Boy with severe autism wishes for birthday cards

BIG BEAR CITY, Calif. -- A boy with severe autism in Big Bear, California has just one birthday wish: birthday cards.

Like many boys his age, Ryan Fritsinger can spend hours building Legos into cars, houses and whatever his imagination comes up with.

But unlike most boys his age, Ryan has a difficult time building friendships.

"It breaks my heart that he cries every other day. He's crying, he rides his bike around our neighborhood and he can't find anyone to play with," Lori Fritsinger, Ryan's mother said.

Ryan, who was born with severe autism, struggles with social skills and his three younger brothers are his only playmates.

"Every birthday it's a heartbreak because we try to do birthday parties and no body shows," Ryan's mother said.

Ryan will turn 11 on Aug. 5, but this year, his mother wants to make his birthday day wish come true.

She reached out to our sister station in Los Angeles, KABC, asking for help.

"Please send a birthday card, a drawing, art work, something saying, 'Hey Ryan, I'm your friend or I want to be your friend,'" Lori Fritsinger said.

Ryan may not have a house full of friends to celebrate his birthday, but his mother hopes that a room full of birthday cards will come close.

"Seeing him open those cards and smiling and laughing, yeah, it's going to bring a big smile to my heart," she said.

If you'd like to send Ryan a birthday card, you can mail them to:

Lisa Nelson c/o Ryan Fritsinger

PO Box 3949

Big Bear Lake, CA 92315