Disneyland is known as “the happiest place on earth,” and it always finds ways to sprinkle a little extra magic on its visitors. This was especially true for a young boy named Luca and his family during their recent trip to the Anaheim, California, park. Captured in a now-viral TikTok video shared by @thelacouple, the heartwarming moment highlights the incredible power of inclusion.
In the video, Luca, who is deaf, approaches beloved Toy Story characters Woody and Bo Peep. As Luca’s mother, Callie Foster, uses American Sign Language (ASL) to introduce her son, what happens next tugs at everyone’s heartstrings. Bo Peep kneels down, looks Luca in the eye, and uses ASL to say, “Nice to meet you” and “You’re our friend.” Such a seemingly small gesture left a huge impact on Luca and his family.
“It was a small but incredibly touching moment that made us feel the true magic of Disney and its commitment to making every child feel seen, heard, and special,” Luca’s mom shared with Newsweek. The heartfelt moment culminated with Bo Peep signing “I love you” to Luca, ensuring this magical memory would stay with them forever. The video’s emotional resonance has also touched countless viewers worldwide.
This inspiring story is especially poignant in September, as it marks National Deaf Awareness Month. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, around 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children are born with some degree of hearing loss. Advocating for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community is crucial, and stories like Luca’s remind us of the significant impact of simple acts of inclusivity. Even gestures such as facing someone while speaking or using visual aids can make a big difference.
Want to learn some ASL basics? This [resource](https://youtu.be/0FcwzMq4iWg?si=FRE9RpN3NjD3Kti3) offers a great start!
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Source: Raquel Lekic
