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

Your Carolina with Jack & Kimberly

In case you missed us on TV with Jack Roper (Uncle Jack) April 4th...........

We couldn't do this without our friends - old & new!

"The strongest and sweetest song remains to be sung." -- Walt Witman


Gator and I went on a "date night" Friday for the first time in a long time (thanks Aunt Kim for keeping Kyle). We needed to go to Spartanburg anyway to get Kyle diapers at Sam's Club, but Gator surprised me with dinner (at our new favorite restaurant City Range) and a movie. We first ended up having to go to Verizon Wireless to have our phones checked for some technical difficulties, then to Sam's, and then to City Range (boy was it GOOD!). We had then planned on a movie but I didn't see anything I wanted to see more than "Fool's Gold" that had just come out on Charter Cable On-Demand and decided we would go home to watch a movie.

We had one last stop on our way home -- to Barnes & Noble to see if they had the DRM, IHRA Drag Review Magazine that has an article about Trevor and Team Aruba in its June issue. While there of course I had to check out the latest books on Autism.........and found the "Chicken Soup for the Soul - Children with Special Needs" book. I immediately opened the book as soon as we got in the car and began reading stories to Gator on our way home. I was fine until I read the following story - which I dedicate to all those who we would have never met had it not been for Kyle and his God given specialty of Autism and Fragile X (but one day God and I will have a long talk about this!)



What They Forgot to Mention by Sandy Sotzen

I remember the day of my son's diagnosis of autism as if it were yesterday. The tone of the doctor's voice, the silence in the room, the words "lifelong disability, no cure, I'm sorry" still sting when I allow myself to reflect on that day.
But I have paused on occasions too numerous to count and thought, Someone should've mentioned that this would be part of the package when my child was diagnosed with autism.
Someone forgot to mention that I would listen to my child's simple utterances or attempted approximations as if he were a world leader giving the speech of a lifetime. I could never have imagined the worth of a single word despite the fact that I may never hear it again.
Someone forgot to mention that when my son was finally potty-trained at age nine, there would be few people who could understand the significance of such an accomplishment, and even fewer with whom I could actually share it. Accomplishments of any size, there true worth known only to me, would bring quiet celebrations between my son and me.
Someone should've mentioned that autism is messy! Wallpaper's meant to be shredded, bathrooms are designed to be flooded, walls are bare in order to smear stuff on them, washable paint really isn't, and more food will actually be crushed and dropped than eaten.
I wish someone would've mentioned that autism is extremely expensive! Doctors, therapists, medications, supplements, conferences, and sensory equipment are only the tip of the iceberg. I could not have guessed that my child's disability would allow people to cross our path in life who otherwise would not have, and that such people would willingly respond to a child in need.
Someone should have mentioned that each time a child with autism initiates or engages in a reciprocal hug, that feeling that you had when you held him for the first time comes back time and time again.
And they forgot to mention the day my son was diagnosed with autism that the triumphs over this disability would far outweigh the tears, that laughter would eventually ease the sense of loss, and that sheer faith would allow me and millions of other parents to fall into bed exhausted each night, only to get up the next day eager to discover what else they forgot to mention.

Life’s Choices.....

Ever wonder WHY?

Why here or now?

Why him or her?

Why can’t I get a break?

Why my child????

Over the last couple of years, I have had a lot of WHY? questions run through my head....some verbalized and other not, some I reacted to and others I fought not to because these days I have to pick & choose my battles carefully --- and there’s only so much of me to go around (no wonder I’m on Lexapro and Ambien).

It has taken a long time to the answer about why we were back in Union, but eventually I did --- there is no way we could have ever accomplised what we have for Autism Awareness like we have been able to here. We have found people to fight with us, for us and others against us; however, we have remained strong (on the outside).

I still don’t know why Kyle has autism, but somedays it’s a lot clearer than others...like when he touches someone’s heart with his smile or simple touch of the hand. And through this connections we have managed to break through beariers, touch lives, raise a little money for Autism Speaks (autism awareness), make life long friends that will be part of our family for the rest of our lives and even make International connections for autism awareness.

In the midst of it all, I have learned (borrowing a phrase from a close friend) that life “moves a little faster for some and slower for others” which puts you in a position to wonder “what could have been”. But you face reality and deal with what you were dealt.

I know that one day I will be having a very long conversation with GOD ‘bout these struggles but until then I have to pray for the strength to accomplish whatever needs to be done in my lifetime. I hope that you, our friends & family, will be there with us wherever the road leads to support our efforts even though you may not agree with our methods or life’s choices sometimes. Just know that we love you more than you will ever know!

Team Aruba officially opens race shop

Team Aruba officially opens race shop

By CHARLES L. WARNER

Published:

Thursday, April 17, 2008 1:56 PM CDT

Staff Writer

Union County's enthusiasm for motorsports helped make it the U.S. home base for Team Aruba, Ven Eaman says.

Team Aruba's U.S. Home Base Complex held its grand opening celebration Wednesday. The complex, located on the Whitmire Highway, is the centerpiece of Union County's efforts to become a motorsports hub.

While access to highways was important, it was the people of Union County and their commitment to motorsports that was the deciding factor in the team's decision to locate here, Eaman, who is team coordinator, said.

“It's a very exciting day, we've been working toward this day for awhile now,” he said. “We met the people of Union at Rockingham, N.C., at the race. They knew about us, they knew that we didn't have a U.S. base. They invited us over, we came for several meetings and we got to know the people. They are motorsports-minded (and) didn't leave us any other choice but to pick Union as our U.S. home base. We're glad and we don't regret it; we're going to do great things together.”

Eaman predicted his team would win a world championship “in the near future” for both Aruba and Union County. He added that Team Aruba will also work to help attract more racing teams and related motorsports industries to the county.

Eaman's brother, Henny, the former prime minister of Aruba, compared the enthusiasm in Union for Team Aruba to that in his country as it worked to overcome an economic crisis it faced at the beginning of his first term in office.

“We had a big crisis and we made a plan and we had a very enthusiastic team,” he said. “In that enthusiasm that you see today in the eyes of everyone that's involved I recognize a team that is going to grow and is going to work together and is going to accomplish lots of big things for the venture between the City of Union and Team Aruba.”

In addition to motor sports, the Eamans are looking to expand their business by setting up an exchange involving the import of water, beer and possibly aloe products made in Aruba and exporting steel products and machinery from Union County. The Eamans are also involved in the textile industry and will be looking at possible opportunities for trade between the county and Aruba.

Union Mayor Bruce Morgan welcomed the Eamans' commitment to helping bring motor sports and other economic development to the county.

“This has just been a wonderful day for Union, for Team Aruba and for Union's future,” he said. “We think this is just the beginning of being able to recruit additional racing teams and motorsports people to Union.

“This shows the commitment of some of these organizations to the sport and with Ven Eaman and his entire family making Union their United States home base means that they will continue to invest money here in the area and help us recruit additional teams to come to Union,” he said.”

Mike Petrie, president of the Union County Motorsports Association, served as master of ceremonies and spoke on the impact motor sports can have on a community.

“We all understand the economic impact that motorsports can have on Union County,” he said. “Motorsports is an industry and people around here are starting to recognize that.

North Carolina long ago recognized Motorsports as an industry and because of that they're way ahead of the curve,” he said. “A good example is in 2005 motorsports poured $5.9 billion into the state of North Carolina and created 27,000 new jobs. Maybe on a smaller scale, we hope to accomplish the same thing here.”

Supervisor Donnie Betenbaugh pointed out that motorsports has a long history in the county.

“Team Aruba's formally announcing their location here along with all the other things going on in motorsports here in Union County, it looks as though our future will be very bright for the motorsports industry and the economy of motor sports in Union County. We're very excited to be a part of that.”

Copyright © 2008 - The Union Daily Times

Team Aruba Grand Opening

Article published Apr 17, 2008 GoUpstate.com

Team Aruba opens drag-racing shop in Union

By Matt Cobbs
Published: Thursday, April 17, 2008 | Updated: 11:41 am

MIKE BONNER/mike.bonner@shj.com | Order a reprint
Jim and Marie Brady check out the Team Aruba car during the open house of the drag-racing shop in Union on Wednesday.

UNION - The gear and crew have been moved in for a couple months, but Team Aruba officially opened its new drag-racing shop Wednesday afternoon.

The team's new home base - about 3 miles from Union on Whitmire Highway - welcomed Union Mayor Bruce Morgan, former Aruba prime minister Henny Eman and an assortment of other guests for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"We know this is going to be very profitable and rewarding for all of Union in the future," Morgan said. "It's just going to be an economic boom for us and something we can all appreciate and love."

Henny said the team's move should help to stimulate economic growth for both Union and Aruba.

"This joint venture is going to give very positive results for Aruba's advertising. Our small island depends largely on tourism," he said.

"It should also be positive for the fast-developing city of Union," he added "I'm sure that we will be visiting Union and tracks very often."

Henny's younger brother, Ven, is the coordinator for Team Aruba.

Trevor Eman, 21, is the team's driver and competes on the IHRA circuit - they have an event this weekend in Rockingham, N.C.

The process of bringing the team to Union began last year when Ven met Mike Petrie, president of the Union County Motorsports Association, at a race.

Petrie began telling him about the town and its love for racing.

"Many people think I found Union. This is far from the truth," Ven Eman said. "Union found Team Aruba. Union has a motorsport-aggressive approach, and everybody in Union loves anything that has a motor, that's loud and goes fast."

Petrie said several particular aspects attracted the team to come to Union.

"We've got friendly people, people that share (Ven's) passion for motorsports, access to three major interstates, a relatively mild climate and the availability and price of (the) property," Petrie explained.

Trevor Eman drives the team's 2006 Ford Escort with an 820 CID Ford Hemi Mountain Motor built by Jon Kaase. He has raced in several categories, including Super Comp and Top Sportsman.

"This was a very special day. There was a lot of excitement," Trevor Eman said. "Now that we've got somewhere to leave out of, we should be much more organized and much better off than we have been the last couple years."

This week in Autism.....Decide for yourself!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/the-vaccineautism-story_b_90431.html