News

Disabled Anderson man gets parade for 21st birthday

Posted August 20, 2017 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Matthew Robinette, left, reacts as a parade for his 21st birthday travels past his home in Anderson, Ind., on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Robinette loves loud noises and sirens and his mother Kim Davis-Robinette asked friends to come by and honk their horns. Her request went viral on Facebook and hundreds turned out and the parade lasted for 90 minutes. (Don Knight/The Herald-Bulletin via AP) The Associated Press

ANDERSON, Ind. (AP) - A mother's simple request for friends to drive by and honk for her disabled son's 21st birthday evolved into 90-minute parade with marching bands, dance groups and others.

Mathew Robinette's autism, cerebral palsy and other disabilities have left him unable to speak but he showed his approval at Saturday's turnout in Anderson with smiles, laughs and joyful exclamations as he sat in his wheelchair.

His mother, Kim Davis-Robinette, says her son loves loud noises and sirens, so he was thrilled when a dozen police and fire vehicles, more than 100 motorcycles and hundreds of other vehicles paraded past their home.

Pat Boyer, who helped organize the motorcycles, told The Herald Bulletin it was "just a simple day" for someone with disabilities. He says "he wouldn't have it any other way."

___

Information from: The Herald Bulletin, http://www.theheraldbulletin.com

The Alexandria-Monroe High School marching band performs "Happy Birthday" for Matthew Robinette during a parade for his 21st birthday in front of his Anderson, Ind., home on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. (Don Knight/The Herald-Bulletin via AP) The Associated Press

A school bus is decorated for Matthew Robinette's 21st birthday during a parade for Robinette in Anderson, Ind., on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017. Robinette has multiple disabilities, including cerebral palsy and autism, but he loves loud noises and sirens. (Don Knight/The Herald-Bulletin via AP) The Associated Press

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Indiana News Region

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.