Mum of toddler with autism praises Mothercare for heartwarming gesture

Fair play to them.

The mum of a two year old boy with autism has praised Mothercare for helping her son - who was lost without his favourite pair of shoes. Steph Opogah, mum of a two year old little boy with autism, penned an open letter to the retailer on Facebook this week. She wrote how first purchased the shoes, which had a toadstool and rainbow on them, for her son six months ago. She told how he absolutely loved the shoes, because he does not like the feeling of buckles, socks or wet grass on his feet. She explained:

"Some surfaces he's so sensitive to, he has to be carried. But he loved these shoes. "A little while ago, when his toes were beginning to burst through the side of his favourite shoes, I took him back to Mothercare to try some new ones. "This time, he wouldn't let any other shoes touch his feet. "He became totally overwhelmed and frightened if I attempted to put shoes on. "The whole store was staring at us as his screams reached every corner. "Mothercare no longer sold his favourite shoes, and he wasn't willing to try any others. I was stuck. "I asked at the main desk if I could order some in, but was told that wasn't an option, but I could give head office a call. "So I called them once I got home and relayed my predicament."

Steph rang the head office and said the "kind lady" on the other end of the line said she would do her best to help. One day, she received a box full of the brightly coloured shoes. Steph continued:

"Today this arrived in the post. I am overwhelmed! I called to ask how I pay for them, and Mothercare said they were a gift and that no payment was required. "Struggles like this are a daily occurrence for families with Autism. But the journey is made so much easier when there is kind helping hands and hearts out there."

Her letter has gotten an incredible 121,000 likes and 46,000 shares since it was first posted. A spokesperson for Mothercare told the HuffPost UK:

"We are delighted that Mrs Opogah and her son are happy with their new Little Bird shoes, and are very proud of our employees who took the initiative to arrange this kind gesture.”

Featured image via Facebook.