Reddit Users Surprise Terminally Ill Man With Random Acts of Kindness

• Lan wrote on 2012-05-15 21:09
  [Image: http://6.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/scott-widak-mash-640.jpg]

  Scott Widak and his family recently received the greatest gift anyone in their situation could receive — a viral act of encouragement and kindness from complete strangers.
  
  Widak, 47, has Down syndrome and is terminally ill with liver disease. After frequently checking in and out of the hospital, Widak is now at home with his 85-year-old mother, who’s helping with his in-home hospice care.
  
  To cope with such a challenging situation, Widak’s nephew, Sean O’Connor, turned to the Reddit community to see if anyone would be interested in sending a letter to his uncle.
  
  “One of my uncle’s favorite things to do is open mail, and I thought that if he got a lot of mail it would cheer him up,” says O’Connor.
  
  Within three hours, the post received more than 1,300 comments, most of which expressed interest in sending mail. O’Connor then included a link to a news article about Widak and his art, along with two photos of him and his mother, a P.O. box address and a few things he’s interested in, like Johnny Cash.
  
  Due to the amount of personal information, Reddit removed the post four hours later — which was apparently enough time for most of the commenters to copy the address.
  
  Following the post, Widak received hundreds of letters from all over the world, including the United States, Sweden, Finland, Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and Mexico. According to O’Connor, there is still mail coming in.
  
  In addition to beautifully written letters, Reddit users have sent custom artwork, art supplies, DVDs and personal keepsakes that they wanted to pass on to Widak.
  
  Sony Music Entertainment sent him 15 CDs/DVDs, which were mostly by Johnny Cash.
  
  “The mail that’s arrived has all been extremely positive and thoughtful,” says O’Connor. “My family and I are amazed at how so many strangers could come together for a random act of kindness.”
  
  O’Connor and his family have shared these images of Widak and the overwhelming amount of mail he’s received.

  
  

  [Image: http://8.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/reddit-does-a-good-deed-2/11.jpg]

  [Image: http://6.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/reddit-does-a-good-deed-2/7.jpg]

  [Image: http://8.mshcdn.com/wp-content/gallery/reddit-does-a-good-deed-2/15.jpg]

  
  
  http://mashable.com/2012/05/13/reddit-terminally-ill-man/#view_as_one_page-gallery_box5519
• Xxazurekitex wrote on 2012-05-15 21:12
  Ah how nice.
  
  Just goes to show the world isn't all that bad...
• Cannibal wrote on 2012-05-15 21:15
  Oh, wow... this is really touching.
• Excalibur wrote on 2012-05-15 21:27
  Hm, I want his mail... I wonder how many lies it would take for me to receive gifts as those.
  
  Also, this chrome extension killed it for me, I'm using a chrome extension that adds a mustache to everyone's face, doesn't completely work, but it gets some of the job done.
  
  

  [Image: http://i.minus.com/iXGjM8hrziDeK.png]
• Cynic wrote on 2012-05-15 22:27
  That's very touching indeed.
  
  Hopefully nobody decides to be a dick and sends the guy hate mail, though.
• Claudia wrote on 2012-05-15 22:55
  That's so sweet. It's stuff like that that brings a tear to my eye and makes me want to become a nurse more than ever.
• Kollin wrote on 2012-05-15 23:05
  And some people say the internet is full of nothing but rapists and other horrible people.
• crazygameguy wrote on 2012-05-15 23:06
  If i could send him something I would. I am a nice person and can do stuff like that all the time.
• Episkey wrote on 2012-05-16 00:10

  Quote from Cynic;864632:

  
  Hopefully nobody decides to be a dick and sends the guy hate mail, though.

  
  
  This was my main concern. I guess they had to filter through the messages to see if anyone wrote or gave anything inflammatory.
  I'm sure there was that one person that did something like that.
  
  But, that was a really nice gesture and a nice surprise!~
• Bride wrote on 2012-05-16 01:03
  Awwww :)
  
  

  Quote from Xxazurekitex;864601:

  Ah how nice.
  
  Just goes to show the world isn't all that bad...

  
  exactly how I feel
• ♪ wrote on 2012-05-16 02:10
  Brought a tear to my eye
• Sinsie wrote on 2012-05-16 02:29
  I remember when 4chan did this. Can't help but think this is one big meta-joke.
• Rin wrote on 2012-05-16 04:19
  Where was I? I could have wrote him some mail.
  
  Only costs $5 for a get-well card and shipping! Definitely worth it to bring some happiness to this family.