LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Living in quarantine has taken toll on many and having loved ones who are in the high risk group of contracting COVID-19 has put a strain on our everyday lives.
However, for one Louisville boy he hasn't let any of that bring him down. 13-year-old Brandon Bishop has been at home for nearly six months. Bishop is autistic and has powered through a number of medical battles including a brain tumor removed two years ago.
He's taken this situation of being in the house these last few months and has become an inspiration to his community.
Thanks to his mother Beth, we found out about the hope that her son is spreading in his neighborhood via Nextdoor.
Beth has been buying markers and poster board for her son to create messages of hope for all those in the neighborhood to see.
“He’s been stuck in the house for months and months since March and he said, 'everybody always seems like they’re so sad everybody’s always in a bad mood. I want to make a sign and I want to inspire people to be happy,'” Beth said.
Bishop has been creating this messages for months and he is hoping that they help those who pass to look on the bright side, like he always does.
"Well I started a few months ago and my first sign was called 'don’t give up on hope' and it’s kind of like this one with a lot of colors," said Bishop. “And then my second sign was 'be kind' and my third sign was 'it’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood.'”
His latest message has surely sent smiles to all who pass by.
"'Be the rainbow on a rainy day,'" said Bishop. "Like if you turn a rainbow upside down, it would be a smile."
As a kid who lives with autism and has fought many medical battles, these last few months could have looked very different. Instead, Brandon looked for the rainbow at the end of a rainy day and made sure his neighborhood saw it too.
"It’s important for other people to see him because he could inspire other people to do the same thing," Beth said. "He is my hero and he always will be."
As for Brandon, he will continue spreading cheer and smiles to everyone in neighborhood.
“I really love making these signs because they spread inspiration and it makes other people happy,” Bishop said.
WHAS11 teamed up with Nextdoor to share positive stories from your community. If you have a story you would like to see on Stories from Nextdoor, reach out to Jessie Cohen on Nextdoor, e-mail jcohen@whas11.com or text 'Nextdoor' to 502-582-7290.
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