1 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:08,160 Speaker 1: Hey, everybody, it's Bill Courtney with an army of normal folks. 2 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:11,080 Speaker 1: And we continue with part two of our conversation with 3 00:00:11,080 --> 00:00:28,440 Speaker 1: Stacy Horst. Right after these brief messages from our generous sponsors, 4 00:00:29,240 --> 00:00:34,320 Speaker 1: let's talk about those kids. Sixty one percent of kids 5 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:39,320 Speaker 1: with level one autism fall subject of bullying and social isolation. 6 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:45,199 Speaker 1: Sixty six three out of five kids that are already 7 00:00:45,280 --> 00:00:52,400 Speaker 1: struggling with having autism are bullied and subject social isolation, 8 00:00:52,680 --> 00:00:58,520 Speaker 1: with depression rates and suicidal thoughts fifty percent higher, and 9 00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 1: children with level one autism than the general population, meaning 10 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: that there's a large number of kids with autism trying 11 00:01:09,120 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: to mainstream and get through life, handling their difficulties and 12 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:17,000 Speaker 1: their families along with them. And there's a bunch of 13 00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,200 Speaker 1: those kids that are having suicidal thoughts because they're so 14 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,920 Speaker 1: sad and so isolated as a result of the people 15 00:01:22,959 --> 00:01:24,160 Speaker 1: around them bullying. 16 00:01:23,840 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 2: Them one out of ten. 17 00:01:26,959 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 3: As a has suicidal tendencies one out of ten. Then 18 00:01:32,280 --> 00:01:39,800 Speaker 3: you know, in Tennessee, Florida, right now, there's diagnosed roughly 19 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:43,000 Speaker 3: four hundred and thirty five thousand autistic adults, and that 20 00:01:43,040 --> 00:01:46,119 Speaker 3: can be an eighteen year old. So if Tennessee has 21 00:01:46,160 --> 00:01:48,080 Speaker 3: one hundred and forty five thousand. 22 00:01:48,400 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 1: Okay, so if you're in Florida, you said four thirty 23 00:01:50,960 --> 00:01:56,840 Speaker 1: five yep, ten percent. That means there's forty three thousand 24 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,960 Speaker 1: suicidal autistic people in the state of Florida right now. 25 00:02:00,440 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 1: That's what the mouth said. 26 00:02:01,480 --> 00:02:05,280 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, well that's I mean, they have suicidal thoughts. 27 00:02:05,280 --> 00:02:07,560 Speaker 3: And I think in level one when we go back 28 00:02:07,600 --> 00:02:10,760 Speaker 3: to what you were talking about before, in terms of 29 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,840 Speaker 3: level one, two and three. And I am not a 30 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:18,400 Speaker 3: psychologist or a psychiatrist, I don't play one on TV. 31 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:26,920 Speaker 3: I you know, level one. They're more aware of what's 32 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:31,440 Speaker 3: going on around them, I believe, and they're more aware of. 33 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:38,079 Speaker 1: The isolation, which makes them probably more susceptible to suicidal 34 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:42,959 Speaker 1: tendencies because much like my brother in law Ben, they're 35 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 1: high enough functioning they see it. So honestly, if you're 36 00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:55,280 Speaker 1: sitting here listening to us, should I befoid even get 37 00:02:55,280 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: to the there is redemption coming everybody. It's not. That's 38 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:04,280 Speaker 1: all ball listening to this day. But if you didn't 39 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:06,960 Speaker 1: tear up here in the story so far, something's wrong 40 00:03:07,040 --> 00:03:14,000 Speaker 1: with you. This should be a call. There should be 41 00:03:14,040 --> 00:03:20,000 Speaker 1: a call to parents, if you have kids and you're 42 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:24,120 Speaker 1: blessed with happy, healthy, completely functional, normal kids without a 43 00:03:24,160 --> 00:03:28,760 Speaker 1: whole bunch of stuff. For goodness sakes, talk to them. 44 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:32,440 Speaker 1: Explain to him that sometimes there are people around you 45 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:38,520 Speaker 1: that aren't just like you, but they are most deserving 46 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:41,400 Speaker 1: of our grace and our understanding. Talk to your kids, 47 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 1: because we could fix a lot of this if just 48 00:03:43,840 --> 00:03:47,440 Speaker 1: parents would have kids have a more understanding, graceful heart 49 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:51,000 Speaker 1: about people around them that may look or act a 50 00:03:51,000 --> 00:03:51,720 Speaker 1: little differently. 51 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:53,000 Speaker 3: Amen. 52 00:03:54,480 --> 00:04:00,080 Speaker 1: So that's one. Number two is Aaron's story is the 53 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:04,280 Speaker 1: one we are learning about no today. But the data 54 00:04:04,320 --> 00:04:08,040 Speaker 1: shows that Aaron's story is not at all a one off. 55 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: And unfortunately, Aaron's story also puts a light on the 56 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: fact that there are a lot of people who are 57 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 1: probably quietly and may be very maybe even unknown, having 58 00:04:26,720 --> 00:04:30,240 Speaker 1: suicidal thoughts as a result of their isolation, they're bullying 59 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 1: and the way people around them treat them. Absolutely, they're 60 00:04:34,120 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 1: not creating They're not thinking of committing suicide because of 61 00:04:38,120 --> 00:04:42,320 Speaker 1: the autism. They're thinking creating suicide because of how people 62 00:04:42,480 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: treat them, because they have something that they didn't ask 63 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:48,599 Speaker 1: for and that they're trying to deal with in their life, 64 00:04:48,680 --> 00:04:53,480 Speaker 1: which if you think about the depth of that is heartbreaking. 65 00:04:54,640 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 3: It's very heartbreaking, and a lot of them choose to 66 00:04:58,040 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 3: be isolated because that's the only anyway they can be, 67 00:05:02,680 --> 00:05:05,919 Speaker 3: which I think is wrong too, because so many of 68 00:05:05,960 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 3: them they're persons. Some of the friends that Aaron did 69 00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:13,960 Speaker 3: have every year on the anniversary of her death, they 70 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:17,800 Speaker 3: reach out and which you know, I think is beautiful, 71 00:05:18,000 --> 00:05:23,120 Speaker 3: and they are all on the spectrum. And even this 72 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 3: year in January, one of them she said, I just 73 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 3: choose to be by myself. 74 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,120 Speaker 1: Because at least when she's by herself, she doesn't get. 75 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:35,760 Speaker 3: Rid of killed, yes, and she knows what to expect. 76 00:05:35,880 --> 00:05:36,040 Speaker 1: Right. 77 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:40,440 Speaker 3: Well, we're all creatures of habit in our lives and 78 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 3: want normalacy and schedule. And it's kind of like knowing 79 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 3: when you come into work most of the time, you 80 00:05:50,240 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 3: know what's going to happen today. You know there's going 81 00:05:53,600 --> 00:05:55,919 Speaker 3: to be something different here and there, but not on 82 00:05:56,000 --> 00:05:56,919 Speaker 3: a major scale. 83 00:05:57,640 --> 00:06:01,120 Speaker 2: So we all have of you know, the. 84 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:04,600 Speaker 3: Ability to go through life and it's just going to 85 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:07,160 Speaker 3: be kind of going along except for the bumps in 86 00:06:07,240 --> 00:06:11,600 Speaker 3: the road, where I think they sometimes isolate themselves because 87 00:06:11,640 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 3: they don't they don't want to have to deal with. 88 00:06:16,000 --> 00:06:19,239 Speaker 2: More bumps than we have. Because if you put. 89 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:22,880 Speaker 3: Yourself out there and you get shot down, you put 90 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:26,000 Speaker 3: yourself out there and nobody pays attention to you. You 91 00:06:26,040 --> 00:06:29,480 Speaker 3: put yourself out there and nobody talks to you, then 92 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 3: why do it? 93 00:06:30,600 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 1: Well? And imagine. 94 00:06:33,279 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 3: And there's a great there's a great lesson when we 95 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 3: get to the other part, the redemption part. 96 00:06:40,160 --> 00:06:41,080 Speaker 1: We're getting there now. 97 00:06:41,160 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 3: There are great lessons and all of that. 98 00:06:44,920 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: So back to that fourth day you are and I 99 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:55,040 Speaker 1: interrupted you because I just had this visceral reaction to 100 00:06:57,920 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 1: I'd honestly do not know how you got through that. 101 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 1: But on that day you side to be a rock. 102 00:07:04,880 --> 00:07:07,360 Speaker 1: Tell me what that being a rock looks like and 103 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:10,880 Speaker 1: what you decided and what that was. 104 00:07:14,640 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 3: Well, I can tell you one thing that without our faith, 105 00:07:19,000 --> 00:07:20,040 Speaker 3: this wouldn't have happened. 106 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:21,679 Speaker 2: There's no way. 107 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:30,200 Speaker 3: Couples who lose a child one in four get divorced 108 00:07:31,840 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 3: and very quickly because of the trauma and everything else. 109 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 3: We just we sat down on the floor again and 110 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:44,040 Speaker 3: realized that there has to be something that we can 111 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:48,360 Speaker 3: do to bring these kids out of isolation, to be 112 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 3: able to have a place that they can go on 113 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 3: the weekends when they're being isolated from the rest of 114 00:07:56,280 --> 00:08:01,800 Speaker 3: the world to have fun, to go be who they are, 115 00:08:03,400 --> 00:08:08,160 Speaker 3: whether you know that's sitting there for three months, which 116 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 3: we had one one gentleman, do you know, And so 117 00:08:14,240 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 3: it kind of it started from there and we thought 118 00:08:17,520 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 3: about somewhere fun like Dave and Busters, where you can 119 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:31,480 Speaker 3: go and just play games, just be no therapy, absolutely none, 120 00:08:32,000 --> 00:08:38,600 Speaker 3: somewhere where there are no parents because oh yeah, because 121 00:08:38,640 --> 00:08:42,559 Speaker 3: as parents and those people who are listening and you 122 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:46,200 Speaker 3: parent of an autistic child, you or a child with 123 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:50,720 Speaker 3: special needs, as they're growing up, you continue to try 124 00:08:50,840 --> 00:08:54,920 Speaker 3: and help them and part of that helping is correction. 125 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:01,880 Speaker 3: And we didn't want this to have anything. 126 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:02,120 Speaker 2: To do with that. 127 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:06,439 Speaker 3: It's just a place where they can come hang out. 128 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 3: No parents, nobody correcting themal. 129 00:09:11,760 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely little kids. 130 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 3: Yeah. And one of the lessons that we learned in 131 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:21,760 Speaker 3: that is, you know, as a parent, you take your 132 00:09:21,840 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 3: kids to all these things PTOT, social skills groups, you 133 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:34,400 Speaker 3: name it whatever. In the last eight years, nine years, 134 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:39,000 Speaker 3: we've learned that. And this is my analogy, so nobody 135 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:43,840 Speaker 3: throw rocks at me. But anyway, I call our members 136 00:09:44,080 --> 00:09:48,440 Speaker 3: our square pegs, and you know, it's like you take 137 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,040 Speaker 3: your kids to all this type of therapy, trying to 138 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 3: take a square peg and fit it in a round 139 00:09:53,200 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 3: hole to make them normal so that they can be 140 00:09:58,600 --> 00:10:01,600 Speaker 3: out in the world with what we call normal or 141 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 3: neurotypical individuals, when really all they've ever needed this whole 142 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 3: time is to be with each other. They all they 143 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:18,400 Speaker 3: don't care about their quirks. They don't care. We have 144 00:10:18,480 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 3: thirty two kids with one staff around bert well two 145 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:27,080 Speaker 3: staff members now and eight volunteers, and they can flit 146 00:10:27,160 --> 00:10:30,280 Speaker 3: around the room. They can do whatever they want and 147 00:10:30,400 --> 00:10:32,800 Speaker 3: nobody cares. 148 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:34,560 Speaker 1: And they have a ball and if they don't look 149 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:37,239 Speaker 1: somebody in the eyes, will hell, everybody there understands. 150 00:10:37,240 --> 00:10:39,960 Speaker 2: Why Yep, it's okay, it's okay. 151 00:10:40,160 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 1: I get you. 152 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, absolutely so. We so we decided to create 153 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 3: a five O one C three. We didn't know what 154 00:10:48,800 --> 00:10:54,480 Speaker 3: that would look like, and we came up with the 155 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:58,720 Speaker 3: tied Aaron's Hope for Friends because she always hoped for 156 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 3: a good friend. And as my husband has said, if 157 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:08,000 Speaker 3: Aaron had had one good friend, she'd probably still be here. 158 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 1: And so you called it Aaron's Hope for Friends Foundation, 159 00:11:12,920 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 1: so that her memory, at least and her legacy would 160 00:11:19,880 --> 00:11:23,840 Speaker 1: be that people like her would have that one friend 161 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: or more. 162 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 3: Or more and date so and go to prom We'll 163 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:48,120 Speaker 3: be right back. The mission is to create lasting relationships 164 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:53,560 Speaker 3: through joyful interaction. So it's to allow these teens and 165 00:11:54,120 --> 00:11:59,280 Speaker 3: now young adults. We are now moving into adults. We're 166 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:03,560 Speaker 3: also potentially looking at some point maybe doing younger kids. 167 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:07,680 Speaker 3: But we just wanted that place where they could come 168 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 3: together and they could feel safe and they could hang 169 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:17,959 Speaker 3: out with each other. So we created E's Club e 170 00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:23,040 Speaker 3: Apostrophe S Club that's what the names of the clubs are. 171 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 3: And it is like a mini Dave and Busters. You 172 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,400 Speaker 3: walk in, it has ping pong, air hockey, pool table, 173 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:37,480 Speaker 3: ski ball, video gaming and art section. Peyeh oh yeah 174 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:38,359 Speaker 3: most definitely. 175 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, so you went out and so you actually 176 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: built E's Club. Is actually not a group of people, 177 00:12:47,480 --> 00:12:47,839 Speaker 1: it is. 178 00:12:47,840 --> 00:12:49,080 Speaker 2: A physical place. 179 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:53,000 Speaker 1: So tell me about So the first. 180 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:55,800 Speaker 3: Year we started the five O one C three, we 181 00:12:56,160 --> 00:13:03,000 Speaker 3: had our first fundraiser. She passed away in January. We 182 00:13:03,080 --> 00:13:07,200 Speaker 3: had our first fundraiser June twenty eighth because that was 183 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:10,840 Speaker 3: her birthday. Wow, and so we said it was her 184 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:14,320 Speaker 3: birthday party and we. 185 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:19,200 Speaker 2: Gosh, I'm trying to remember how much money we raised. 186 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:23,200 Speaker 3: I mean at that point in time, which was twenty fifteen, 187 00:13:24,440 --> 00:13:28,440 Speaker 3: it roughly cost us about seventy to eighty thousand dollars 188 00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:32,840 Speaker 3: to open the physical space. So it is an actual 189 00:13:32,960 --> 00:13:37,040 Speaker 3: physical open space with everything that I just talked about 190 00:13:37,080 --> 00:13:43,120 Speaker 3: in more. And then we just continued every year with 191 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:46,280 Speaker 3: as we do now, with a fund you know, a 192 00:13:46,320 --> 00:13:50,600 Speaker 3: big fundraiser a gallo, which we just had, and we 193 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:55,000 Speaker 3: do other fundraisers throughout the year, and grants and everything 194 00:13:55,040 --> 00:14:00,440 Speaker 3: else to our goal was to be in every state 195 00:14:00,679 --> 00:14:05,040 Speaker 3: in the United States by twenty twenty five, but unfortunately 196 00:14:05,360 --> 00:14:07,400 Speaker 3: covidload that. 197 00:14:07,720 --> 00:14:09,679 Speaker 2: Oh well it's loaded down. 198 00:14:09,760 --> 00:14:12,640 Speaker 3: It like squashed it a little bit. 199 00:14:13,080 --> 00:14:16,720 Speaker 1: So does exists in Georgia, Yes. 200 00:14:16,600 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 2: It exists. 201 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 3: So the first club was in Alpharetta, Georgia. Then we 202 00:14:20,440 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 3: opened the second club in Ackworth, Georgia. So we had 203 00:14:25,160 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 3: two clubs and we had four other states that we 204 00:14:32,800 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 3: were in contact with that they were interested individuals who 205 00:14:38,920 --> 00:14:43,400 Speaker 3: wanted to open eas club in those other four states. 206 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:48,000 Speaker 3: And then COVID came and we couldn't meet in person 207 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:50,920 Speaker 3: any longer, so we ended up. 208 00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 2: We do not own these properties. 209 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:58,400 Speaker 3: We lease them the build out and everything that's in it. 210 00:14:58,520 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 2: Well, the first one was very grad. 211 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 3: Roots, as you can imagine, but we try to get 212 00:15:04,160 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 3: everything donated, even the buildouts, as much as we can 213 00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:13,040 Speaker 3: so we can use the monies that we raise for programming. 214 00:15:13,840 --> 00:15:17,560 Speaker 3: And we ended up having to close both of those 215 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:19,160 Speaker 3: because we couldn't meet in person. 216 00:15:19,800 --> 00:15:23,800 Speaker 1: But before COVID you went from twenty six kids to 217 00:15:23,920 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: two years later, three hundred and seventy kids. 218 00:15:27,480 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 3: Up to this point, we've helped fifteen hundred children, teens, 219 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:37,160 Speaker 3: young adults. 220 00:15:37,200 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 1: We have both I want to share three quotes which 221 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 1: speaks to the fifteen hundred people you've helped. A dad 222 00:15:50,320 --> 00:15:53,800 Speaker 1: about his son. He doesn't feel pressure, He's not afraid 223 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 1: to say something that someone is going to make fun 224 00:15:55,920 --> 00:16:00,160 Speaker 1: of him. For another dad, my daughter always said, I 225 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:03,640 Speaker 1: just wish other kids were like me. Now she has that, 226 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:07,000 Speaker 1: she's surrounded by other kids like her. It means the 227 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 1: world to her. She wouldn't miss it for anything in 228 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 1: the world. A kid a teen, I feel a little 229 00:16:14,240 --> 00:16:17,000 Speaker 1: bit more open here than I am at school. It's 230 00:16:17,040 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 1: easier to interact with people who are similar to me 231 00:16:20,080 --> 00:16:24,040 Speaker 1: than to force being normal around others. I'm just glad 232 00:16:24,080 --> 00:16:26,160 Speaker 1: I can hang out with other people on the spectrum 233 00:16:26,360 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: understand me better than all the kids at my school day. Yep, 234 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:31,720 Speaker 1: that's it. 235 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:35,320 Speaker 3: Right, that's it in a nutshell, in a nutshell, yeah, No, 236 00:16:35,400 --> 00:16:38,960 Speaker 3: it's at our galla. We had a young adult. She 237 00:16:39,080 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 3: got up and spoke about her experience in the young 238 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:49,400 Speaker 3: adult program. And it's not just when I talked before 239 00:16:49,440 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 3: about those AHAs and those lessons that we've learned. This 240 00:16:53,480 --> 00:16:56,160 Speaker 3: isn't just about EA's Club, because when we had to 241 00:16:56,160 --> 00:16:58,960 Speaker 3: shut those doors within a month, we went virtual. 242 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 2: We still have virtual today. 243 00:17:02,360 --> 00:17:08,000 Speaker 3: And we have teens and young adults from around the 244 00:17:08,040 --> 00:17:12,640 Speaker 3: country and Canada who are part of the virtual program now, 245 00:17:13,400 --> 00:17:16,199 Speaker 3: which we're not going to get away. That's not going 246 00:17:16,240 --> 00:17:19,600 Speaker 3: to go away now that we're back in person. But 247 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:25,600 Speaker 3: at the event, this young lady talked and her dad 248 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:30,440 Speaker 3: came up to me afterwards with just tears rolling down 249 00:17:30,480 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 3: his face, and he came up to me, he hugged me, 250 00:17:33,720 --> 00:17:35,879 Speaker 3: and he says, you don't know how much you've helped me, 251 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:39,119 Speaker 3: and you've helped my family, and. 252 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:39,640 Speaker 2: That makes it. 253 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 3: That's it, that's everything, And it's not just a fifteen hundred. 254 00:17:45,119 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 3: It's a respite for the parents. The parents can drop 255 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:53,199 Speaker 3: their kids off and have three hours to themselves, to 256 00:17:53,280 --> 00:17:56,680 Speaker 3: go to dinner, to go to a movie, to just sit, 257 00:17:57,760 --> 00:18:02,480 Speaker 3: to spend time with the other kids who like my family, 258 00:18:02,520 --> 00:18:06,440 Speaker 3: I had a neurotypical daughter and I had Aaron who 259 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,719 Speaker 3: was on the spectrum. What it would have been like 260 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 3: for Aaron to be able to go and hang out 261 00:18:12,040 --> 00:18:15,760 Speaker 3: and make friends with other kids and we could spend time. 262 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 2: With Rachel by yourself. 263 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:23,880 Speaker 3: The other lesson is is that we have we use 264 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:27,199 Speaker 3: National Charity League and Young Men's Service League for our 265 00:18:27,320 --> 00:18:31,800 Speaker 3: volunteer base, not solely, but they are the largest majority, 266 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:36,600 Speaker 3: and the it's moms and daughters and moms and sons. 267 00:18:36,960 --> 00:18:39,360 Speaker 3: And when they walk in the door and you think 268 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:42,720 Speaker 3: about you were asking about you know, level one to 269 00:18:42,840 --> 00:18:45,960 Speaker 3: level three, and they hear, oh, I'm going to a 270 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:49,360 Speaker 3: club to work with autistic teens and young adults. Well, 271 00:18:49,400 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 3: most people the first place they go is three. So 272 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:57,000 Speaker 3: you know they're thinking, well, are they going to. 273 00:18:57,000 --> 00:18:57,800 Speaker 2: Be non verbal? 274 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,159 Speaker 3: Like how do I talk to them? You know they 275 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:02,040 Speaker 3: going to get upset, what are they going to do? 276 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:05,880 Speaker 2: And they come in like deer in the headlights. 277 00:19:06,359 --> 00:19:08,359 Speaker 3: They have to be there thirty minutes prior and we 278 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:10,520 Speaker 3: just kind of tell them, you know, we just want 279 00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:14,280 Speaker 3: you to engage everybody. If you see somebody sitting by themselves, 280 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:16,639 Speaker 3: ask them if they want to play pool or you 281 00:19:16,680 --> 00:19:21,639 Speaker 3: know whatever. By the time they leave, they come up 282 00:19:21,680 --> 00:19:23,920 Speaker 3: to us and they're like, oh my gosh, I've had 283 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:27,119 Speaker 3: this is the most fun I've ever had. Do you 284 00:19:27,200 --> 00:19:31,520 Speaker 3: know Antonio he is hystericle, you know, I mean, they 285 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 3: just they have a blast. And it's so it's become 286 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:41,439 Speaker 3: an educational experience for those folks who come in as 287 00:19:41,520 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 3: volunteers because now they see our kids in a different. 288 00:19:44,320 --> 00:19:46,879 Speaker 1: Way, normal folks that were just like you before you 289 00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:47,960 Speaker 1: had an autistic kid. 290 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:53,440 Speaker 3: Yes, but they walk away with an appreciation of who 291 00:19:53,480 --> 00:19:54,359 Speaker 3: these kids are. 292 00:19:55,040 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 1: So you got the virtual and you reopened. Where is 293 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 1: this thing? Now? Where are we now? 294 00:20:01,920 --> 00:20:06,640 Speaker 3: Right now? We opened our club in Woodstock, Georgia, So 295 00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:12,920 Speaker 3: we have an East club in Woodstock, Georgia. In November eleventh, 296 00:20:13,480 --> 00:20:18,200 Speaker 3: we'll be opening our first charter in Lexington, Kentucky. That's 297 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:23,080 Speaker 3: where Aaron was born, so it's really that's special. But 298 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:26,720 Speaker 3: you know, our goal right now is to have ten 299 00:20:26,800 --> 00:20:29,160 Speaker 3: clubs open by twenty twenty six. 300 00:20:29,160 --> 00:20:31,840 Speaker 1: And you have two we have to and a Virtual 301 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:36,120 Speaker 1: and Virtual. How many people are served by virtual and 302 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: how many will be served by these two clubs? 303 00:20:39,560 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 3: About about well, you can have so Virtual is once 304 00:20:44,359 --> 00:20:48,360 Speaker 3: a week. Teens are Friday and Saturday nights. Young adults 305 00:20:48,440 --> 00:20:52,400 Speaker 3: right now are Sunday nights. Eventually we will fill out 306 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:56,600 Speaker 3: the programming through the week with other things that there 307 00:20:56,640 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 3: are so many needs now that we've realized for all 308 00:21:02,640 --> 00:21:07,920 Speaker 3: of them, adults and teens that I mean, even how 309 00:21:07,960 --> 00:21:12,919 Speaker 3: to ask somebody out on a date. How oh yeah, No, 310 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 3: We've had kids go to prom together. I mean, it's 311 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:20,960 Speaker 3: just I can't the stories I could tell, we'll tell them, 312 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:25,080 Speaker 3: they're just I mean, it's just so great. Well, Antonio, 313 00:21:25,359 --> 00:21:28,359 Speaker 3: who was funny. We had a sixteen year old girl 314 00:21:28,400 --> 00:21:31,360 Speaker 3: who would come and volunteer, and she went to high 315 00:21:31,359 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 3: school with Antonio. And the one thing that just melted 316 00:21:35,600 --> 00:21:37,879 Speaker 3: my heart is she said, when I see Antonio in 317 00:21:37,920 --> 00:21:40,400 Speaker 3: the hallway, I always stop and talk to him. He's 318 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:43,720 Speaker 3: the funniest guy I've ever met. Well, let me tell you, 319 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:46,679 Speaker 3: there aren't a lot of neurotypical kids who are going 320 00:21:46,760 --> 00:21:50,639 Speaker 3: to stop in the hallway in high school. Out of 321 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:54,720 Speaker 3: twenty five hundred kids in a public high school, and 322 00:21:54,840 --> 00:21:58,960 Speaker 3: talk to a kid on the spectrum. But the reason 323 00:21:59,040 --> 00:22:01,199 Speaker 3: she did that was because because she came and she 324 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:04,800 Speaker 3: saw and she saw how real and fun and. 325 00:22:06,560 --> 00:22:06,919 Speaker 2: Bright. 326 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:10,199 Speaker 3: I mean one of the kids that we had, he 327 00:22:10,560 --> 00:22:13,679 Speaker 3: was ranked one hundred and eighty first in chess in 328 00:22:13,720 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 3: the United States. 329 00:22:15,240 --> 00:22:16,000 Speaker 1: Wow, and my. 330 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:18,200 Speaker 2: Husband tried to play him multiple times. 331 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:36,320 Speaker 1: Didn't smoke. We'll be right back, we returned. When I 332 00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:42,200 Speaker 1: asked Stacy about how many folks come to East Clubs. 333 00:22:41,920 --> 00:22:45,480 Speaker 3: Well, I mean it depends on their programming. So if 334 00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:50,080 Speaker 3: you have sixty four, you can have thirty two kids 335 00:22:50,119 --> 00:22:54,160 Speaker 3: per night. So that's sixty sixty four on a weekend. 336 00:22:54,280 --> 00:22:57,960 Speaker 3: That's just for teens, right, that doesn't include young adults. 337 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 2: And we're open forty eight weeks out of the year. 338 00:23:02,920 --> 00:23:06,240 Speaker 2: And then don't ask me to do that math virtual. 339 00:23:06,480 --> 00:23:13,600 Speaker 3: Virtual right now, roughly about twenty per night, And don't 340 00:23:13,600 --> 00:23:17,680 Speaker 3: forget that the parents are being served. And I've when 341 00:23:17,720 --> 00:23:22,119 Speaker 3: I've met parents, they've come up to me and told 342 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:26,439 Speaker 3: me about their children being suicidal and or attempting to 343 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:28,080 Speaker 3: take their life. 344 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:30,359 Speaker 2: And now they're still here. 345 00:23:30,640 --> 00:23:33,320 Speaker 3: No, and as a result of this that it's helped 346 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,840 Speaker 3: because they've found a place that's safe they've found a 347 00:23:36,880 --> 00:23:40,680 Speaker 3: place that they can go be themselves to the quotes 348 00:23:41,080 --> 00:23:47,520 Speaker 3: that you stated, and not have to worry about being 349 00:23:47,600 --> 00:23:51,800 Speaker 3: bullied or made fun of. And everyone accepts each other. 350 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:54,359 Speaker 3: And that's that square peg in the round hole that 351 00:23:54,400 --> 00:23:59,720 Speaker 3: I was talking about we really didn't need, which breaks 352 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:05,399 Speaker 3: my heart as a mom to try and force that 353 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 3: square peg in a round hole where really all the 354 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:13,480 Speaker 3: square pegs just need to come together and have fun. 355 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:16,720 Speaker 3: And these kids end up calling each other outside of 356 00:24:16,760 --> 00:24:20,200 Speaker 3: the club. They end up meeting each other and doing things. 357 00:24:20,720 --> 00:24:23,760 Speaker 1: What kids do, Yeah, exactly, because they have a safe 358 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:24,439 Speaker 1: place to do it. 359 00:24:24,840 --> 00:24:27,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, But they meet each other in that safe place, 360 00:24:28,119 --> 00:24:32,200 Speaker 3: and then it grows from there. The friendship grows, which 361 00:24:32,240 --> 00:24:36,720 Speaker 3: is our mission and that it can be a lasting friendship. 362 00:24:37,040 --> 00:24:40,679 Speaker 3: We just had two people who met on virtual and 363 00:24:40,720 --> 00:24:43,000 Speaker 3: forgive me, I don't remember where everybody lives. 364 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:44,320 Speaker 2: Oh well, the one in. 365 00:24:44,240 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 3: Canada and another one in Pennsylvania. I think the parents 366 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:57,320 Speaker 3: got together and the one was going on vacation and 367 00:24:57,359 --> 00:24:59,560 Speaker 3: the parents brought them together so they could meet in 368 00:24:59,600 --> 00:25:01,680 Speaker 3: person and they got. 369 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:04,359 Speaker 2: To hang out. How cool is that? 370 00:25:04,359 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 1: That is very cool? 371 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:06,719 Speaker 3: So cool? 372 00:25:06,840 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 1: I can't quit thinking what Darren said that if Aaron 373 00:25:10,880 --> 00:25:13,560 Speaker 1: had one of these interactions, she'd be with you today. 374 00:25:13,680 --> 00:25:20,359 Speaker 1: And you are literally saving lives in Aaron's memory, which, 375 00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:24,000 Speaker 1: in the coolest sense is probably her legacy. 376 00:25:24,920 --> 00:25:26,240 Speaker 2: I hope, So we hope. 377 00:25:26,280 --> 00:25:29,240 Speaker 1: So that's phenomenal. 378 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:32,400 Speaker 3: We want this to be on the same level as 379 00:25:32,440 --> 00:25:36,920 Speaker 3: the Boys and Girls Club. We want that legacy because 380 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 3: of all these kids in the United States, all these 381 00:25:40,000 --> 00:25:43,800 Speaker 3: young adults, adults. I mean, there's so many needs that 382 00:25:43,840 --> 00:25:49,320 Speaker 3: we can continue to talk about beyond what we've already found, 383 00:25:50,840 --> 00:25:54,359 Speaker 3: which we're going to work on. But this can be 384 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:59,320 Speaker 3: a space that's open seven days a week for all 385 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:05,840 Speaker 3: different types of things to help all these individuals feel complete, 386 00:26:07,240 --> 00:26:12,000 Speaker 3: feel whole, whole, safe, yes, and productive. 387 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:19,000 Speaker 1: So you said earlier, by twenty twenty six you plan 388 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:28,080 Speaker 1: on having ten e clubs clubs, yeah, rightes, yes, and 389 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:30,080 Speaker 1: and you want to go you want to be as 390 00:26:30,160 --> 00:26:31,600 Speaker 1: big as the Boys and Girls Club. 391 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:32,760 Speaker 2: That's our goal. 392 00:26:33,640 --> 00:26:36,720 Speaker 1: That would be one in every city. Yes, So how 393 00:26:36,720 --> 00:26:37,320 Speaker 1: do you get there? 394 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:39,320 Speaker 3: That's a good question. 395 00:26:40,520 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 2: Who's out there that can help me? 396 00:26:42,119 --> 00:26:44,600 Speaker 3: That's what I want to know, which is that's a 397 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:45,680 Speaker 3: good question. 398 00:26:45,640 --> 00:26:51,760 Speaker 1: Which is exactly what you emailed me, which was now 399 00:26:51,800 --> 00:26:54,480 Speaker 1: I can tell everybody you ill me. Hey, this is 400 00:26:54,520 --> 00:26:57,639 Speaker 1: what it was so quick and to the point. I 401 00:26:57,720 --> 00:26:59,840 Speaker 1: love an army and normal folks. I love what you 402 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:06,840 Speaker 1: or sharing. I love the stories. My daughter had autism 403 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:09,880 Speaker 1: and took her life, and this is what we've done 404 00:27:10,000 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 1: because of that. You sent me a link and we 405 00:27:14,480 --> 00:27:17,920 Speaker 1: just want to get the world out to create more 406 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:20,960 Speaker 1: of these places for kids all over the country. It's 407 00:27:21,000 --> 00:27:22,480 Speaker 1: what you said to me in your email. I don't 408 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:25,960 Speaker 1: know if you remember, but I read it today. Yeah, 409 00:27:26,440 --> 00:27:28,600 Speaker 1: what do you need? It sounds like you need people. 410 00:27:29,040 --> 00:27:32,359 Speaker 1: It sounds like you need families that are struggling with 411 00:27:32,440 --> 00:27:34,720 Speaker 1: the same things you guys were struggling with with a 412 00:27:34,800 --> 00:27:39,600 Speaker 1: child with autism, and you need them to call you 413 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:41,720 Speaker 1: and learn how it's done and get involved. 414 00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:46,920 Speaker 3: Absolutely, it'll roughly to get to ten by ten, ten 415 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:51,320 Speaker 3: by twenty twenty six. I mean, it's probably about two 416 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:54,680 Speaker 3: and a half million dollars. It takes us roughly about 417 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:57,080 Speaker 3: one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to 418 00:27:57,160 --> 00:28:00,160 Speaker 3: run a club for a year, and that's including stiff, 419 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:06,680 Speaker 3: So it's it's daunting, but we'll do it. 420 00:28:06,680 --> 00:28:09,720 Speaker 1: It's a lot, but it's actually not a lot. I 421 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 1: mean it's a lot of money. But with all of 422 00:28:13,880 --> 00:28:16,840 Speaker 1: the riches available to people in this world looking for 423 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:20,880 Speaker 1: good quality things to do that actually do change and 424 00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:26,280 Speaker 1: save lives, I've got to believe there's people hearing this 425 00:28:26,480 --> 00:28:28,560 Speaker 1: right now that are like, oh yeah, I want to 426 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:31,680 Speaker 1: do that, or I have an autism person in my family, 427 00:28:31,880 --> 00:28:38,680 Speaker 1: or I know somebody that does. And what an amazing 428 00:28:38,880 --> 00:28:41,280 Speaker 1: mission that you And and I mean you're still right, 429 00:28:41,360 --> 00:28:43,600 Speaker 1: You're you're working, right, You've got a life. 430 00:28:43,800 --> 00:28:46,200 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, yeah, still working. 431 00:28:46,320 --> 00:28:50,000 Speaker 1: Still working in still work, doing your thing. So the 432 00:28:50,120 --> 00:28:53,360 Speaker 1: other part this is beyond the ten thousand. Exactly what 433 00:28:53,440 --> 00:28:57,520 Speaker 1: you said was think of all of the families and 434 00:28:57,560 --> 00:29:01,080 Speaker 1: all of the rachels who are being po affected by 435 00:29:01,080 --> 00:29:04,640 Speaker 1: this too. I mean, this thing just has tentacles that 436 00:29:04,680 --> 00:29:08,480 Speaker 1: are far reaching to every community that it's in. 437 00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:13,880 Speaker 3: Oh absolutely, I mean just the families, just like the 438 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:16,400 Speaker 3: dad who came up to me two weeks ago in tears. 439 00:29:17,600 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 3: You know, it's helped them because it helped their child, 440 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:24,160 Speaker 3: therefore it helped the family. I mean, it is a 441 00:29:24,240 --> 00:29:25,320 Speaker 3: trickle effect. 442 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:30,800 Speaker 1: Well, I think also maybe it can serve to be 443 00:29:30,880 --> 00:29:34,080 Speaker 1: a conduit to for their education. To people who don't 444 00:29:34,120 --> 00:29:36,560 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 00:29:44,640 --> 00:29:47,000 Speaker 1: And as parents, we have a responsibility to teach our 448 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:47,800 Speaker 1: children better. 449 00:29:48,760 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 2: Absolutely we do. 450 00:29:51,080 --> 00:29:55,000 Speaker 3: I agree, And that's why I love that we bring 451 00:29:56,320 --> 00:30:01,080 Speaker 3: the volunteer base in who gets that education in person 452 00:30:02,040 --> 00:30:04,240 Speaker 3: and get you how see these kids and how funny 453 00:30:04,240 --> 00:30:08,920 Speaker 3: and smart and I mean it's just there's there's so 454 00:30:09,160 --> 00:30:12,959 Speaker 3: Like you said, I love the octopus and the tentacles 455 00:30:13,360 --> 00:30:17,080 Speaker 3: because that's we we created the head of the octopus 456 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:20,000 Speaker 3: and the tentacles are just coming out. And the things 457 00:30:20,040 --> 00:30:23,200 Speaker 3: that we're learning and the things that we can do 458 00:30:24,120 --> 00:30:28,080 Speaker 3: through Aaron's Hope and through Ease Club, and the number 459 00:30:28,080 --> 00:30:31,720 Speaker 3: of people that we can reach not only the autistic 460 00:30:31,800 --> 00:30:37,720 Speaker 3: kids but beyond is it's unlimited because we learn something 461 00:30:37,800 --> 00:30:38,480 Speaker 3: new every day. 462 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:43,760 Speaker 1: Aaron's Hope for Friends Foundation, anybody who's listened that wants 463 00:30:43,760 --> 00:30:48,520 Speaker 1: to be involved, or who is struck by this and says, 464 00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:50,760 Speaker 1: this is something I want to do and can do. 465 00:30:52,080 --> 00:30:53,880 Speaker 1: Who do they call? How do they do it? 466 00:30:54,440 --> 00:30:55,200 Speaker 3: They can call me? 467 00:30:55,680 --> 00:30:57,760 Speaker 1: How does that work? Do they call you? Email you? 468 00:30:57,840 --> 00:30:58,400 Speaker 1: How to get me. 469 00:30:58,480 --> 00:30:59,240 Speaker 2: They can call me. 470 00:30:59,480 --> 00:31:04,040 Speaker 3: At six seven eight seven three nine nine nine nine nine. 471 00:31:04,480 --> 00:31:09,520 Speaker 3: They can email me at Stacyhorst at kW dot com. 472 00:31:09,640 --> 00:31:13,479 Speaker 3: S T A C Y h O R s T 473 00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:18,160 Speaker 3: at k W dot com. You can reach out to 474 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:22,040 Speaker 3: our website, which is Aaron's Hope for Friends dot org. 475 00:31:22,960 --> 00:31:25,880 Speaker 3: There's a contact page you can fill that out. You 476 00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:29,680 Speaker 3: can also send an email to info at Aaron's Hope 477 00:31:29,680 --> 00:31:31,360 Speaker 3: for Friends dot org. 478 00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:34,680 Speaker 1: If there's ever a calling for an army of normal 479 00:31:34,800 --> 00:31:38,880 Speaker 1: folks to get involved, this is it, because that's what's 480 00:31:38,920 --> 00:31:41,440 Speaker 1: going to fix it. The government's not going to fix 481 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:43,360 Speaker 1: it talking about it. It's not going to fix it. 482 00:31:43,920 --> 00:31:46,280 Speaker 1: Nothing's going to fix it. But just somebody like you 483 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:56,560 Speaker 1: and Darren who said our children deserve better, and your 484 00:31:56,720 --> 00:32:04,040 Speaker 1: rock and I am just beyond and amazed by how 485 00:32:04,120 --> 00:32:07,640 Speaker 1: you've taken the most traumatic thing that could have ever 486 00:32:07,720 --> 00:32:10,360 Speaker 1: happened to you in your life and turned it into 487 00:32:10,400 --> 00:32:14,160 Speaker 1: a positive and honor of your daughter so that her 488 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:17,080 Speaker 1: legacy lives on in a purposeful way. 489 00:32:17,920 --> 00:32:18,200 Speaker 3: It is. 490 00:32:19,840 --> 00:32:29,560 Speaker 1: A phenomenal story of sadness and depth and redemption and hope. 491 00:32:30,960 --> 00:32:37,240 Speaker 1: And you know nobody, nobody tabbed you and said go 492 00:32:37,280 --> 00:32:39,960 Speaker 1: do this. Nobody gave you a foundation, and so go 493 00:32:40,160 --> 00:32:42,920 Speaker 1: do it. You're just a normal mom and a normal 494 00:32:42,960 --> 00:32:49,040 Speaker 1: life raising two kids. The best you know how, who 495 00:32:48,240 --> 00:32:53,640 Speaker 1: who very personally felt and saw a need as a 496 00:32:53,720 --> 00:32:56,600 Speaker 1: result of some great sadness and decided to fill it. 497 00:32:56,840 --> 00:33:01,120 Speaker 1: And you're saving and changing lives and helping families as 498 00:33:01,160 --> 00:33:05,760 Speaker 1: a result of it. And I am beyond honored to 499 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:07,400 Speaker 1: have talked to you about it, And thank you so 500 00:33:07,560 --> 00:33:11,000 Speaker 1: much for sharing in depth the very personal side of 501 00:33:11,000 --> 00:33:14,600 Speaker 1: the of your story so that people can really understand 502 00:33:15,720 --> 00:33:20,560 Speaker 1: the importance of what you're doing. I am It's the 503 00:33:20,600 --> 00:33:23,360 Speaker 1: first one I've teared up in and I've heard some stories, 504 00:33:24,880 --> 00:33:26,920 Speaker 1: and thank you for being the very first of our 505 00:33:27,040 --> 00:33:32,040 Speaker 1: organic guests. So you are you, You are, you are, 506 00:33:32,160 --> 00:33:34,280 Speaker 1: You will be deep in the history of an army 507 00:33:34,320 --> 00:33:38,800 Speaker 1: of normal folks forever. Thank you so much for coming 508 00:33:38,800 --> 00:33:40,719 Speaker 1: to Memphis and sharing your story with us and all 509 00:33:40,760 --> 00:33:41,920 Speaker 1: the amazing work you're doing. 510 00:33:41,960 --> 00:33:44,520 Speaker 3: Stacey, Well, thank you so much for having me and 511 00:33:44,600 --> 00:33:48,240 Speaker 3: what you're doing with the podcast, because it's amazing. 512 00:33:48,600 --> 00:33:55,800 Speaker 1: Thanks very much, and thank you for joining us this week. 513 00:33:55,880 --> 00:33:59,200 Speaker 1: If Stacy or another guest has inspired you in general 514 00:33:59,600 --> 00:34:01,880 Speaker 1: or better, you have to take action by starting an 515 00:34:01,920 --> 00:34:05,880 Speaker 1: ease club, or by donating to Aaron's Hope for Friends, 516 00:34:07,040 --> 00:34:10,120 Speaker 1: or something else entirely. Please let me know I'd love 517 00:34:10,200 --> 00:34:13,160 Speaker 1: to hear about it. You can write me anytime at 518 00:34:13,239 --> 00:34:17,520 Speaker 1: Bill at Normalfolks dot us and I will respond. You 519 00:34:17,560 --> 00:34:21,640 Speaker 1: know a special note after this episode. If you heard 520 00:34:21,680 --> 00:34:24,280 Speaker 1: what you've just heard and aren't inspired to talk about 521 00:34:24,320 --> 00:34:28,160 Speaker 1: any kids in your family, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and certainly 522 00:34:28,160 --> 00:34:34,200 Speaker 1: your kids, this story should certainly awaken us to the 523 00:34:36,719 --> 00:34:42,560 Speaker 1: desperation felt by some due to bullying and exclusion. We 524 00:34:42,640 --> 00:34:46,600 Speaker 1: have responsibility, y'all. We have responsibility raise our kids with 525 00:34:46,640 --> 00:34:50,319 Speaker 1: an empathetic heart and an understanding about the dangers of 526 00:34:50,400 --> 00:34:56,480 Speaker 1: bullying and the importance of inclusion. I hope you'll think 527 00:34:56,520 --> 00:35:00,640 Speaker 1: about Aaron next time you see your own children, pray 528 00:35:00,680 --> 00:35:03,240 Speaker 1: that they never have to go through what she went through, 529 00:35:03,280 --> 00:35:10,680 Speaker 1: and also take action to teach and foster a level 530 00:35:10,680 --> 00:35:13,360 Speaker 1: of empathy and understanding and love in our kids' hearts. 531 00:35:14,040 --> 00:35:16,640 Speaker 1: And I hope this story motivates you to, at the 532 00:35:16,719 --> 00:35:20,319 Speaker 1: very least do that. If you enjoyed this episode, share 533 00:35:20,360 --> 00:35:23,080 Speaker 1: it with friends and on social subscribe to the podcast, 534 00:35:23,239 --> 00:35:26,719 Speaker 1: rate it, review it, become a premium number at normal 535 00:35:26,800 --> 00:35:29,160 Speaker 1: Folks dot us. All these things that will help us 536 00:35:29,200 --> 00:35:33,760 Speaker 1: grow an army of normal folks for our premium members 537 00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:37,880 Speaker 1: will have bonus content from this episode and it's actually 538 00:35:38,200 --> 00:35:41,640 Speaker 1: the hilarious story about how Stacy and her husband Darren met, 539 00:35:42,160 --> 00:35:44,000 Speaker 1: and if you don't want to miss it, become a 540 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:47,920 Speaker 1: premium member today. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsor 541 00:35:47,960 --> 00:35:51,279 Speaker 1: at Iron Light Lapse. I'm Bill Courtney. I'll see you 542 00:35:51,320 --> 00:35:51,840 Speaker 1: next week.