McDonald’s Employee Goes Above and Beyond for Autistic Boy

The smallest acts an go a long way. Just ask Bonnie Kandel, a mom who recently shared a story of a McDonald’s employee going above and beyond for her special needs son.

In the story, shared on the Love What Matters Facebook, Kandel began by explaining that her son Leif — who is on the autism spectrum and can become obsessively fixated with things — recently became enraptured by the Teen Titans toys available in McDonald’s recent Happy Meal promotion.

Bonnie Kandel goes on to explain that after several weeks of her son’s fixation, she took him to the restaurant to get one of the toys, however things didn’t go according to plan.

“We ordered and asked about the coveted Teen Titans toys that were displayed on a kiosk. They had run out, no more left. They were now on to Batman. Leif was devastated.”

Kandel, desperate to provide the toys for her son, pleaded with McDonalds to let her have the display models of the toys.

“I explained more about Leif and why it was so important to him….that he had been talking about these toys nonstop for weeks.”

Initially she met with little success, however an employee named TQ heard her pleas and offered to dismantle the display case so Leif could have the toys. The franchise’s manager was initially reluctant to allow it, however TQ’s persistence paid off and the boss allowed her to go through with her plan.

According to Kandel’s post, TQ’s actions went over as well as one would expect.

“He (Leif) was overjoyed and has been playing with them for HOURS! McDonalds, I hope you know how lucky you are to have such a sweet woman on your staff. Someone who takes special care of their customers, someone who goes well above and beyond.”

She closed with a message for TQ and the rest of the restaurant’s staff.

“Thank you, TQ, at the 10th and Girls School Road McDonalds in Speedway, IN. These simple happy meal toys mean so much! Your effort was an expression of love and made a difference.”

Since being posted on February 6, Bonnie Kandel’s post has taken off, gaining over 3,000 shares and nearly 45,000 Facebook reactions.

Your Daily Dish spoke to McDonald’s, who told us, “We are lovin’ it and proud of how TQ went that extra mile to create a special feel good moment for this family. She is an example of how at McDonald’s we try every day to put our customers at the center of everything we do.”