John Cena meets teen with Down Syndrome who fled Ukraine: Watch

John Cena, the WWE wrestler-turned-actor, made time during his recent Europe trip to meet a teen superfan with Down Syndrome, who fled from Ukraine. 

The video was posted on YouTube by the WWE channel and noted that Misha Rohozhyn, a non-verbal 19-year-old escaped the war-torn country with his mother, Liana Rohozhyn. Their home in Mariupol was destroyed and during the journey, the mother encouraged the teen that they would see his hero – John Cena. When the ‘Peacemaker‘ actor got word of the same, he turned Liana’s fantasy into reality on June 5, travelling to a residence outside Amsterdam where the refugees had been staying. 

Cena explained, “When I read about Misha’s story, it reached out to me — not just Misha’s story, but the story of Misha’s mom as well”, adding, “Having three days off from work right at the time when I read this story, and being an hour away by air, it turned immediately into, ‘We’re going.'” 

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The 45-year-old continued, “And that means spending an afternoon building blocks and eating cake. That’s a special afternoon when it comes to the new friends I was able to meet.” 

In the video, Cena can be seen hugging Misha and greeting him with a handshake. He tells the teen “I’ve come a long way to see you. I’ve heard many things about you.” 

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Cena also gifted Misha his branded cap and tee with the catchphrase “Never Give Up”, along with a WWE Championship belt. Liana told Cena after the visit, “John, thank you. You have a big heart”. 

The star also tweeted, “What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday. Misha and his mother, Liana, define #NeverGiveUp.” 

The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that Misha was crying in his room in Amsterdam since Cena was yet to arrive. At the time, Liana told the publication, “I tell him, ‘We’re not finished with our journey, but we need to stop here and save up a little for a ticket to America, to find him there.'”