Attention, parents! There’s a worldwide hunt happening right now for a very special sippy cup—a light blue one, to be exact. But not just any light blue sippy cup will do!
Meet Ethan Parker from Devon, England, who is on a mission to find a Tommee Tippee light blue sippy cup for his 13-year-old son, Alex, who has autism. According to Ethan, Alex refuses to drink from any other cup. In a heartfelt plea shared on Twitter, Ethan explained, “Alex hasn’t had a drink at school since he was five, and he won’t sip anything outside the house, which means our outings are pretty limited.” If you think Alex will eventually drink from a different cup, think again. “People say he’ll drink when he’s thirsty, but two trips to the ER for dehydration say otherwise,” Ethan noted.
The catch? This particular Tommee Tippee cup has been discontinued for years. Although Alex has one that’s barely holding together, the power of social media is here to help! Ethan’s tweet has been shared over 18,000 times in just a few days, with people around the globe rummaging through their cabinets for duplicates. Many are using the hashtag #CupsForAlex to assist in the search, and even Tommee Tippee has offered their support.
In a heartwarming twist, numerous individuals have already tweeted that they own the cup and are willing to send it to Alex. To grasp the urgency of this sippy cup saga, one must understand that children with autism often have specific habits that are crucial for their day-to-day functioning. These preferences can be intense, and for many kids, they’re not just about comfort—they’re essential.
“We’re genuinely living in fear of losing this little blue cup,” Alex told PEOPLE. “Last time it went missing at school for 24 hours, we didn’t sleep a wink because we were terrified he wouldn’t drink.”
While offers for cups are pouring in, Ethan knows that they’ll likely need several more as time goes on. He provided an update on Twitter, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support and realizing that Alex’s needs are unlikely to change. “I’m going to need these for the rest of his life. That’s a lot of cups,” he said.
It’s clear this story demonstrates the strength of community and kindness. Can you lend a hand to Ethan and Alex? Let’s keep this search alive! If you think you have the cup, you can tweet Ethan at @EthanParker or Tommee Tippee at @tommeetippee_uk, or simply use the hashtag #CupsForAlex. If you don’t have the cup but still want to help, consider sharing this article to spread the word far and wide.
Speaking of sharing, if you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this helpful resource on treating infertility or explore options on at-home insemination kits. And remember, for more insights into navigating parenthood, be sure to read our terms and conditions.
Summary
Ethan Parker is on a quest to find a discontinued Tommee Tippee light blue sippy cup for his son Alex, who has autism and refuses to drink from anything else. Their story has gone viral, with thousands helping in the search. This highlights the importance of community support and understanding the needs of children with autism.