Making birthdays happy in midst of emergency
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP » Making lemonade out of lemons. That is what family and friends did for 10-yearold Ryan McCauley on Tuesday when the third-grader from Grace Park Elementary School was forced to cancel his birthday plans.
“We invited our friends and family to drive by to celebrate Ryan’s birthday from a distance. He’s turning 10 today, “said his mom, Kate McCauley. “We just wanted to make it extra special for him because he can’t see everybody. He has been awesome about not having a party. “
Among those turning out to wish him a happy birthday were members of his Ridley Raider youth football team, where Ryan plays defense. Cars rolled up the street and hung out banners wishing him a happy birthday.
With each car Ryan ran out to wave and blow an air horn in celebration.
In addition to his friends, his teacher, his principal, coaches and grandparents all stopped by.
Ryan was scheduled to have a bowling party with friends but when Gov. Tom Wolf’s shutdown took effect, the family was in a bind.
“We ended up not even sending out invitations because we knew what was going to happen,” said his mom. “But in the summer we’re going to have a big party.”
After the drive-by party Ryan had the chance to enjoy cake, ice cream and gifts with his immediate family.
“He was thrilled. Ryan is the coolest kid, he learns differently from a lot of people,” said his mother. “Ryan has ADHD and dyslexia and sees the world very differently so we were worried he would be upset, but he took it in stride. And we’re just hoping he gets a lot of waves and beeps and it makes him smile today, which it did.”