Vehicles of all ages, shapes, sizes, colours and horsepower formed to wish Jonathan Fidek a happy 20th birthday. Motorcycles coming down the street two-by-two were cool too.

In these COVID times, his parents, Susan and Scott Fidek, were looking for a way for their son to celebrate. Susan Fidek asked friends on Facebook how their special needs children were celebrating birthdays.

“Usually we would take Jonathan bowling or to a movie or invite some friends over. With COVID, that wasn’t possible with Jonathan’s high medical needs. They mentioned that there have been birthday parades going around, so I figured ‘OK, I will try to see what I can arrange.’”

Jonathan is a big fan of NASCAR racing and often attends races at the Wyant Group Raceway. While he also likes attending Rush and Blades games, auto racing is extra special, his mother said.

A friend suggested Fidek arrange a parade with cars that weren’t the everyday variety.

“That’s what I did. I called around or emailed around and I contacted the Shrine Club, and they said they had lots of friends and members in the Classic Car Club that would love to join.

“And friends spread the word around, and friends of friends to anybody they knew who had classic cars.”

It was a site to behold when much of the convoy seemingly magically formed near Boychuk Drive and made its way past Jonathan’s home. Susan and Scott stood close to their son as the cars passed. Neighbours came out of their houses to watch. It was like a mini-Cruise Night.

“It was awesome how the community came together,” Susan Fidek said.

In a text, Don Cousins, a long-time member of the Shrine Club, put it perfectly. “I think it is so wonderful when we can send a little sunshine into the life of others who are not quite as fortunate as ourselves.”

The Shriners and all the others that participated brought more than a little sunshine that evening.

Cousins’ 1955 Buick was among the beautifully restored cars in the parade. Jonathan loved them all. “I looked down at him numerous times and when I saw Jonathan’s face light up and smile like he normally does when he likes something, it brought tears to my eyes, because I’m like ‘Yes, he’s enjoying this.’”

Fidek said Jonathan might have had a slight bias to the ones that stopped and revved their engines. Muscle cars can steal a show. “And there was one green car that had this weird sounding horn. That brought a smile to his face, because it was a different kind of a sound.”

Jonathan has ultra-rare genetic condition called MCT8 Deficiency, also known as Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome. The syndrome only affects boys.

“My brother had it as well and he passed away at age 10,” Susan Fidek said. “So, for Jonathan to reach age 20 is a huge celebration in itself. We are blessed every day we get to spend with him. “His personality and smiles have reached many people’s hearts over the years, and I think that is another reason why so many friends and family were eager to help out with his Birthday Parade Celebration.”

Fidek said the parade, with the vehicles passing by the house twice, meant the world to her. “I was crying seeing Jonathan react to it. It warmed my heart how everybody came together to do this for him. I am so grateful. I am crying just reliving it. It was amazing.”

-Cam Hutchinson