1 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,119 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, it's Bill Courtney with an army of normal folks. 2 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:11,039 Speaker 1: And we continue with part two of our conversation with 3 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 1: Stacy Horst. Right after these brief messages from our generous sponsors, 4 00:00:29,200 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 1: let's talk about those kids. Sixty one percent of kids 5 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:39,280 Speaker 1: with level one autism fall subject to bullying and social isolation. 6 00:00:40,159 --> 00:00:45,159 Speaker 1: Sixty six three out of five kids that are already 7 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:52,360 Speaker 1: struggling with having autism are bullied and subject social isolation, 8 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:58,480 Speaker 1: with depression rates and suicidal thoughts fifty percent higher, and 9 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,760 Speaker 1: children with level one autism than the general population, meaning 10 00:01:02,840 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: that there's a large number of kids with autism trying 11 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: to mainstream and get through life, handling their difficulties and 12 00:01:13,120 --> 00:01:16,960 Speaker 1: their families along with them. And there's a bunch of 13 00:01:17,000 --> 00:01:20,160 Speaker 1: those kids that are having suicidal thoughts because they're so 14 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:22,839 Speaker 1: sad and so isolated as a result of the people 15 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:23,559 Speaker 1: around them. 16 00:01:23,400 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 2: Bullying them one out of ten as a has suicidal 17 00:01:28,880 --> 00:01:34,520 Speaker 2: tendencies one out of ten. Then you know, in Tennessee, Florida, 18 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:40,880 Speaker 2: right now, there's diagnosed roughly four hundred and thirty five 19 00:01:40,920 --> 00:01:44,280 Speaker 2: thousand autistic adults, and that can be an eighteen year old. 20 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:48,040 Speaker 2: So if Tennessee has one hundred and forty five thousand. 21 00:01:48,360 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 1: Okay, so if you're in Florida said four thirty five yep, 22 00:01:52,000 --> 00:01:58,680 Speaker 1: ten percent. That means there's forty three thousand suicidal autistic 23 00:01:58,720 --> 00:02:00,680 Speaker 1: people in the state of Florida right now. That's what 24 00:02:00,720 --> 00:02:01,400 Speaker 1: the mouth says. 25 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:05,240 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, well that's I mean, they have suicidal thoughts. 26 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,559 Speaker 2: And I think in level one when we go back 27 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 2: to what you were talking about before, in terms of 28 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:12,200 Speaker 2: level one, two and three. 29 00:02:12,440 --> 00:02:14,120 Speaker 3: And I am not. 30 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:18,360 Speaker 2: A psychologist or a psychiatrist, I don't play one on TV. 31 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 3: I you know, level one. 32 00:02:24,440 --> 00:02:29,000 Speaker 2: They're more aware of what's going on around them, I believe, 33 00:02:29,760 --> 00:02:31,359 Speaker 2: and they're more aware of. 34 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 1: The isolation, which makes them probably more susceptible to suicidal 35 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:42,919 Speaker 1: tendencies because much like my brother in law Ben, they're 36 00:02:43,000 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 1: high enough functioning they see it. So honestly, if you're 37 00:02:53,160 --> 00:02:55,240 Speaker 1: sitting here listening to us, should I before even get 38 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 1: to the there is redemption coming everybody. It's not. That's 39 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:04,240 Speaker 1: all ball listening to this day. But if you didn't 40 00:03:04,280 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 1: tear up here in the story so far, something's wrong 41 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:13,959 Speaker 1: with you. This should be a call. There should be 42 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:19,959 Speaker 1: a call to parents. If you have kids and you're 43 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:24,079 Speaker 1: blessed with happy, healthy, completely functional, normal kids without a 44 00:03:24,120 --> 00:03:28,720 Speaker 1: whole bunch of stuff. For goodness sakes, talk to them. 45 00:03:29,320 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 1: Explain to him that sometimes there are people around you 46 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:38,480 Speaker 1: that aren't just like you, but they are most deserving 47 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 1: of our grace and our understanding. Talk to your kids, 48 00:03:41,440 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 1: because we could fix a lot of this if just 49 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 1: parents would have kids have a more understanding, graceful heart 50 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:50,960 Speaker 1: about people around them that may look or act a 51 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: little differently. 52 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:52,960 Speaker 2: Amen. 53 00:03:54,440 --> 00:04:00,040 Speaker 1: So that's one. Number two is Aaron's story is the 54 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:04,240 Speaker 1: one we are learning about no today. But the data 55 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:08,000 Speaker 1: shows that Aaron's story is not at all a one off. 56 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: And unfortunately, Aaron's story also puts a light on the 57 00:04:13,720 --> 00:04:17,480 Speaker 1: fact that there are a lot of people who are 58 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:25,159 Speaker 1: probably quietly and may be very maybe even unknown, having 59 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:30,279 Speaker 1: suicidal thoughts as a result of their isolation. They're pulling 60 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 1: and the way people around them treat them. Absolutely, they're 61 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: not creating they're not thinking of committing suicide because of 62 00:04:38,080 --> 00:04:42,279 Speaker 1: the autism. They're thinking creating suicide because of how people 63 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:46,039 Speaker 1: treat them, because they have something that they didn't ask 64 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 1: for and that they're trying to deal with in their life, 65 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:53,479 Speaker 1: which if you think about the depth of that is heartbreaking. 66 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,919 Speaker 2: It's very heartbreaking, and a lot of them choose to 67 00:04:58,000 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 2: be isolated because that's the only way they can be, 68 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 2: which I think is wrong too, because so many of 69 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:09,559 Speaker 2: them they're persons. Some of the friends that Aaron did 70 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:13,919 Speaker 2: have Every year on the anniversary of her death, they 71 00:05:13,960 --> 00:05:17,760 Speaker 2: reach out and which you know, I think is beautiful, 72 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 2: and they are all on the spectrum. And even this 73 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:25,839 Speaker 2: year in January, one of them she said, I just 74 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:27,719 Speaker 2: choose to be by myself. 75 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 1: Because at least when she's by herself, she doesn't get 76 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: rid of killed. 77 00:05:33,800 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 2: Yes, and she knows what to expect, right. We all 78 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:41,680 Speaker 2: we're all creatures of habit in our lives and want 79 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:47,800 Speaker 2: normalacy and schedule. And it's kind of like knowing when 80 00:05:47,800 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 2: you come into work most of the time, you know 81 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:53,640 Speaker 2: what's going to happen today. You know there's going to 82 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 2: be something different here and there, but not on a 83 00:05:56,080 --> 00:05:56,880 Speaker 2: major scale. 84 00:05:57,600 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 3: So we all have of you know. 85 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:04,480 Speaker 2: The ability to go through life and it's just going 86 00:06:04,560 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 2: to be kind of going along except for the bumps 87 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:11,160 Speaker 2: in the road, where I think they sometimes isolate themselves 88 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 2: because they don't they don't want to have to deal with. 89 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,280 Speaker 3: More bumps than we have. Because if you put. 90 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:22,920 Speaker 2: Yourself out there and you get shot down, you put 91 00:06:22,920 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 2: yourself out there and nobody pays attention to you. You 92 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,680 Speaker 2: put yourself out there, nobody talks to you. Then why 93 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 2: do it? 94 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 1: Well? And imagine and. 95 00:06:33,360 --> 00:06:36,640 Speaker 2: There's a great there's a great lesson when we get 96 00:06:36,720 --> 00:06:39,840 Speaker 2: to the other part, the redemption part. 97 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:41,039 Speaker 1: We're getting there now. 98 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,520 Speaker 3: There are great lessons and all of that. 99 00:06:44,880 --> 00:06:49,760 Speaker 1: So back to that fourth day you are and I 100 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: interrupted you because I just had this visceral reaction to 101 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 1: I'd honestly do not know how you got through that. 102 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 1: But on that day you side to be a rock. 103 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:07,320 Speaker 1: Tell me what that being a rock looks like and 104 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: what you decided and what that was. 105 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:18,200 Speaker 2: Well, I can tell you one thing that without our faith. 106 00:07:18,960 --> 00:07:21,640 Speaker 3: This wouldn't have happened. There's no way. 107 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:30,160 Speaker 2: Couples who lose a child one in four get divorced 108 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:35,800 Speaker 2: and very quickly because of the trauma and everything else. 109 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:40,320 Speaker 2: We just we sat down on the floor again and 110 00:07:40,400 --> 00:07:44,000 Speaker 2: realized that there has to be something that we can 111 00:07:44,080 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 2: do to bring these kids out of isolation, to be 112 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 2: able to have a place that they can go on 113 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 2: the weekends when they're being isolated from the rest of 114 00:07:56,280 --> 00:08:01,360 Speaker 2: the world, to have fun, to just go be who 115 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:07,320 Speaker 2: they are, whether you know that's sitting there for three months, 116 00:08:07,840 --> 00:08:13,720 Speaker 2: which we had one one gentleman, do you know, And 117 00:08:13,760 --> 00:08:17,120 Speaker 2: so it kind of it started from there, and we 118 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 2: thought about somewhere fun like Dave and Busters, where you 119 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 2: can go and just play games, just be no therapy, 120 00:08:30,480 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 2: absolutely none, somewhere where there are no parents because oh yeah, 121 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:42,440 Speaker 2: because as parents and those people who are listening and 122 00:08:42,480 --> 00:08:46,040 Speaker 2: you parent of an autistic child, you or a child 123 00:08:46,120 --> 00:08:50,240 Speaker 2: with special needs, as they're growing up, you continue to 124 00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:54,880 Speaker 2: try and help them and part of that helping is correction. 125 00:08:57,040 --> 00:09:01,839 Speaker 2: And we didn't want this to have anything. 126 00:09:01,440 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 3: To do with that. 127 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 2: It's just a place where they can come hang out. 128 00:09:06,720 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 2: No parents, nobody correcting themal. 129 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:13,839 Speaker 3: Yeah, absolutely little kids. 130 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 2: Yeah. And one of the lessons that we learned in 131 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 2: that is, you know, as a parent, you take your 132 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:27,560 Speaker 2: kids to all these things ptot, social skills groups, you 133 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 2: name it whatever. In the last eight years, nine years, 134 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:38,959 Speaker 2: we've learned that. And this is my analogy, so nobody 135 00:09:39,160 --> 00:09:43,800 Speaker 2: throw rocks at me. But anyway, I call our members 136 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:48,400 Speaker 2: our square pegs, and you know, it's like you take 137 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 2: your kids to all this type of therapy, trying to 138 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:53,160 Speaker 2: take a square peg and fit it in a round 139 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:58,240 Speaker 2: hole to make them normal so that they can be 140 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,560 Speaker 2: out in the world with what we call normal or 141 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:07,880 Speaker 2: neurotypical individuals, when really all they've ever needed this whole 142 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:12,719 Speaker 2: time is to be with each other. They all they 143 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,160 Speaker 2: don't care about their quirks. 144 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 3: They don't care. 145 00:10:18,080 --> 00:10:22,160 Speaker 2: We have thirty two kids with one staff bert well 146 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 2: two staff members now and eight volunteers, and they can 147 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,560 Speaker 2: flit around the room. They can do whatever they want 148 00:10:29,600 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 2: and nobody cares, and they. 149 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 1: Have a ball and if they don't look somebody in 150 00:10:35,040 --> 00:10:37,199 Speaker 1: the eyes will hell, everybody there understands. 151 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:39,880 Speaker 3: Why Yep, it's okay, it's okay. 152 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:40,760 Speaker 1: I get you. 153 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:43,239 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, absolutely. 154 00:10:43,400 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 2: So we so we decided to create a five O, 155 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:49,520 Speaker 2: one C three. We didn't know what that would look like, 156 00:10:52,920 --> 00:10:55,680 Speaker 2: and we came up with the tied Aaron's Hope for 157 00:10:55,800 --> 00:11:00,199 Speaker 2: Friends because she always hoped for a good friend. And 158 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 2: as my husband has said, if Aaron had had one 159 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:07,960 Speaker 2: good friend, she'd probably still be here. 160 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:12,520 Speaker 1: And so you called it Aaron's Hope for Friends Foundation, 161 00:11:12,880 --> 00:11:19,800 Speaker 1: so that her memory, at least and her legacy would 162 00:11:19,840 --> 00:11:23,800 Speaker 1: be that people like her would have that one friend 163 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:25,040 Speaker 1: or more. 164 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:33,880 Speaker 2: Or more and date so and go to prom We'll 165 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:48,079 Speaker 2: be right back. The mission is to create lasting relationships 166 00:11:48,120 --> 00:11:53,559 Speaker 2: through joyful interaction. So it's to allow these teens and 167 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 2: now young adults. We are now moving into adults. We're 168 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 2: also potentially looking at some point maybe doing younger kids. 169 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:07,640 Speaker 2: But we just wanted that place where they could come 170 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:12,440 Speaker 2: together and they could feel safe and they could hang 171 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 2: out with each other. So we created E's Club e 172 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 2: Apostrophe S Club that's what the names of the clubs are. 173 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 2: And it is like a mini Dave and Busters. You 174 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:29,480 Speaker 2: walk in, it has ping pong, air hockey, pool tables, 175 00:12:29,520 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 2: ski ball, video gaming, and art session. 176 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 1: Yeah it's actual money. 177 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, most definitely. Oh yeah, so. 178 00:12:40,800 --> 00:12:44,800 Speaker 1: You went out and so you actually built EA's Club. 179 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: Is actually not a group of people, It. 180 00:12:47,679 --> 00:12:49,040 Speaker 3: Is a physical place. 181 00:12:49,920 --> 00:12:51,079 Speaker 1: So tell me about it. 182 00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:54,880 Speaker 2: So the first year we started the five O one 183 00:12:55,000 --> 00:13:01,960 Speaker 2: C three, we had our first fundraiser. She passed away 184 00:13:01,960 --> 00:13:06,320 Speaker 2: in January. We had our first fundraiser June twenty eighth 185 00:13:06,520 --> 00:13:10,440 Speaker 2: because that was her birthday. Wow, and so we said 186 00:13:10,440 --> 00:13:14,280 Speaker 2: it was her birthday party and we. 187 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:17,880 Speaker 3: Gosh, I'm trying to. 188 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:19,920 Speaker 2: Remember how much money we raised. I mean at that 189 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:25,520 Speaker 2: point in time, which was twenty fifteen, it roughly cost 190 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 2: us about seventy to eighty thousand dollars to open the 191 00:13:29,320 --> 00:13:34,679 Speaker 2: physical space. So it is an actual physical open space 192 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:40,320 Speaker 2: with everything that I just talked about in more. And 193 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:44,320 Speaker 2: then we just continued every year with as we do now, 194 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 2: with a fund you know, a big fundraiser a Gallo, 195 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:52,200 Speaker 2: which we just had, and we do other fundraisers throughout 196 00:13:52,240 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 2: the year, and grants and everything else to Our goal 197 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:02,040 Speaker 2: was to be in every state in the United States 198 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:08,839 Speaker 2: by twenty twenty five, but unfortunately COVID that oh well 199 00:14:08,920 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 2: it sloaded down, it like squashed it a little bit. 200 00:14:13,040 --> 00:14:16,200 Speaker 1: So but does exist in Georgia. 201 00:14:16,040 --> 00:14:17,200 Speaker 3: Yes, it exists. 202 00:14:17,200 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 2: So the first club was in Alpharetta, Georgia. Then we 203 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 2: opened the second club in Ackworth, Georgia. So we had 204 00:14:25,120 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 2: two clubs and we had four other states that we 205 00:14:32,760 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 2: were in contact with that they were interested individuals who 206 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:43,400 Speaker 2: wanted to open East Club in those other four states. 207 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:47,960 Speaker 2: And then COVID came and we couldn't meet in person 208 00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:51,720 Speaker 2: any longer, so we ended up we do not own 209 00:14:51,760 --> 00:14:57,640 Speaker 2: these properties. We lease them the build out and everything 210 00:14:57,720 --> 00:14:58,360 Speaker 2: that's in it. 211 00:14:58,480 --> 00:15:00,120 Speaker 3: Well, the first one was very grad. 212 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 2: Roots, as you can imagine, but we try to get 213 00:15:04,120 --> 00:15:09,080 Speaker 2: everything donated, even the buildouts, as much as we can 214 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:13,000 Speaker 2: so we can use the monies that we raise for programming. 215 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 2: And we ended up having to close both of those 216 00:15:17,640 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 2: because we couldn't meet in person. 217 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: But before COVID you went from twenty six kids to 218 00:15:23,880 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 1: two years later, three hundred and seventy kids. 219 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 2: Up to this point, we've helped fifteen hundred children, teens, 220 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:37,120 Speaker 2: young adults. 221 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 1: We have both I want to share three quotes which 222 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 1: speaks to the fifteen hundred people you've helped. A dad 223 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 1: about his son. He doesn't feel pressure, He's not afraid 224 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 1: to say something that someone is going to make fun 225 00:15:55,920 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 1: of him. For another dad, my daughter always said, I 226 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,600 Speaker 1: just wish other kids were like me. Now she has that, 227 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:06,960 Speaker 1: she's surrounded by other kids like her. It means the 228 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:10,040 Speaker 1: world to her. She wouldn't miss it for anything in 229 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 1: the world. A kid a teen, I feel a little 230 00:16:14,200 --> 00:16:16,960 Speaker 1: bit more open here than I am at school. It's 231 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 1: easier to interact with people who are similar to me 232 00:16:20,040 --> 00:16:24,000 Speaker 1: than to force being normal around others. I'm just glad 233 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 1: I can hang out with other people on the spectrum 234 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 1: understand me better than all the kids at my school day. 235 00:16:29,760 --> 00:16:33,840 Speaker 2: Yep, that's it right, that's it in a nutshell, in 236 00:16:33,880 --> 00:16:37,280 Speaker 2: a nutshell, yeah, No, it's at our galla. 237 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:41,040 Speaker 3: We had a young adult. She got up and. 238 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 2: Spoke about her experience in the young adult program. And 239 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 2: it's not just when I talked before about those AHAs 240 00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 2: and those lessons that we've learned. This isn't just about 241 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 2: EA's Club, because when we had to shut those doors 242 00:16:57,280 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 2: within a month, we went virtual. 243 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:01,800 Speaker 3: Still have virtual today. 244 00:17:02,320 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 2: And we have teens and young adults from around the 245 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:12,640 Speaker 2: country and Canada who are part of the virtual program now, 246 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:16,159 Speaker 2: which we're not going to get away. That's not going 247 00:17:16,240 --> 00:17:19,560 Speaker 2: to go away now that we're back in person. But 248 00:17:20,640 --> 00:17:25,560 Speaker 2: at the event, this young lady talked and her dad 249 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:30,400 Speaker 2: came up to me afterwards with just tears rolling down 250 00:17:30,440 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 2: his face, and he came up to me, he hugged me, 251 00:17:33,680 --> 00:17:35,879 Speaker 2: and he says, you don't know how much you've helped me, 252 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 2: and you've helped my family, and that makes it. That's it, 253 00:17:41,720 --> 00:17:45,320 Speaker 2: that's everything, And it's not just a fifteen hundred. It's 254 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:49,159 Speaker 2: a respite for the parents. The parents can drop their 255 00:17:49,240 --> 00:17:53,359 Speaker 2: kids off and have three hours to themselves, to go 256 00:17:53,400 --> 00:17:56,640 Speaker 2: to dinner, to go to a movie, to just sit, 257 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:02,440 Speaker 2: to spend time with the other kids who like my family, 258 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 2: I had a neurotypical daughter and I had Aaron who 259 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,679 Speaker 2: was on the spectrum. What it would have been like 260 00:18:09,760 --> 00:18:11,960 Speaker 2: for Aaron to be able to go and hang out 261 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 2: and make friends with other kids and we could spend time. 262 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 3: With Rachel by yourself. 263 00:18:21,000 --> 00:18:23,880 Speaker 2: The other lesson is is that we have we use 264 00:18:24,040 --> 00:18:27,199 Speaker 2: National Charity League and Young Men's Service League for our 265 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:31,760 Speaker 2: volunteer base, not solely, but they are the largest majority, 266 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 2: and the it's moms and daughters and moms and sons. 267 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:39,360 Speaker 2: And when they walk in the door and you think 268 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:42,720 Speaker 2: about you were asking about you know, level one to 269 00:18:42,800 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 2: level three, and they hear, oh, I'm going to a 270 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:49,360 Speaker 2: club to work with autistic teens and young adults. Well, 271 00:18:49,359 --> 00:18:54,479 Speaker 2: most people the first place they go is three. So 272 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:57,040 Speaker 2: you know they're thinking, well, are they going to be 273 00:18:57,119 --> 00:19:00,000 Speaker 2: non verbal? Like how do I talk to them? 274 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:00,720 Speaker 3: You know they going to get. 275 00:19:00,640 --> 00:19:03,480 Speaker 2: Upset, what are they going to do? And they come 276 00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:06,840 Speaker 2: in like deer in the headlights. They have to be 277 00:19:06,880 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 2: there thirty minutes prior and we just kind of tell them, 278 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 2: you know, we just want you to engage everybody. If 279 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:14,920 Speaker 2: you see somebody sitting by themselves, ask them if they 280 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:18,439 Speaker 2: want to play pool or you know whatever. By the 281 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:22,359 Speaker 2: time they leave, they come up to us and they're like, 282 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,879 Speaker 2: oh my gosh, I've had this is the most fun 283 00:19:24,920 --> 00:19:25,680 Speaker 2: I've ever had. 284 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:28,240 Speaker 3: Do you know Antonio he. 285 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:32,400 Speaker 2: Is hystericle, you know, I mean, they just they have 286 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:36,959 Speaker 2: a blast. And it's so it's become an educational experience 287 00:19:37,920 --> 00:19:42,680 Speaker 2: for those folks who come in as volunteers because now 288 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:44,560 Speaker 2: they see our kids in a different. 289 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,840 Speaker 1: Way, normal folks that were just like you before you 290 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:47,880 Speaker 1: had an autistic kid. 291 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:53,440 Speaker 2: Yes, but they walk away with an appreciation of who 292 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 2: these kids are. 293 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:59,560 Speaker 1: So you got the virtual and you've reopened Where is 294 00:19:59,600 --> 00:20:01,680 Speaker 1: this thing? Now? Where are we now? 295 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:06,600 Speaker 2: Right now? We opened our club in Woodstock, Georgia, So 296 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 2: we have an East club in Woodstock, Georgia. In November eleventh, 297 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:18,160 Speaker 2: we'll be opening our first charter in Lexington, Kentucky. That's 298 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:23,040 Speaker 2: where Aaron was born, so it's really that's special. But 299 00:20:23,600 --> 00:20:26,680 Speaker 2: you know, our goal right now is to have ten 300 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,200 Speaker 2: clubs open by twenty twenty six. 301 00:20:29,119 --> 00:20:31,800 Speaker 1: And you have two we have to and a virtual 302 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 1: and virtual. How many people are served by virtual and 303 00:20:36,119 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: how many will be served by these two clubs? 304 00:20:39,520 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 2: About about well you can have so Virtual is once 305 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:48,360 Speaker 2: a week. Teens are Friday and Saturday nights. Young adults 306 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:52,360 Speaker 2: right now are Sunday nights. Eventually we will fill out 307 00:20:52,400 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 2: the programming through the week with other things that there 308 00:20:56,600 --> 00:21:02,560 Speaker 2: are so many needs now that we've realized for all 309 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 2: of them, adults and teens that I mean, even how 310 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:12,960 Speaker 2: to ask somebody out on a date. How oh yeah, No, 311 00:21:13,040 --> 00:21:17,520 Speaker 2: We've had kids go to prom together. I mean, it's 312 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:20,640 Speaker 2: just I can't the stories I could tell, well, tell 313 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:25,040 Speaker 2: them they're just I mean, it's just so great. Well, Antonio, 314 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 2: who was funny. We had a sixteen year old girl 315 00:21:28,359 --> 00:21:31,320 Speaker 2: who would come and volunteer, and she went to high 316 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:35,479 Speaker 2: school with Antonio. And the one thing that just melted 317 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:37,879 Speaker 2: my heart is she said, when I see Antonio in 318 00:21:37,880 --> 00:21:40,359 Speaker 2: the hallway, I always stop and talk to him. He's 319 00:21:40,400 --> 00:21:43,719 Speaker 2: the funniest guy I've ever met. Well, let me tell you, 320 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:46,639 Speaker 2: there aren't a lot of neurotypical kids who are going 321 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:50,639 Speaker 2: to stop in the hallway in high school. Out of 322 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:54,600 Speaker 2: twenty five hundred kids in a public high school. 323 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:57,280 Speaker 3: And talk to a kid on the spectrum. 324 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:00,359 Speaker 2: But the reason she did that was because as she 325 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,720 Speaker 2: came and she saw and she saw how real and 326 00:22:03,920 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 2: fun and bright. I mean one of the kids that 327 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:12,280 Speaker 2: we had, he was ranked one hundred and eighty first 328 00:22:12,359 --> 00:22:16,240 Speaker 2: in chess in the United States. Wow, and my husband 329 00:22:16,320 --> 00:22:24,120 Speaker 2: tried to play him multiple times. 330 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:37,080 Speaker 1: We'll be right back, we returned. When I asked Stacy 331 00:22:37,160 --> 00:22:42,160 Speaker 1: about how many folks come to East Clubs. 332 00:22:41,880 --> 00:22:45,440 Speaker 2: Well, I mean, it depends on their programming. So if 333 00:22:45,480 --> 00:22:50,080 Speaker 2: you have sixty four, you can have thirty two kids 334 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:54,120 Speaker 2: per night. So that's sixty sixty four on a weekend. 335 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:57,920 Speaker 2: That's just for teens, right, that doesn't include young adults. 336 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:01,240 Speaker 3: And we're open forty eight weeks out of the year. 337 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 2: And then don't ask me to do that math virtual 338 00:23:06,440 --> 00:23:13,560 Speaker 2: virtual right now, roughly about twenty per night, And don't 339 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:17,680 Speaker 2: forget that the parents are being served. And I've when 340 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:22,040 Speaker 2: I've met parents, they've come up to me and told 341 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:26,399 Speaker 2: me about their children being suicidal and or attempting to 342 00:23:26,440 --> 00:23:28,040 Speaker 2: take their life. 343 00:23:28,280 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 3: And now they're still here. 344 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:33,280 Speaker 2: No, and as a result of this that it's helped 345 00:23:33,640 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 2: because they've found a place that's safe, they've found a 346 00:23:36,840 --> 00:23:40,640 Speaker 2: place that they can go be themselves to the quotes 347 00:23:41,040 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 2: that you stated, and not have to worry about being 348 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:51,240 Speaker 2: bullied or made fun of, and everyone. 349 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:51,760 Speaker 3: Accepts each other. 350 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:54,320 Speaker 2: And that's that square peg in the round hole that 351 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:59,720 Speaker 2: I was talking about we really didn't need, which breaks 352 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:05,359 Speaker 2: my art as a mom to try and force that 353 00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:09,520 Speaker 2: square peg in a round hole where really all the 354 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:13,440 Speaker 2: square pegs just need to come together and have fun. 355 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:16,679 Speaker 2: And these kids end up calling each other outside of 356 00:24:16,720 --> 00:24:17,240 Speaker 2: the club. 357 00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:20,080 Speaker 3: They end up meeting each other and doing things. 358 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:24,000 Speaker 1: What kids do exactly because they have a safe place 359 00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:24,399 Speaker 1: to do it. 360 00:24:24,840 --> 00:24:27,879 Speaker 2: Yeah, but they meet each other in that safe place, 361 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:32,160 Speaker 2: and then it grows from there. The friendship grows, which 362 00:24:32,200 --> 00:24:36,680 Speaker 2: is our mission and that it can be a lasting friendship. 363 00:24:37,000 --> 00:24:40,679 Speaker 2: We just had two people who met on virtual and 364 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:43,600 Speaker 2: forgive me, I don't remember where everybody lives. Oh well, 365 00:24:43,680 --> 00:24:49,439 Speaker 2: the one in Canada and another one in Pennsylvania. I 366 00:24:49,480 --> 00:24:55,760 Speaker 2: think the parents got together and the one was going 367 00:24:55,800 --> 00:24:59,000 Speaker 2: on vacation and the parents brought them together so they 368 00:24:59,000 --> 00:24:59,600 Speaker 2: could meet in. 369 00:24:59,560 --> 00:25:04,320 Speaker 3: Person and they got to hang out. How cool is that? 370 00:25:04,320 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 1: That is cool? So cool? I can't quit thinking what 371 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:12,440 Speaker 1: Darren said that if Aaron had one of these interactions, 372 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:15,560 Speaker 1: she'd be with you today and you are literally saving 373 00:25:15,840 --> 00:25:22,800 Speaker 1: lives in Aaron's memory, which, in the coolest sense, is 374 00:25:22,840 --> 00:25:24,000 Speaker 1: probably her legacy. 375 00:25:24,880 --> 00:25:26,240 Speaker 3: I hope, So we hope. 376 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 1: So that's phenomenal. 377 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:32,360 Speaker 2: We want this to be on the same level as 378 00:25:32,400 --> 00:25:36,920 Speaker 2: the Boys and Girls Club. We want that legacy because 379 00:25:37,040 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 2: of all these kids in the United States, all these 380 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:43,760 Speaker 2: young adults, adults. I mean, there's so many needs that 381 00:25:43,800 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 2: we can continue to talk about beyond what we've already found, 382 00:25:50,800 --> 00:25:54,440 Speaker 2: which we're going to work on. But this can be 383 00:25:54,480 --> 00:25:59,320 Speaker 2: a space that's open seven days a week for all 384 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:06,560 Speaker 2: different types of things to help all these individuals feel complete, 385 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:11,960 Speaker 2: feel whole, whole, safe, yes, and productive. 386 00:26:14,359 --> 00:26:18,960 Speaker 1: So you said earlier, by twenty twenty six, you plan 387 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:20,320 Speaker 1: on having ten. 388 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:25,920 Speaker 3: E clubs clubs, yeah, rightes, yes. 389 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:29,919 Speaker 1: And and you want to go you want to be 390 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 1: as big as the Boys and Girls Club. 391 00:26:32,040 --> 00:26:32,720 Speaker 3: That's our goal. 392 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:36,680 Speaker 1: That would be one in every city. Yes, So how 393 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 1: do you get there? 394 00:26:38,240 --> 00:26:41,960 Speaker 3: That's a good question. Who's out there that can help me? 395 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:44,560 Speaker 2: That's what I want to know, which is that's a 396 00:26:44,600 --> 00:26:45,640 Speaker 2: good question. 397 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:51,760 Speaker 1: Which is exactly what you emailed me, which was, now 398 00:26:51,760 --> 00:26:54,439 Speaker 1: I can tell everybody you ill me Hey, this is 399 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:57,639 Speaker 1: what it was, so quick and to the point. I 400 00:26:57,680 --> 00:26:59,920 Speaker 1: love an army and normal folks. I love what you're 401 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:06,800 Speaker 1: or sharing. I love the stories. My daughter had autism 402 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:09,920 Speaker 1: and took her life, and this is what we've done 403 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:14,239 Speaker 1: because of that. You sent me a link, and we 404 00:27:14,480 --> 00:27:17,880 Speaker 1: just want to get the world out to create more 405 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:20,919 Speaker 1: of these places for kids all over the country. It's 406 00:27:20,960 --> 00:27:22,440 Speaker 1: what you said to me in your email. I don't 407 00:27:22,440 --> 00:27:25,920 Speaker 1: know if you remember, but I read it today. Yeah, 408 00:27:26,440 --> 00:27:28,560 Speaker 1: what do you need? It sounds like you need people. 409 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,359 Speaker 1: It sounds like you need families that are struggling with 410 00:27:32,400 --> 00:27:34,680 Speaker 1: the same things you guys were struggling with with a 411 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:39,560 Speaker 1: child with autism, and you need them to call you 412 00:27:39,640 --> 00:27:41,680 Speaker 1: and learn how it's done and get involved. 413 00:27:41,960 --> 00:27:46,880 Speaker 2: Absolutely, it'll roughly to get to ten by ten, ten 414 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 2: by twenty twenty six. I mean it's probably about two 415 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:54,640 Speaker 2: and a half million dollars. It takes us roughly about 416 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:57,040 Speaker 2: one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to 417 00:27:57,119 --> 00:28:00,160 Speaker 2: run a club for a year, and that's including staff. 418 00:28:01,600 --> 00:28:02,600 Speaker 3: So it's. 419 00:28:04,000 --> 00:28:06,640 Speaker 2: It's daunting, but we'll do it. 420 00:28:06,040 --> 00:28:09,359 Speaker 1: You know, it's a lot, but it's actually not a lot. 421 00:28:09,600 --> 00:28:13,119 Speaker 1: I mean, it's a lot of money. But with all 422 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:16,600 Speaker 1: of the riches available to people in this world looking 423 00:28:16,680 --> 00:28:20,480 Speaker 1: for good quality things to do that actually do change 424 00:28:20,680 --> 00:28:26,119 Speaker 1: and save lives, I've got to believe there's people hearing 425 00:28:26,160 --> 00:28:28,400 Speaker 1: this right now that are like, oh, yeah, I want 426 00:28:28,440 --> 00:28:31,080 Speaker 1: to do that, or I have an autism person in 427 00:28:31,080 --> 00:28:37,600 Speaker 1: my family, or I know somebody that does. And what 428 00:28:37,760 --> 00:28:40,840 Speaker 1: an amazing mission that you and and I mean, you're 429 00:28:40,880 --> 00:28:43,560 Speaker 1: still right, You're you're working, right, You've got a life. 430 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:46,160 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, yeah, still working. 431 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:49,960 Speaker 1: Still working in still working, doing your thing. So the 432 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:53,120 Speaker 1: other part to this is beyond the ten thousand. Exactly 433 00:28:53,160 --> 00:28:57,360 Speaker 1: what you said was think of all of the families 434 00:28:57,400 --> 00:29:00,840 Speaker 1: and all of the rachels who are being post affected 435 00:29:00,880 --> 00:29:04,480 Speaker 1: by this too. I mean, this thing just has tentacles 436 00:29:04,520 --> 00:29:08,440 Speaker 1: that are far reaching to every community that it's in. 437 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:13,840 Speaker 2: Oh absolutely, I mean just the families, just like the 438 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 2: dad who came up to me two weeks ago in tears. 439 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:20,240 Speaker 2: You know, it's helped them because it helped their child, 440 00:29:20,840 --> 00:29:24,160 Speaker 2: therefore it helped the family. I mean, it is a 441 00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:25,280 Speaker 2: trickle effect. 442 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:30,800 Speaker 1: Well, I think also maybe it can serve to be 443 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:34,000 Speaker 1: a conduit to for their education. To people who don't 444 00:29:34,080 --> 00:29:36,520 Speaker 1: deal with autism and their family and their childs to 445 00:29:36,760 --> 00:29:40,600 Speaker 1: just understand that this is a very real thing and 446 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:44,280 Speaker 1: it's not trivial and it shouldn't be made fun of. 447 00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 1: And as parents, we have a responsibility to teach our 448 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 1: children better. 449 00:29:48,760 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 3: Absolutely we do. 450 00:29:51,040 --> 00:29:54,960 Speaker 2: I agree, And that's why I love that we bring 451 00:29:56,280 --> 00:30:01,040 Speaker 2: the volunteer base in who gets that education in person 452 00:30:02,000 --> 00:30:04,200 Speaker 2: and get you how see these kids and how funny 453 00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:06,800 Speaker 2: and smart and I mean. 454 00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:09,360 Speaker 3: It's just there's there's so Like. 455 00:30:09,280 --> 00:30:13,680 Speaker 2: You said, I love the octopus and the tentacles because 456 00:30:13,720 --> 00:30:17,280 Speaker 2: that's we we created. The head of the octopus and 457 00:30:17,320 --> 00:30:20,160 Speaker 2: the tentacles are just coming out. And the things that 458 00:30:20,200 --> 00:30:24,400 Speaker 2: we're learning and the things that we can do through 459 00:30:24,720 --> 00:30:28,160 Speaker 2: Aaron's Hope and through Ease Club, and the number of 460 00:30:28,200 --> 00:30:32,120 Speaker 2: people that we can reach not only the autistic kids 461 00:30:32,200 --> 00:30:37,920 Speaker 2: but beyond is it's unlimited because we learn something new 462 00:30:37,960 --> 00:30:38,440 Speaker 2: every day. 463 00:30:39,400 --> 00:30:43,720 Speaker 1: Aaron's Hope for Friends Foundation, anybody who's listened that wants 464 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 1: to be involved, or who is struck by this and says, 465 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:50,720 Speaker 1: this is something I want to do and can do. 466 00:30:52,040 --> 00:30:53,880 Speaker 1: Who do they call? How do they do it? 467 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:55,160 Speaker 3: They can call me? 468 00:30:55,680 --> 00:30:57,720 Speaker 1: How does that work? Do they call you? Email you? 469 00:30:57,800 --> 00:30:58,360 Speaker 1: How to get me? 470 00:30:58,440 --> 00:31:01,560 Speaker 3: They can call me at six seven eight seven three. 471 00:31:01,520 --> 00:31:06,240 Speaker 2: Nine nine nine nine nine. They can email me at 472 00:31:06,520 --> 00:31:11,080 Speaker 2: Stacyhorst at kW dot com. S T A C Y 473 00:31:12,000 --> 00:31:16,800 Speaker 2: h O R s T at k W dot com. 474 00:31:17,240 --> 00:31:20,360 Speaker 2: You can reach out to our website, which is Aaron's 475 00:31:20,400 --> 00:31:24,440 Speaker 2: Hope for Friends dot org. There's a contact page you 476 00:31:24,480 --> 00:31:27,680 Speaker 2: can fill that out. You can also send an email 477 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:30,720 Speaker 2: to info at Aaron's Hope for Friends dot org. 478 00:31:31,680 --> 00:31:34,680 Speaker 1: If there's ever a calling for an army of normal 479 00:31:34,760 --> 00:31:38,840 Speaker 1: folks to get involved, this is it, because that's what's 480 00:31:38,880 --> 00:31:41,560 Speaker 1: going to fix it. The government's not going to fix it. 481 00:31:41,680 --> 00:31:44,440 Speaker 1: Talking about it's not going to fix it. Nothing's going 482 00:31:44,520 --> 00:31:46,920 Speaker 1: to fix it, but just somebody like you and Darren 483 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:57,760 Speaker 1: who said our children deserve better, and your rock and 484 00:31:58,240 --> 00:32:04,760 Speaker 1: I am just beyond and amazed by how you've taken 485 00:32:05,000 --> 00:32:08,080 Speaker 1: the most traumatic thing that could have ever happened to 486 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:11,080 Speaker 1: you in your life and turned it into a positive 487 00:32:12,080 --> 00:32:15,080 Speaker 1: and honor of your daughter so that her legacy lives 488 00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:21,720 Speaker 1: on in a purposeful way. It is a phenomenal story 489 00:32:22,160 --> 00:32:35,360 Speaker 1: of sadness and depth and redemption and hope. And you know, nobody, 490 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:38,480 Speaker 1: nobody tabbed you and said go do this. Nobody gave 491 00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:40,840 Speaker 1: you a foundation and so go do it. You're just 492 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:45,040 Speaker 1: a normal mom and a normal life raising two kids 493 00:32:45,080 --> 00:32:52,200 Speaker 1: the best you know how whoo who very personally felt 494 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:54,800 Speaker 1: and saw a need as a result of some great 495 00:32:54,880 --> 00:32:57,920 Speaker 1: sadness and decided to fill it. And you're saving and 496 00:32:58,040 --> 00:33:02,040 Speaker 1: changing lives and helping families as a result of it. 497 00:33:02,160 --> 00:33:06,360 Speaker 1: And I am beyond honored to have talked to you 498 00:33:06,360 --> 00:33:08,600 Speaker 1: about it, And thank you so much for sharing in 499 00:33:08,680 --> 00:33:12,200 Speaker 1: depth the very personal side of the of your story 500 00:33:12,360 --> 00:33:16,719 Speaker 1: so that people can really understand the importance of what 501 00:33:16,760 --> 00:33:21,400 Speaker 1: you're doing. I am it's the first one I've teared 502 00:33:21,520 --> 00:33:25,360 Speaker 1: up in and I've heard some stories, And thank you 503 00:33:25,440 --> 00:33:28,120 Speaker 1: for being the very first of our organic guests. So 504 00:33:29,240 --> 00:33:32,560 Speaker 1: you are you, You are, you are, You will be 505 00:33:32,680 --> 00:33:35,640 Speaker 1: deep in the history of an army of normal folks forever. 506 00:33:37,480 --> 00:33:39,640 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for coming to Memphis and sharing 507 00:33:39,680 --> 00:33:41,880 Speaker 1: your story with us and all the amazing work you're doing. 508 00:33:41,920 --> 00:33:44,479 Speaker 2: Stacey, Well, thank you so much for having me and 509 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:48,200 Speaker 2: what you're doing with the podcast, because it's amazing. 510 00:33:48,600 --> 00:33:55,760 Speaker 1: Thanks very much, and thank you for joining us this week. 511 00:33:55,840 --> 00:33:59,160 Speaker 1: If Stacy or another guest has inspired you in general 512 00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:01,880 Speaker 1: or better, you have to take action by starting an 513 00:34:01,880 --> 00:34:05,880 Speaker 1: East club, or by donating to Aaron's Hope for Friends, 514 00:34:07,040 --> 00:34:10,080 Speaker 1: or something else entirely. Please let me know I'd love 515 00:34:10,160 --> 00:34:13,200 Speaker 1: to hear about it. You can write me anytime at 516 00:34:13,200 --> 00:34:17,480 Speaker 1: Bill at Normalfolks dot us and I will respond. You 517 00:34:17,520 --> 00:34:21,640 Speaker 1: know a special note after this episode. If you heard 518 00:34:21,640 --> 00:34:24,240 Speaker 1: what you've just heard and aren't inspired to talk about 519 00:34:24,280 --> 00:34:28,080 Speaker 1: any kids in your family, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and certainly 520 00:34:28,160 --> 00:34:34,160 Speaker 1: your kids, this story should certainly awaken us to the 521 00:34:36,680 --> 00:34:42,520 Speaker 1: desperation felt by some due to bullying and exclusion. We 522 00:34:42,600 --> 00:34:46,560 Speaker 1: have responsibility, y'all. We have responsibility raise our kids with 523 00:34:46,600 --> 00:34:50,279 Speaker 1: an empathetic heart and an understanding about the dangers of 524 00:34:50,400 --> 00:34:56,479 Speaker 1: bullying and the importance of inclusion. I hope you'll think 525 00:34:56,520 --> 00:35:00,600 Speaker 1: about Aaron next time you see your own children, pray 526 00:35:00,680 --> 00:35:03,200 Speaker 1: that they never have to go through what she went through, 527 00:35:03,239 --> 00:35:10,640 Speaker 1: and also take action to teach and foster a level 528 00:35:10,640 --> 00:35:13,320 Speaker 1: of empathy and understanding and love in our kids' hearts. 529 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:16,560 Speaker 1: And I hope this story motivates you to, at the 530 00:35:16,680 --> 00:35:20,319 Speaker 1: very least do that. If you enjoyed this episode, share 531 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:23,080 Speaker 1: it with friends and on social subscribe to the podcast, 532 00:35:23,200 --> 00:35:26,720 Speaker 1: rate it, review it, become a premium number at normal 533 00:35:26,760 --> 00:35:29,120 Speaker 1: Folks dot us. All these things that will help us 534 00:35:29,160 --> 00:35:33,720 Speaker 1: grow an army of normal folks for our premium members 535 00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:37,840 Speaker 1: will have bonus content from this episode and it's actually 536 00:35:38,160 --> 00:35:41,600 Speaker 1: the hilarious story about how Stacy and her husband Darren met, 537 00:35:42,160 --> 00:35:43,960 Speaker 1: and if you don't want to miss it, become a 538 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:47,920 Speaker 1: Premium member today. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsor 539 00:35:47,920 --> 00:35:51,279 Speaker 1: at iron Light Laps. I'm Bill Courtney. I'll see you 540 00:35:51,320 --> 00:35:51,800 Speaker 1: next week.