Student caught in viral photo comforting complete stranger with special needs on a public bus

'Sometimes you just have to be selfless and put someone else's needs above your own'

A student stole the hearts of thousands of social media users when he was photographed allowing a stranger with special needs hold his hand on a crowded bus in Ontario, Canada. The photo posted on Facebook had since gone viral.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - "Perfect and beautiful," is how one social media user described the viral photo of 22-year-old Godfrey Cuotto and Robert, a special needs man. 

The photo captured the heartwarming moment when Cuotto comforted a deaf man suffering from cerebral palsy. The man, called Robert for the sake of this article, became overwhelmed with the crowd inside the public bus and was in need of comfort. 
Cuotto didn't wasted time in offering his hand and shoulder to the stranger throughout the remaining bus ride. The picture was originally posted to a Facebook wall called "Only in Hamilton" on Wednesday and has since gone viral. 
The photo was accompanied by a caption that read" "I didn't know if u can post this but I would liking [sic] to say thank you to the guy who was seating beside a special needs gentlemen. He allowed him to hold his hand and find comfort well in a packed bus.. It make my day when I see stuff like that." 
Cuotto, who is a student at McMaster University in Hamilton, explained he was on his way home on the crowded bus when Robert reached out for what was initially a handshake. Cuotto thought the gesture was a prank, but realized that the man was frightened and was attempting to seek comfort.
"He kept holding my hand," Cuotto told the Huffington Post Canada. "Sometime you just have to be selfless and put someone else's needs above yours."
While holding Cuotto's hand, Robert hugged him and leaned against him for the rest of the ride. Cuotto told reporters that he later received a message from Robert's family via Facebook, praising him for his efforts to comfort their uncle.
The viral photo has reached over 12,000 shares, fifty-six-thousand likes and numerous positive comments from social media users.
One Facebook comment even suggested Cuotto would have a shining career in politics"
"Godfrey Cuotto should consider a career in politics! His mother should be his chief of staff! What's more impressive than his act of kindness...his confidence at age 22...how he shrugs off the glory coming his way! Awesome man and a good reminder for the rest of us," Stephen Snow posted.
Cuotto told TheKiss 92.5 radio station that his act of kindness was due to the way his mother brought him up, saying, "I was raised by a queen."

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