This world is far from being fully accommodating of people with disabilities, as 9-year-old Evan McCure learned early in his life. The Goodyear, Arizona boy has had a hard time making friends because of his autism. “They always leave me out and say things like, ‘You should have never existed,’” said Evan about his classmates.
But last Christmas, the fifth grader got the best present ever: Hazel the service dog.
Back in September of last year, Evan’s family worked to raise the $18,000 needed to train Hazel and bring her home to Evan, who always played alone because he had no friends who accepted him despite his autism. Finally, with the help of many kind donors, the McCure family was able to surprise Evan with his special new best friend the day after Christmas.
“I won’t have to be sad every day,” Evan said happily as he petted Hazel.
