Filippa Åding, 20, lives in a family home. This spring she will graduate, something she has worried a lot about. She has no family who will be able to meet her at the source.
The idea that no one would meet her at the exit with a sign was so troublesome that for a while she thought about skipping the entire student and the exit.
– Seeing all the other students run out to their parents with tears of joy while I stand there with tears of sadness, feels overwhelmingly lonely and scary. The thought of the student fills me with panic. I have even told the school that I do not want to participate, explains Filippa in an interview with News24.
Shared the situation on Tiktok
In the past few days, Filippa posted a video on her Tiktok where she shared her situation and told how she felt.
– When I created that TikTok video on Tuesday, I was at school during the break. Principal Anna gave me permission to be there, even though it wasn’t a normal school day. School has always been my safest place. The teachers have been more than just teachers to me, they have been like extra parents. When you miss a family, the teachers become your closest anchor, says Filippa and continues:
– I sat and scrolled through TikTok and saw all these student videos, and I just felt that I needed to express my feelings.
The video received over half a million views
In just a few days, the video had gone viral. At the time of writing, the Tiktok video has over 700,000 views and several hundred comments supporting Filippa.
– TikTok has always been my refuge when I feel sad. It’s not about seeking attention, but rather about having someone to share my feelings with. When the video got over 700,000 views I could hardly believe it. I had expected maybe 40-50,000 views, but for it to reach over half a million was unthinkable to me. It was a shock, says Filippa.
Hundreds of strangers want to meet Filippa’s student
Several hundred have now written to Filippa and would like to support her on student day and be there for her during the outing. Including artists and profiles such as Antonija Mandir, BELL, Nikita Uggla and MArcel Jehrlander.
– That so many people want to come and support me on my way out feels unreal. I have barely been able to absorb all the comments and messages. Tears have flowed as I tried to read through them. I feel so incredibly grateful. Words cannot describe how I feel in front of all this love and support, says Filippa.
Filippa’s video has helped several lonely people
Filippa’s Tiktok video has also created a wave of people wanting to support others. In several large Facebook groups, people now go out and offer to come up with other students’ exits, who, like Filippa, would be lonely.
– I was even told that groups and posts on Facebook were created to support those who feel the same as me before the student, after seeing my TikTok. It gave me a sense of hope for humanity.
Filippa has now completely changed her mind about her student and plans to participate, after all the support and love she has received.
– My biggest question now is which dress I should wear and what I should write on my student cap, says Filippa Åding to Nyheter24.
Read more news here:
Felizia, Elvira and Lola’s mothers died in suicide: “Had each other to talk to”
9-year-old Robbie became orphaned – then strangers gave him rainbows
No one showed up at the daughter’s party – strangers came to the rescue