Autistic child gets cards, gifts after birthday party upset

After only two kids showed up to their autistic son’s 10th birthday party, Aaron and Kayla Sippel were searching for a way to make him feel better after a disappointing day.

Aaron posted on Facebook, asking people to send birthday cards to Andrew.

“Just to boost his self esteem a little bit, trying to make him realize that he didn’t do nothing wrong,” Kayla said.

Now, not only has Andrew received more than 70 cards, he’s gotten an array of gifts, from a Nintendo Switch and footballs to Packers posters and cookies.

“It’s been more than incredible,” Kayla said. “I’m at a loss for words.”

Aaron and Kayla planned a May 14 Green Bay Packers-themed birthday party for Andrew, a fourth-grader at Cass Street School in Milwaukee.

He loves football and dreams of playing for Louisiana State University, Aaron said.

“He screams at the TV during Packers games,” Kayla said, adding: “He’s like his mother.”

Around 50 people were invited and about 20 were expected, they said.

Kayla said she spent that whole morning in the kitchen, making chicken and beef tacos, Puerto Rican rice, nachos, taco dip and homemade chips. They also got a sheet cake.

“Andrew was really excited,” Aaron said. As the time for the party came and went, they played ladder toss, cornhole and catch with Andrew outside. Eventually, Andrew “gave up and went inside,” Aaron said.

Only two adults and two kids ended up coming, he said.

“He was devastated,” Kayla said. “He felt like he had no friends, he felt like nobody wanted to come play with him.”

Andrew is someone “who gets overly excited for just about anything,” is always smiling, incredibly smart, a ton of fun and “a really sweet, good kid,” Kayla said. Later that night while Aaron and Kayla were going over what had happened, Aaron decided to post in a Milwaukee-area buy, sell and trade Facebook group, explaining the situation and offering up an exchange: Good karma for birthday cards for his son.

The response was enormous.

“It’s gone way beyond anything that we could have ever possibly imagined,” Kayla said.

Activist Vaun Mayes was one person who shared a screenshot of the post.

“If anything involves children that we have the opportunity to do, we try to do it,” Mayes said.

After collecting contributions, Mayes hand-delivered cards and presents to Andrew earlier this week.

“It was pretty dope,” Mayes said. “He’s quite a person. He’s funny. He was happy about it. It touched a lot of people. We’re glad we could do it.”

So what does Andrew think of all of his new cards and toys? “It’s great!” he said.

Kayla is taping all of Andrew’s cards onto a wall in their home, which she’s calling the “The Wall of Blessings.” Andrew has also received virtual well wishes from people as far away as Texas.

“Aaron and I kind of keep to ourselves for the most part,” Kayla said. “So, to have a response like this and have total strangers come try to help us and help Andrew as far as letting him know he’s got people behind him, it means the world.”

Birthday cards for Andrew can be sent to 2324 E. Belleview Place, Milwaukee.

SUBMITTED People from the Milwaukee community and beyond have been sending Andrew Sippel, 10, cards and gifts after only a few people showed up to his recent birthday party.