Ty has Down syndrome.
Like many of us, he relies on certain "constants" to help him get through the average day, and his family try their best to maintain them.
For the past 10 years, one of the biggest constants in Ty's life has been his bus driver, Scott Reynolds.
A bus driver at the Fairport Central School District for the past 35 years, Scott quickly bonded with Ty, one of the 12 students on his daily route.
"We just hit it off," Scott told WHAM. "He's a good kid."
The impression Scott had on young Ty didn't go unnoticed by his parents.
So when Scott retired recently, Ty's folks wrote Scott a heartfelt letter in which they thanked him for "fist-bumping" their son every day on the bus.
"How can we explain that Scott has been so much more than 'just a bus driver' to Ty?" read the letter, which was read out at a recent luncheon honouring Scott.
"He cheers him up, gets his day started positively every day, and ends it with a smile. He is like another dad, or at least a big brother to Ty."
Ty's family went on to describe Scott as "irreplaceable" and someone who will hold "a special place in our hearts forever."
In the letter, the family also highlighted the importance that relationship-building has for children, particularly those with disabilities.
"Ty has known Scott for many years," the letter read. "I think Scott can 'read' him as well as we can at times."
"It's not always the people with a big title or position of influence that make a difference in the lives of kids with disabilities."
"It is often those that provide direct care for them and spend time with them every day that make the biggest difference. Scott has been one of those people that care. Really care. I am so impressed by people like Scott."
Sometimes it really is the little things that make life so much better.
SHARE if you think we need more people like Scott!
