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

One person CAN make a DIFFERENCE!

Never doubt my love for you or what I won't do for you!


Whether it be correcting you when you are wrong, cleaning up after you, fighting with you for 30 minutes just so that you learn how to do one thing, going to the statehouse and talking to our house and senate representatives for better education for children with special needs in our public schools or keeping logos for autism awareness on race cars and trailers.

I will never stop fighting for you............until you verbally tell me you can do it on your own!

You are my pride and joy and your well-being is my passion. Just remember to thank your mom with plenty of jewelry as your great-grandmother Dummy/G would say.

But until then the kisses, hugs and many times you signed I love you after a very long day in Columbia will do for now.

I love you!

The Piano Too....?????????

"J-Mac"

http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=1727289&affil=wlos

Autistic Basketball Star Makes Bush Weep
President Takes a Break From Politics to Meet the Teen
March 15, 2006 —


There are some moments in life when time stands still. For Jason McElwain -- known to his classmates in Rochester, N.Y., as "J-Mac" -- those moments seem to be happening a lot lately.

Jason, who suffers from autism and learning disabilities, is now known throughout the country for sinking six three-point shots and one field goal in four minutes. For three seasons, he never played on his high school basketball team but rather acted as a motivator and team manager.

"I've never shot that well in my life," said Jason, 16.

His story of overcoming disabilities struck a chord with President Bush, who met Jason.

"As you can see, a special person has greeted me at the airport," Bush said when they met, taking Jason by the arm. "Jason, mind if I call you 'J-Mac?' I'll call him J-Mac. You can call me George W."

Jason and his mother, Debbie McElwain, were excited to meet the president, and she coached her son on how to react to one of the most powerful men in the world. It's been just one of the many changes that have occurred since the miracle game. The family has fielded 35 movie offers, and McElwain said the phone rang nonstop.

"Well, we've lost a lot of sleep, and we've had a lot of phone calls," she said. "The phone calls have died down, but every once in awhile we have to take the phone off the hook so we could take a break."

The president said that Jason's story had inspired many people, including himself.

"Saw it on TV and I wept, just like a lot of other people," Bush said. "It's just one of those stories that touched a lot of people's hearts. You probably didn't realize the impact you were going to have on people all across America and around the world."

For his part, Jason didn't realize just how the world would embrace him.

"I didn't realize that until e-mails came from families and kids with autism," he said. "Autism doesn't affect me at all."

Now, Jason has his sights on March Madness. He predicts the University of Connecticut will take it all because the team is more athletic than Duke, a team he said has a penchant for choking. His favorite college player is Gerry McNamara, known as G-Mac, who led Syracuse to an amazing run in the Big East tournament.

"As you can tell, he's very involved in basketball," his mother said.



Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures
====================================================================================
Jason J-Mac McElwain George Bush Autism Song for Awareness

TEAM ARUBA RAISED MORE THAN $5100 TOWARDS AUTISM RESEARCH

Friday, February 15

A local race team has received recognition for its fundraising efforts to benefit Autism Speaks. Team Aruba, the professional IHRA drag racing team that recently located its operation in Union County with the support of Union Countians and others raised a total of $5,107.12. Gator, who is associated with Team Aruba, along with his wife Betsy headed team Aruba’s effort. They have a son, Kyle, who has been diagnosed with autism and Fragile X syndrome. WBCU News spoke with Betsy and she expressed her appreciation both to Team Aruba and the citizens of Union County for their generosity. She said Team Aruba is the only race team in America sponsoring Autism Speaks on a full-time basis, helping to raise awareness for Autism research. She said they plan another walk this year to raise more money for research, and it will be held at Lowe's Motor Speedway. More details on that will be forthcoming.

-

Kyle - Our Little Drummer Boy?????

Not really sure where he gets this from...
unless its watching RASCAL FLATTS?!?!




OR could he really have a GIFT???

Why do I have this feeling that we
need to buy stock in ear plugs????

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Today began with a new outfit we got from Aunt Janet and Uncle Tommy that kept us warm in the cold morning air......and throughout the day as the clouds rolled in.





Twelve hours later.....

we were twirling dancing under the snow clouds as we caught snowflakes on our tongues.








Hope we don't end up having multiple goldfish funerals this weekend!

Kyle at Sea World & Disney Dec. 2007

Merry Christmas!

photography (most of it) by Kyle
& his new Fisher Price digital camera

Thank you for supporting us!

2007 Carolinas Walk Now For Autism

Watch for Team Aruba!

I long to hear those three little words from our son Kyle,but without support from friends and family like you, I may never hear it.

Betsy heard Kyle tell her "I Love You" before he regressed and lost his verbal communication. Yes, he signs it to us and shows affection, which a lot of autistic child do not, and we are very lucky in that respect. Yet, we long to hear those words again, and again, and again.


Simple to most, yet for a child with autism, it's one of the most difficult things in the world. They get frustrated and pitch fits because they can not express what they long to tell you.

We ask that you help us reach this goal by supporting us in our efforts to raise money for autism research/Autism Speaks with Team Aruba at the Carolinas Walk Now for Autism at Lowes Motor Speedway on Oct. 6, 2007. You can donate a little of your time and join our team online or donate a little money.

We appreciate your time and efforts in our fight against autism!
And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Sincerely,
Gator

We Will NEVER Forget!

I still remember where I was when I heard about the first plane hitting the WTC........on the Internet on the computer in the hallway outside my office at United Supply in Charlotte, NC on the phone to our vendor's marketing mgr and dear friend (whom Gator was suppose to be set up with the night we met but she's too tall for him) Jen P. discussing something about Conso's product lines or a trade show or something.

Gator was driving a hazmat tanker, delivering to Baltimore, MD. I know I wasn't going through anything like the families in NYC, but when your loved one is near danger and you can't protect them or put your arms around them, you are terrified.

Then there was an immediate lock-down on hazmat truck drivers who were anywhere in the vicinity of possible attack targets.......they were afraid the next thing would be tankers used for attacks.

Gator has always had a very big heart and tries to help everyone.......well his next project would soon prove to be the victims of 9/11. We ended up with semi trailers located in our church parking lot in Rock Hill, another at Conso in Union and his mom getting supplies from people in Thomson, GA! We ended up with an article in the local papers in Rock Hill and Union. Then we had our other driver, Willie (we owned 2 semi trucks), family, friends and a reporter from the local tv station in Rock Hill going with us in the semi and a van to deliver the supplies to NYC.

We left at approx. 11pm on a Friday night and arrived in NYC early the next morning..........Gator and Willie took turns driving. We were told we had clearance to go to Ground Zero, but when we arrived we were re-routed to Long Island........ever been on 32nd Street? Well I had before, but try riding in a semi with a van tailing you to make it through red lights while you are being filmed having a pillow fight while you pass Macy's and try to keep your husband calm as he maneuvers around taxis!!!! Yep, been there, done that, have the video!

When we finally arrived at the warehouse on Long Island, we were taken aback by the response from the military guys there who were to unload our truck when they saw the flag that the preschoolers had made at our church with their hand prints. At the bottom it said "our tiny hands are folded in prayer for you NY". They immediately hung it.........there was nothing like that feeling!

After 9/11 there were lots of memorials, commentaries, tv specials, etc., but the one that affected me most was this 2002 Super Bowl commercial by Budweiser........it says it all.


We keep you in our prayers NYC, and we will never forget!

In the news.........

Publication:Union Daily Times;

Date:Aug 7, 2007;

Section:Front Page;

Page Number:1

Local drag racing team joins couple’s fight against autism

By CHARLES L. WARNER Staff Writer

A card from the father of an autistic child led to Team Aruba joining the fight against autism.

Team Aruba is a professional drag-racing team that located to Union County earlier this year. Crew member Tom Lukans was shown a very special card by local businessman Gator Hudson, designed by Hudson’s wife, Betsy, to inform the public about autism and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). The Hudsons’ son, Kyle, was diagnosed with autism at the age of 3 1/2 and with FXS at age 4. Kyle’s story is included on the card, which is designed to look like his business card.

Seeing the card moved Lukans to start the process that resulted in Team Aruba becoming a rolling advertisement for “Autism Speaks,” the organization dedicated to finding a cure for the disease. Lukans, along with Team Aruba driver Burt Kelkboom, his son, Shawn and crew chief Andre Loonstra joined with the Hudsons to announce Team Aruba’s plans during an interview on WBCU radio Monday morning.

“The card’s quite overwhelming and my first words were, ‘What can we do to help?’” Lukans said. “‘We have a car, we have a trailer, can we publicize this in any way?’”

Hudson responded by putting Lukans in contact with Lara Collazo, corporate development manager for Autism Speaks. That led to a special “Proud To Be A Supporter Of Autism Speaks” logo being placed on the team’s race car and trailer. The logo was on display last weekend when the team was in Bristol, Tenn., and when it travels to New Hampshire this weekend.

“As we travel down the highway, people can be aware of it,” Lukans said. “From there we discussed a few other things, what our itinerary was for the rest of the year and how close we are to certain areas. We’re going to have the car and rig on display at Charlotte Motor Speedway for Autism Walks Oct. 6.”

The “Carolinas Walk for Now for Autism” is an annual event staged by Autism Speaks to raise awareness of the condition and generate money for research. In 2006, the walk attracted 3,000 participants and raised more than $240,000. The money raised is used to help fund global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatment and cure for autism.

The fifth annual walk will be held Oct. 6 and participants will include a team from Union County called Team Aruba/Union, S.C. Tourism. The walk team grew out of Team Aruba’s discussions of carrying the Autism Now logo on its vehicles.

“From there it prompted us to say ‘Why can’t we have a walk team?’ Lukans said. “So Gator and Betsy started putting together a walk team that has over a hundred members walking in it already. That’s fabulous and we just got started.

“We’re going to have the car on display, we’re going to have a walk team that’s a joint venture with Team Aruba and Union County Tourism Commission,” he said. “We’re going to have special T-shirts designed with the car on the back and on the front it’ll have ‘Honorary Crew Member for Team Aruba.’ That’s what our walkers are going to have and that’s what we’re going to have through some of the other special events that we’re going to do throughout the rest of this year with the autism programs.”

The team has also brought together Autism Speaks with an autism foundation in Aruba. This led to contacts between the two organizations which are now working together on a joint venture on the island.

———To learn more about Team Aruba and its activities log on at www.teamarubamotorsports.com.

For more information about the Oct. 6 Carolinas Walk for Now for Autism, log on at www.walknowforautism.org/carolinas.

Fragile X Syndrome a genetic condition that leads to autism

By CHARLES L. WARNER Staff Writer


When Betsy Hudson gave birth to her son, Kyle, she didn’t know she’d passed on a neurological condition that will affect him the rest of his life.

Kyle Hudson, 4, has autism and Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). The latter is a genetic condition which can cause a child to have autism, which impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. “It is genetic, it was passed down from me; we were not aware of anything in our family,” Mrs. Hudson said. “It came down from my father’s side.”

Mrs. Hudson and her husband, Gator, joined the members of Team Aruba on WBCU radio Monday morning to discuss autism and FXS and local efforts to raise awareness of the conditions. Mrs. Hudson has designed a card that tells about her son being diagnosed with autism and FXS. Her husband showed the card to a member of Team Aruba which led to the team getting involved with “Autism Speaks,” a group that raises awareness of autism and generates funds for medical research. The card also describes the conditions.

Fragile X

The card describes FXS as being able to cause a child to have either autism or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) “though not all children with fragile X syndrome have autism or an ASD. Fragile X is a family of genetic conditions, which can impact individuals and families in various ways. These genetic conditions are related in that they are all caused by gene changes in the same gene, called the FMR1 gene.”

Like all women, Mrs. Hudson has two X chromosomes while men have an X and a Y chromosome. FXS occurs when the FMR1 gene on an X chromosome does not get enough protein for normal growth and development. She said that since she has two X chromosomes and the genetic abnormality was passed on to her by her father, she was not affected. Since Kyle has only one X chromosome and the condition was passed on to him by her, he developed FXS. (Girls can as develop FXS as well but it is not as common as among boys.)

Autism

The card describes autism as “a complex neurobiological disorder that typically lasts throughout a person’s lifetime. It is part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

“Today, 1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. It occurs in all racial, ethnic and social groups and is four times more likely to strike boys than girls.

“Autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.”

Mrs. Hudson said that to look at her son you wouldn’t know he was autistic, until you tried to talk to him. “He is not verbal and he gets very frustrated by that because he cannot communicate with us, but he does kind of do some sign language and we’ve kind of learned some of the things he’s trying to tell us,” she said. “He goes to Spartanburg Regional and has occupational and speech therapy. He gets speech therapy through an early intervention class at Foster Park (Elementary School). He will be back in this class this year and he will get the same thing there.”

Despite his lack of verbal skills, Kyle, like many with autism, is intelligent and creative. “They’re very creative and they’re very smart,” Mrs. Hudson said. “He is not verbal, he cannot communicate really what he’s trying to get across, but you hand him a flashlight and he’ll take it apart and put it back together.”

Mrs. Hudson welcomed the involvement of Team Aruba in promoting autism awareness and in helping raise money for autism research. “People aren’t aware, we want to make them aware,” she said. “We’re trying to make everyone be more considerate of parents and of children with autism, because you get looks. Like ‘Why can’t you control your child!’ and there’s nothing you can do sometimes. We want to raise money because the money going to Autism Speaks is for autism research so that we can hopefully find a cure for autism.”

For more information about autism and FXS, log on at one of these websites:

• betsygatorh@yahoo.com

• www.autismspeaks.org

• www.fragilex.org
• www.autisticourchurchchunkymonkey.blogspot.com.