Kyle - Naughty or Nice List..........

See which list Kyle made this Christmas with Family.com and Santa's List.

At what point....

At what point do I give up on a child?
At what point do I give up on the parent?
At what point do I say its not worth it?
At what point do I stop giving?
At what point do I not care?
At what point do I stop questioning why?

Why? A simple question it would seem.
But why does a child have autism?
Why does a parent fight the doctors?
Why does a parent fight the schools?
Why does a parent fight the critics?
Why does a parent fight the system?

Why? Because there is a CHILD! So....
I don't stop questioning why!
I don't stop caring!
I don't stop giving!
I don't stop saying its worth it!
I don't stop fighting!
I don't stop LOVING the most precious thing in the world....an innocent child!

An innocent child that has a whole life ahead of them.
An innocent child that has a lot to give.
An innocent child that matters.
An innocent child that is special.
An innocent child that is loving.
An innocent child that is autistic.
An innocent child that is mine!

The Union Daily Times, Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Auction organizers hope to raise autisum awareness

by ANNA BROWN

2 days 10 hrs ago | 80 views | 0 | 0 | |

A silent auction and fund-raiser for Autism Speaks — Walk Now for Autism, will be held Saturday at the Union National Guard Armory.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m.

Betsy Hudson, who is organizing the event with her husband, Gator, said the money is being raised by the Team Aruba Walk Team which will participate in the Carolinas Walk Now for Autism on Oct. 10 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. She said the event isn’t just a fund-raiser, it will be a chance to raise awareness of autism and for parents of children with autism to learn about services that could help their family. Michelle Preslar, executive director of Greater Charlotte Autism Speaks, will attend the auction.

“The main thing we want to do is raise awareness,” said Mrs. Hudson, the mother of Kyle, 6, who has been diagnosed with autism. “Whatever we can do to help. We hope people will come out.”

Mrs. Hudson said all money raised will go to Autism Speaks, which funds Autism research.

Non-perishable food items will be collected for the Union First Baptist Church food pantry.

There will be a hot dog and barbecue sale from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Melting Pot Restaurant will be on hand giving out chocolate.

Silent auction items include a fender from NASCAR great Jeff Gordon’s car, restaurant gift certificates, massages, hair products, florals, a weekend drive in a BMW, a birthday party package from Monkey Joe’s, four single game tickets and a gift bucket from Greenville Drive, Disney items — including a large Wally robot, passes to Riverbanks Zoo, passes to the South Carolina Aquarium at Charleston, an autographed tackle box and tackle from Hank Parker, a signed racing uniform from Randy Hawkins, tickets to Flat Rock Playhouse, a baseball autographed by John Smoltz with certificate of authenticity, a family pack of four Wofford football tickets, three month membership to Curves, studio access passes to the John Boy and Billy Show, a pallet of sod, tools, oil changes, autographed racing items, antique table and chairs and many more items from businesses in Union, Spartanburg, Columbia and other towns in North and South Carolina.

Those attending can sign up to be an honorary crew member of Team Aruba.

To you my son....

On this Mother's Day, May 10, 2009
I look at you and would do it all again
the joy, the pain, sorrow, the gain
to see you struggle and strive
be defeated and succeed
to beat the odds and fight the genes.

You are my one and only,
my chunky monkey,
who laughs and cries,
fights and climbs,
over and under
any stairs, steps or flight,
to reach your ultimate best
and show everyone
that you are not afraid to be you.

As I look at you tonight,
sleeping soundly with Elmo,
I can't help but cry and think
how I am the luckiest mom in the world
to have been blessed with a son like you
who is perfect in every way,
including genetics and autistic ways.

Moms be thankful for what you have,
God knows what he's doing today,
for one day we will all be flawless,
but to moms we are perfect today!

Enjoy the bad days and good,
for I know that all it takes
is one touch from Kyle in a gentle way
to make the worst day go away.

Open your hearts and minds
and appreciate this most precious gift to us all,
that of mothers and motherhood.

You are invited......

Dr. Threatt...the best there is!

When you find someone as wonderful as Dr. Threatt has been to Kyle and our family, you drive and hour to provide the best medical care for your son....and Dr. Threatt is the best! And to hear that she is not feeling well and they do not have an expected return date to her practice is very upsetting. Needless to say we are very upset and worried about her. We hope for her a very speedy recovery, because no one can replace her.

No one has gone to bat for our son they way she has. We were very lucky because a lot of parents of children with autism are not. Doctors don't want to listen to the parents, through Autism Speaks, parents and advocates have pushed this issue and doctors are beginning to listen to us. Parents may not be medical experts but they are experts on their children. Parents listen to your gut instincts and doctors listen to the parents. We all have to work together to find a cause and a cure for Autism. In the mean time, we will drive the distance to see our favorite pediatrician. And we have her in our thoughts and prayers!

The Face of Autism

Autism, is not something you can detect by first looking at someone, nor by a simple test. Parents must use their gut instincts, probe their pediatricians, and fight for the best of everything for their child. And how is this different from every other 'normal' parent out there? Autism Spectrum Disorders vary in levels of ability and skills, so there must be hours of tests, evaluations, and varying types of doctors who pour over what your child can and can not do. The heartache, the devasting news, the evaporating dreams...................all seems to have gone with the few spoken words "I'm sorry, your child has Autism". But with those words comes other dreams and realizations.........like the wish every parent has of keeping their baby forever....well parents of non-verbal autistic children get to delay their child growing up for awhile longer. I know I've certainly enjoyed that part!!! You also look at others differently.....you never know what it going on with parents and their children. So please learn to be considerate when out in public and a child is having a hissy fit, because otherwise you might hear me or another parent of a special needs child say "Welcome to Autism (Downs Syndrome, etc)".

April is Autism Awareness Month...
learn the signs of autism,
spread awareness,
educate others,
and hug an Autistic child today!

www.autismspeaks.org

April 2, 2009 World Autism Day

We Need Your Help.....or products or services!

To Whom It May Concern,

Food Lion is hosting a fundraiser for the Team Aruba, an IHRA pro stock drag race team, Walk Now for Autism walk team on May 16, 2009 at the National Guard Armory in Union, SC. We are in need of items to be donated for a silent auction that will be held during the event. Anything you are able to donate for this event will be greatly appreciated -- whether it be race used car parts (ie: pistons, fiberglass, race tickets), gift certificates, clothing, etc. All proceeds from the silent auction will be donated to Autism Speaks at the October walk event at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC. Autism Speaks tax id # is **********.

We raised over $2600 last year with our first silent auction and hope to increase this amount and the number of those involved with each passing year. We cannot give up the fight to find the missing piece to the puzzle. Why? Because our six year old son Kyle has Autism, is not yet verbal, potty trained or on his right developmental level. And we will not stop until we find Kyle’s missing piece to his puzzle. Remember pennies add up to dollars and small donations add up to large strides in finding a cure for Autism.

Thank you very much for your time, efforts and having a heart to help such a noble cause. Please contact me with any questions or to find out how to become more involved.

Sincerely,

Gator. Betsy & Kyle

www.autisticourchunkymonkey.blogspot.com

www.autismspeaks.org

Great day for a picnic at the park!

Kyle at dance class 9-25-08

Kyle's first real horse ride

This was from Easter 2008 (March 23, 2008) at Gator's
cousin Sandra and Ed Maxwell's house in Thomson, GA.
Kyle loved this beyond believe. He has always had a
love and way with horses despite being non-verbal.

Sunday is International Day for Prayer for Autism