When a little girl named Lex heard a classmate call her little brother, Frank, who has autism “weird,” she sprung into action.
In fact, Lex, 6, decided to write a letter to her teachers at her school in England, asking that they help her fellow students better understand disabilities — a letter that is now gaining viral attention, as The Huffington Post reported.
“On Monday I felt very sad because a girl in my class said that my brother was weird,” the letter reads. “My brother has autism and is not weird and I would like it if could learn about all disabilities in schools so that everybody understand that some people are different but we should all be treated the same.”
The public quickly reacted to the heartwarming message after Lex’s mother, Sophie Camilleri, posted the note to her Facebook page, expressing how proud she was of her daughter for taking a stand in defense of her 9-year-old sibling.
“I’m so very proud that Lex has this view and wants to change the way other children view others with disabilities,” the mother wrote on her Facebook post, going on to tell BuzzFeed more about the catalyst that sparked the little girl’s note.
According to Camilleri, Lex felt the need to inform the little girl who called Frank weird that he brother is autistic; her classmate reportedly didn’t know that autism is a disability. Then, she wanted to write to her teachers as well.
The Facebook post revealing the letter was shared tens of thousands of times, with Camilleri saying she was stunned by its reach and impact.
“(Lex) loves hearing all of the lovely things that people are saying,” she told BuzzFeed. “I don’t think she quite understand how much of an impact her letter had made though.”
Camilleri said she’s sad some people aren’t educated about disabilities, saying she believes education and awareness would help change things.
In addition to garnering thousands of shares, other parents also responded enthusiastically to the original Facebook post.
“My daughter is 3 and my son is 9 and is Autistic. I can only hope my daughter has the same compassion and drive as yours,” one commenter wrote, according to CBS News.
Another added, “You must be proud. Wish more children and adults had your attitude.”
Others expressed their sadness that some were “uncaring” and judged others, but were encouraged by Lex’s response.
(H/T: Huffington Post)