People Are So Emotional Over These Parents Who Made A Miniature Blockbuster For Their Autistic Son

"It's just so wonderful."

By
Remy Smidt
by Remy Smidt

BuzzFeed News Reporter

Meet 20-year-old Hector Zuniga. He lives in Texas.

Javier Zuniga

Hector is autistic and loves Blockbuster, his dad, also named Hector, told BuzzFeed News.

Visiting the store weekly was a part of his routine for around seven years. "Blockbuster was kind of like his lifeline," his dad said. "It was an anchor."

On Sunday, that store closed, a spokeswoman from Dish Network told BuzzFeed News.

But the parents had planned for the change and surprised their oldest son with this.

Javier Zuniga

His dad said they weren't sure if he was going to be happy about it.

"We were planning for the worst," he said.

But he was a huge fan. His dad said he smiled "ear-to-ear."

Javier Zuniga

"It was very emotional," his dad said.

The in-home movie rack was stocked with all of Hector's favorite DVDs.

Javier Zuniga

Pure happiness.

Javier Zuniga

Hector's younger brother, Javier, posted photos of the family's surprise, and people were so touched.

jaavii @Javiii_Zuniga

MY AUTISTIC BROTHER WAS SAD THAT BLOCK BUSTER WAS CLOSING DOWN SO MY PARENTS MADE A MINI ONE AT HOME FOR HIM! 😭❤️

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Simply wonderful.

WUBS NATION 🦀🥃 @WubsNet

@Sir_roozy @Javiii_Zuniga it's just so wonderful-- :)

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SO. MANY. TEARS.

alessandra 💌 @AlessandraRome0

@Javiii_Zuniga WHY AM I CRYING 😭💓😭💓

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Many people said that their admiration was incredibly personal.

Monica @LittleHarmonica

@Javiii_Zuniga My autistic son is obsessed with dvd covers. He doesn't watch them, just collects. I get this. It's wonderful. 😊❤️

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Adel 🌸 @Adelkiiis

@Javiii_Zuniga My son has #autism and he also loves movies 😍 Congratulations to your parents 👏🏼👏🏼

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People even wanted to make their own contributions to the in-home store.

King Dorkus @StillH2Odad

@Javiii_Zuniga I read your family's story and I have 3 old badges from when I worked there that I'd love to send if… https://t.co/t4yUMfrL4l

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The dad said that he's so happy about the story's attention, because it's a chance for his son to be seen.

Jiraiya Non Sensei @soulrebelJ

@Javiii_Zuniga I got dvds to donate.

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“[Hector's] so much in the shadows. The spotlight is never on him," he said.

"Even though he doesn’t really know what’s going on, at the very least it’s an opportunity for him to be on center stage."

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