IT can be quite heartbreaking for kids and their parents when the children miss out on a birthday party invitation.
A Mandurah mum has decided to heal this heartbreak and host a birthday party for children who don’t get invited to parties.
Behavioural issues caused by ADHD meant Nikki Hogan’s eight-year-old son Dominic Hogan struggled to be accepted socially and was rarely invited to birthday parties.
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READ NOWWhen Ms Hogan asked Dominic if he would like a birthday party this year, he sadly told her no, because he had no friends.
“But then he came to me and said what about other kids like me? Kids who don’t get invited to parties,” Ms Hogan said.
This was the inspiration Ms Hogan and Dominic needed to host a birthday party for all those children.
Initially Ms Hogan was going to pay for the entire party herself.
But when she posted the event to social media, many businesses came forward to offer their services for free or for part payment.
Ms Hogan said it was important for children to experience at least one birthday party.
“It’s about the memories they make,” she said. “One mum who came to the party had two kids who are highly allergic and never get invited because of the food. But this mum takes their food everywhere with her.
“They would still enjoy going to a party.”
Ms Hogan was saddened to read an English father’s viral Facebook post recently where he blasted his friends for not inviting his autistic son to birthday parties.
“I would like him to know there are other people who think about children like him,” she said.
“His post was a good thing because it’ll make people think about what these kids and families go through.”
More than 45 children turned up to Dominic’s birthday party at the weekend.
Everyone was welcome regardless of age, disabilities or gender.
They enjoyed all the things that make a birthday party great, including face painting, cake, ice cream, hot dogs, a bouncy castle, fairy floss and rides.
Ms Hogan said she would like to make this an annual event.
“Dominic was a bit overwhelmed initially, but became excited when it came to the cake,” she said.