Brighton Boy Suffering From Serious Illnesses Gets Thousands Of Birthday Cards

By Tom Jordan
@TomJordanNews

BRIGHTON (WWJ) - "Thank you!" Those words from a Brighton, Michigan boy to thousands of people around the world who surprised him with scores of birthday cards and gifts on his 11th birthday.

"This is great," said Dominic Tyner, Jr., whose parents arranged a surprise campaign earlier this year for people to send Dominic birthday well wishes.

"This was far beyond what we imagined," said Dominic's dad, Dominic Tyner, Sr. "We thought maybe he'd get a couple hundred cards. Instead, he got thousands from across the country and beyond."

WWJ first told you about Dominic Tyner, Jr. and his fight against two rare diseases in February. Since then, the Brighton Post Office has been receiving gifts, cards and letters from as far away as Japan and Australia - all addressed to Little D, as his parents call him.

"The idea has been in the works since January," says Dominic, Sr.

Little D wasn't expecting much. His friendships have dwindled over the past couple years, since his diagnosis of two serious diseases have kept him homebound, home schooled, and coping.

One highlight of his day-to-day routine -- Dominic has always loved getting mail. So today's visit from the postal service was the perfect surprise.

Thousands of birthday cards and presents were stuffed inside. They never dreamed he'd get this much, from so many people, from all over the world. Entire classrooms of kids from Kansas and California sent cards telling Little D how important his life is to them.

The post delivery is completed, the truck has driven away ... a lot lighter. So is Dominic - his spirit soaring. He enjoyed the best way to kick off his 11th year of life: surrounded by family and scores of new friends.