Mom thanks Disney World’s Snow White for embracing son with autism: ‘My heart is full’

Elise Solé
Updated
A crying boy with autism was comforted by Snow White at Walt Disney World. (Photo: Courtesy of Lauren Bergner)
A crying boy with autism was comforted by Snow White at Walt Disney World. (Photo: Courtesy of Lauren Bergner)

Snow White sprinkled her magic on a boy with autism at Disney World, and his mom will never forget the moment.

Lauren Bergner and her husband just ended a 10-day trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., with their three sons, Billy, 14, Jake, 9, and Brody, 6, who has autism and is non-verbal. Although the New Jersey family used the theme park’s disability access to move quickly through lines at Epcot on Sunday, exhaustion hit Brody while waiting to meet Snow White and he burst into tears.

“When it was our turn, Brody looked at Snow White and suddenly put his head in her lap,” Bergner tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “She kissed his head and said, ‘Let’s go for a walk.’”

The mom paused — Brody tends to run away, so she was unsure of whether or not to supervise. “I decided to let them go and she starts dancing with him,” Bergner tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “My husband and I were crying.”

Snow White took her time with Brody, despite a long line of fans. Many visitors clapped and took photos of the obvious connection between the boy and princess.

Bergner wrote about her son’s new friendship with the princess on Facebook. “I am so emotional with these pictures!! Brody was having a meltdown. It was our turn to take pictures with her and he wanted nothing to do with it! Snow White could tell Brody had special needs! She took him for a walk and got him time away from the crowd!! This is true magic!”

She also sent an email to Disney World writing, “Snow White was amazing with him...she went above and beyond!! She took so much time with him. She was a pure angel! She was magical and my family is forever thankful and touched!”

The mom asked for the opportunity to personally thank Snow White. “I am thankful these moments were captured,” she wrote. “My heart is full.”

On Wednesday night, the family returned to the Caribbean Beach Disney Hotel from a day of activities, and found a framed and autographed photo of Snow White and Brody. The hotel manager also gave Brody a Snow White pin.

Bergner says watching the photos at Disney World makes her son smile. “She treated him like a typical kid,” she tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “She showed him love, compassion, and kindness. She was magical.”

A Disney spokesperson tells Yahoo Lifestyle, “Making magic for all of our guests is what makes a Disney vacation so special. Snow White was so happy to bond with Brody in a heartfelt way and be able to share this moment with him and his family.”

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