CALAIS, France, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A French woman whose Facebook post seeking birthday cards for her 30-year-old son with Down's syndrome went viral said he received more than 30,000 cards.

Jacqueline Parisseaux posted to Facebook Nov. 3 asking friends to send cards to her son, Manuel Parisseaux, for his 30th birthday Nov. 22 and the post quickly went viral, resulting in Manuel receiving more than 30,000 birthday cards from around the world.


The mother said her post was shared so many times Facebook suspended her account on suspicion of running an advertising scam. She said she opened a new account under her maiden name, Francois, to continue her appeal.

"I have a request to make to all my Facebook friends - my son Manuel is going to turn 30 years old on November 22 and he loves to receive postcards," the post read. "He has Down's syndrome. I'm writing to ask you to take a couple minutes to send him a little card and to pass this information on to your friends so the chain doesn't get broken. I thank you all in advance for your gesture, which will make my Manu so happy."

Parisseaux said she had to borrow garage space from a neighbor to store all of the cards, as well as cakes, chocolates and small gifts mailed by supporters.

"We would never have imagined the impact that a simple internet message could have in a few days," Parisseaux told La Voix du Nord. "We are surprised by this outpouring of generosity and messages of support and kindness. The world is not indifferent after all."

The cards and packages became so numerous postal workers had to use a truck to deliver them all.

"We got cards from everywhere: Sri Lanka, Chicago, Hong Kong and sometimes with child's drawings," Parisseaux told the BBC. "I don't understand why it got so big. Manuel is like us, he is moved to tears."