The 6 Degrees of Separation “is the idea that everyone is on average approximately six steps away,by way of introduction, from any other person in the world,” (Wikipedia). Well this weekend I had an experience that reminded me just how connected perfect strangers can be. So this is my story of the 4 Degrees of Separation…
Friday I was poking around on my Autism Onion Facebook page and I saw this post from another blogger in my news feed. Because They Chose Us is a parent’s blog about life with their autistic daughter, Allbri, and son Kingston who has Aspergers.
You see, as it turns out, my husband’s good friend works on the television show The Biggest Loser. And after seeing this post, my first thought was, “How can I help get this little girl an autographed picture?” So, we sent a screen capture of the above Facebook post to our friend, and within minutes he replied that he was getting Jillian’s autograph at that very moment. Our friend happened to be right there with Jillian, showed her the post, and she happily signed a picture for Allbri. I was so excited I could barely wait to e-mail the family and let them know! I mean, I had hoped our friend would be able to pull some strings to get a picture. But I certainly didn’t expect such an immediate response!
So I wrote the family that I had seen the post. I explained my connection with Biggest Loser, and shared that I had been able to ask a friend to get a picture signed, ready to send to them. I also noted how strange it must be that a random internet stranger was e-mailing them about this. They e-mailed me back and shared how touched they were to get my message, and how happy it made them. We wrote a few more messages back and forth, marveling at the wonders of how connected the ASD community is. So, little Allbri will have her signed picture from Jillian Michaels in time for her birthday.
This is an excerpt from a post the family wrote: “Anyone that knows me in real life knows that it takes A LOT to make me speechless. When I read this email from this stranger, another fellow blogger, I cried […] because Allbri, my beautiful girl mattered to someone. Allbri mattered to someone who hadn’t even laid eyes on her. The Autistic Onion isn’t a stranger, or a fellow blogger. I should have known this; we are all on these pages for a reason. She is a human, a real person, someone who lives autism like us. She is a sister, a friend, a wife, an advocate. The Autistic Onion opened my eyes and my heart; she has shown me that all the way up in North Dakota, a little girl matters.”
So I’m sitting here, still smiling at how connected we all are, especially in the autism community. This family lives 1800 miles away from me. And yet, one Facebook post, and a favor from a friend later, we have impacted each others lives. We reminded each other of the humanity behind autism blogs and Facebook “likes”. We reminded each other that we’re all in this together.
From the post–> to me –>to my husband’s friend –>to Jillian. It’s amazing how intertwined people are, even without ever meeting or speaking! I love a feel-good story, and this is sure one of them 🙂 Our friend was SO wonderful to spring into action right away and get Allbri a signed picture. He is the one who made this happen. I was just the messenger. And I’m so grateful Jillian was so kind and wanted to help make this little girl’s birthday special 🙂 Jillian rocks!
Stay tuned for the follow up when Allbri actually opens the picture! And in the meantime, check out Because They Chose Us on their Facebook page, and their blog .
theautismonion.com 
Hello.
Thank you so much for sharing this story! I was inspired by your article. My name is Danny Alvarez. I actually work for Jillian Michaels. I am the Project Manager for her company. I’d like to pay forward your kind act with some Jillian product as a thank you for being an awesome person. Pls respond to the email I’ve included and we’ll continue the conversation. Thanks!
– Danny