BENTON, AR. — Like most teens, 16-year old Hunter is getting ready for school. 

This year, he’ll have to bring an oxygen tank with him to school for health reasons, something he’s not too thrilled about. 
Last month his mom, Amy Wilson decided to share a post enlisting others to give Hunter a little bit of encouragement. 

“I was trying to make it something to take the stigma away instead of trying to punish him,” said Wilson. “It’s something he really needs because of his health.”
Although he enjoys video games and going to Monster Truck shows, Hunter has a complicated set of health issues. 

Hunter was born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, chronic lung disease, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, he has trouble hearing and is ventilator dependent. 

“Saying all that you’d think he has a lot of issues, but he’s a pretty typical kid,” says Wilson. Hunter has to speak through sign-language and tells  us he’s not a fan of having to use oxygen. 

To ease his worries Amy turned to social media with a single post and a hashtag – #HelpMakeOxygenCool. 

Over 500 shares later and people from Arkansas to South Africa have offered Hunter words and pictures of encouragement. 

 “It made me feel good that other people cared that he was concerned about it”

Wilson says it’s one thing to have complete strangers offer help, but quite a bit different when students at his school took time to share as well. 

In one post, a student says “With all of us as a school, we can help make him feel more comfortable because one smile goes a long way!”

“I think they’ll take away the stigma because  they were educated and they want to make sure he’s included.”

With so much support in less than a month, Wilson believes Hunter won’t have to feel different when school starts later this month. 

She tells us she never imagined her son’s infectious smile would cross the county line, let alone oceans.  And for that, she’s grateful. 

“I think he’ll do alright this year.”

You can help give Hunter encouragement too by sharing the hashtag:  #HelpMakeOxygenCool on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.