Man Uses Twitter To Locate Obscure VHS Tape For Autistic Son
Are you ready for a feel-good story? Get ready to grab the tissues. Recently, James Dutton took to Twitter for a special request. The dad tweeted out, “Does anyone have or know of anyone who may still have this VHS? My severely autistic son Thomas has written it on his Xmas list…please let me know!”
Does anyone have or know of anyone who may still have this VHS? My severely autistic son Thomas has written it on his Xmas list...please let me know! pic.twitter.com/wAnE93dbMv
— James Dutton (@jdutton69) November 12, 2017
Attached to the social media post was a photo of Postman Pat’s Prize Postbag. The character is from a British stop-motion series, which follows a postman on his deliveries.
Within moments, the Ruislip, London local has thousands of retweets. Especially when his brother who, according to HuffPost, has over 10K followers decided to spread the message. His message to find this particular VHS spread like wildfire. People throughout Europe were attempting to locate a copy of the episode.
According to HuffPost UK, James said, “I didn’t imagine when I posted my original tweet yesterday that it would gain quite so much momentum. My son Thomas loved watching ‘Postman Pat’ as well as many of the other children’s characters when he was smaller.”
https://twitter.com/rachybabessss/status/930041138924478465
I did have it at my grandmas I will ask the to look into the attic for you! If I can find it it's yours!
— Jamie (@DozsyD) November 13, 2017
The father continued, “Now he is always watching them on YouTube but loves having the old VHS boxes as well. He’s been obsessed since he was 18 months old.”
If you look through the Twitter responses, people offered to check attics, Grandma’s house, and even contact Cbeebies – the network of the television series.
@jdutton69 I have a copy!! Replied on your other tweet but not sure if it'll get lost amongst so many replies. Our box of old videos was in the hall on the way to the charity shop after a clear out of the loft at the weekend! Dm me your address & I can post it to you 😀 pic.twitter.com/5LkKUXg6a3
— Jill (@jilly284) November 14, 2017
James received a lot of responses, but it was one Twitter user named Jill who came to the rescue. She replied, “I have a copy!! Replied on your other tweet but not sure if it’ll get lost amongst so many replies. Our box of old videos was in the hall on the way to the charity shop after a clear out of the lost at the weekend! Dm me your address & I can post it to you.”
YES!!!!! Thank you SO much!!! How wonderful!x
— James Dutton (@jdutton69) November 14, 2017
STOP PRESS!! Thanks to wonderful @jilly284 seeing a retweet from @BrendanCole a copy's been found! The response has been absolutely overwhelming and I'm so grateful to everyone for taking the time to give advice, or search in attics! The heartwarming side of human nature ❤️
— James Dutton (@jdutton69) November 14, 2017
Thanks to Jill and the power of the internet, Thomas is going to have an amazing Christmas!
Sarah is a Hufflepuff living in NYC. When she is not traveling or talking to random animals, she is working as a script writer. Tweet her at @lumpyspacederp
