Manitoba man living with autism fulfills dream of being Santa for community

‘He means a lot to the community’ 25-year-old Holden Whall lives with autism and got his Christmas wish to be Santa in the Petersfield parade.

A 25-year-old Manitoba man with a deep love for the holiday season had his Christmas dream come true over the weekend.

On Sunday, Holden Whall, who lives with autism, got to dress up as Santa for his community of Petersfield.

“It makes everybody happy,” he said. “I really like to do it every year.”

Just a few days before Holden’s big day, his mom, Holly Whall, put out a call on Facebook, asking community members to brave the cold and come out to see Santa Holden cruising along Netley Creek.

Holden’s community not only showed up for him in droves but also helped to create a path and get everything ready for the parade. He said the support felt amazing.

“I really appreciated everybody coming out to see Santa Holden and it was wonderful,” Holden said.

Holden’s parents said their son lives the Christmas spirit every day of the year through his love of holiday decorations and his constant goal of spreading joy.

“I don’t know how he does it, but the magic of Christmas lives in his heart,” Holly said.

“This community that I live in, that we live in, Petersfield, supports our family, supporting our son.”

They added that the love and acceptance that Petersfield shows to their son is the greatest gift of all.

“He’s loved and accepted, and he’s enjoyed for who he is and not what the world expects him to be,” Holly said.

“It takes a village and thank God we got a village.”