She was being bullied at summer camp — until mom showed up with her bestie

After a difficult year that nearly took her dad away, her mom enrolled her in a summer camp, hoping it would offer a break from the weight of the past. The story was shared on 17th June, 2025, in a video posted by @miimii.mora on Instagram, where she explained how things took a turn when her autistic daughter, Maya, began getting bullied for being different. "She absolutely loved the camp," her mother said, "but unfortunately, a few kids started calling her hurtful names." The video has since garnered over 260,000 views and 7,000 likes.

Wanting to protect Maya’s emotional development, she contacted the mother of Maya's best friend, Bentley, to see if he could join the camp too. The two children hadn’t seen each other in nearly a year. Since Maya was usually surrounded by friends who were also on the spectrum, the shift to a new and less understanding group has been difficult for her. Bringing Bentley back into the picture was not only a reunion, but also a reminder that she didn’t have to face this alone.

The video shows Maya standing during morning drop-off as her mother is taking her picture, unaware of what’s coming. The moment she sees Bentley approaching, her entire expression shifts. He walks up and hands her a small gift — a toy — and without needing many words, the two reconnect instantly. "She has been having an amazing time with him. Honestly, when she’s around him, it feels like no one else exists," her mother said. By the end of the clip, the two were seen walking into camp side by side, holding hands and carrying matching yellow camp shirts. This one gesture, executed with just one message and a bit of planning, made a huge difference in Maya's life.

This reflects what research has found: that even when bullying happens, the presence of a close, trusted friend can make all the difference. A study of 224 autistic youths (ages 15–25) found that peer victimization, such as bullying and name-calling, was common, but those who reported higher satisfaction with friendship support experienced noticeably fewer depressive symptoms, even in the face of ongoing mistreatment. In this case, Bentley's presence helped restore Maya's confidence, giving her a safe anchor at a time when she was starting to withdraw.

Many viewers were visibly moved by the beautiful moment. @ashctually.nailed.it commented, "Someone tell me in 15 years when they’re married. I’m invested." @annaleamalia wrote, "You can see it in that last smile, it’s so cute." @celesssttee said, "I was like, 'She reminds me of Coraline!’ And then I saw her backpack." @camrock93 added, "The way she smiles when she hears he’s going to camp with you — my whole heart can’t handle it." @avagrace0428 noted, "She’s so beautiful. She was so excited. God bless that boy and your beautiful daughter." @chloe.orner chimed in, "Her PURE smile at the end during the picture with her friend. You immediately see the difference because she didn’t even want to smile with her teeth at first."

You can follow Autism Mom to MLM (@miimii.mora) on Instagram for more videos of her daily life.