There’s nothing quite like the feeling of opening your mailbox and finding a college acceptance letter inside. Kurt Kinley of Normal, Illinois, wasn’t sure he would ever get to experience that moment. The 20-year-old has Down syndrome, and his early life was fraught with medical issues. Yet as he grew up, his older siblings, Glenn and Kelsey, were role models for him.
Inspired by his loved ones, Kurt applied to a two-year program at Heartland Community College that is designed for adults with special needs. His mom Michele recorded the moment when he opened his acceptance letter, and his reaction has us in tears!
“I’m in! Yes!” he shouted. Moments later, he broke down in tears of pure joy. He later sent the video to Glenn, who currently lives in Kansas. The proud big brother immediately posted it on Twitter, where it went viral.
“I always assumed I would go to college. My parents did, too,” Glenn said. “I don’t think Kurt ever assumed he would go to college, so it’s a pretty big deal for him. He was pretty fired up about it.”
Glenn hopes this victory will show other parents who have children with special needs that college is within reach for them, too! Check out Kurt’s big celebration below, and be sure to share this story to make someone smile.
Got a call from my little brother recently. I could tell he was fighting back tears when I answered. “Glenn, I’m going to college.”He just found out he got accepted into a Community College program for students with special needs. Here’s the moment he found out. pic.twitter.com/X7Xn3evbWU
– Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) July 3, 2021
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