Hey parents, take a peek in your cupboards! There’s an urgent global hunt underway for a very special sippy cup—a light blue one, to be exact. But this isn’t just any light blue sippy cup.
Meet Dave Anderson from Devon, England, who needs your help tracking down a Tommee Tippee light blue sippy cup for his 13-year-old son, Jake, who has autism. According to Dave, Jake won’t drink from anything else. In a heartfelt plea on Twitter, he shared, “Jake hasn’t had a sip at school since he was five, and he won’t drink outside the house, which makes outings impossible.” For those hoping Jake will eventually drink from a different cup, think again: “People say he’ll drink when thirsty, but two trips to the ER for severe dehydration say otherwise,” Dave explained.
The challenge? This particular Tommee Tippee cup has been out of production for years. While Jake has one that’s still holding on, it’s starting to fall apart. Thanks to the power of social media, Dave’s tweet has been shared over 18,000 times in just a few days.
Individuals from every corner of the globe are rummaging through their cabinets for duplicates of this elusive cup, using the hashtag #CupsForJake to assist in the search. Even Tommee Tippee has jumped on board to lend a hand via Twitter. Amazingly, within days, multiple users tweeted that they have the cup and are willing to send it to Jake.
To grasp the significance of this sippy cup mission, it’s essential to recognize that children with autism often have specific routines and preferences that are crucial to their comfort and daily functioning. These habits aren’t just quirks—they’re necessary for many kids. As Jake put it to PEOPLE, “This little blue cup runs our lives. We’re terrified to take it out because losing it would be a disaster. It went missing at school once for 24 hours, and we didn’t sleep because we knew Jake wouldn’t drink anything, and we were genuinely scared.”
The cups being offered are just a starting point; realistically, Jake will need several more over time. As these cups become scarcer, Dave is committed to securing as many as he can right now. He posted an update on Twitter, thanking everyone for their incredible support. He also mentioned, “The reality is, Jake is unlikely to change, so I’ll need these cups for the rest of his life. That’s a lot of cups.”
Hundreds, if not thousands, may be needed. But with the power of kindness and teamwork, this challenge may not be insurmountable after all.
Can you lend a hand to Dave and Jake? Let’s keep spreading the word! If you think you have this cup, tweet Dave at @DaveAProject or Tommee Tippee at @tommeetippee_uk, or use the hashtag #CupsForJake. Even if you don’t have the cup, sharing this post can help reach more people.
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Summary
Dave Anderson is on a mission to find a discontinued Tommee Tippee light blue sippy cup for his son Jake, who has autism and needs it to drink. The search has gone viral, with social media users offering their support and scouring their homes for duplicates. This heartwarming story highlights the importance of specific routines for children with autism, demonstrating how collective kindness can make a difference.