According to the CDC, in 2014, 1 in
68 children are diagnosed with autism. My brother is one of those individuals
with autism.
Autism has had and will likely continue to have a huge impact on my life.
And like many who are diagnosed with autism, my brother has other
developmental issues he also deals with on a daily basis. My brother is not only autistic, he has been
diagnosed with bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and
obsessive-compulsive disorder.
This experience of living with a sibling
with autism and other disorders has shaped me into the young man that I am
today from not only what I have been able to learn from my love for my brother
but also because of living in a
wonderful family impacted by autism.
Despite his unique challenges, my brother has
always been a blessing to my family and me and has helped me recognize that as
his brother, I have a responsibility to not only be there for him but also help
others who have a sibling with autism.
To help others be the best brother
or sister for their sibling with autism, I have teamed up with the Autism
Society of America, the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots organization
helping individuals with autism maximize their quality of life each and every
day.
As a professional race car driver
and future team owner, my mission is to use the strength of the global
motorsports industry to drive awareness and raise funds for the Autism Society
of America and its 104 local and state affiliates to provide programs that will
assist those impacted by autism including siblings. These sibling programs will
include respite funds, scholarship programs, and outreach programs.
RESPITE: Respite serves as a deep breath for family
members impacted by autism by providing regularly scheduled relief for the
family—it supports their mental, physical, and emotional well-being so
they can always be there for their family members with autism. Many families
across the nation are currently not receiving these services. Funds raised will
help provide respite for families who cannot afford it on their own.
SCHOLARSHIPS: Many people who are not impacted
by autism fail to realize how expensive it is for a family to raise a child on
the autism spectrum. This directly affects the other children in the household
as often times the family’s limited income must be used to support the needed
services and support for the family member with autism sometimes at the expense
needs of others in the family, such as college educations. Funds raised will help
create scholarships for educational and other needed opportunities for those
that have a sibling on the spectrum.
OUTREACH PROGRAMS: Funds raised will help to develop programs to
connect and support siblings of individuals on the spectrum via shared
experiences, peer group support, and professional counseling. A long-term goal, in partnership with the
Autism Society of America, is to create a sibling board that will advocate at
the federal level on policies that impact those on the autism spectrum,
including siblings.
To help the
over 3,000,000 individuals estimated to be living with autism and the close to
additional 10,000,000 family members impacted by autism, twenty percent of the
proceeds from this video will directly benefit the Autism Society of America and
support the programs outlined above through the Autism Society’s Jason Cherry
Racing Fund. The remainder of the monies raised will be used to host and
provide hospitality to individuals and families impacted by autism across the
nation at various professional auto racing venues; to raise awareness and
increase visibility of the cause through the form of a custom wrapped autism
racecar that will be seen by both in-person visitors as well as a global
television audience; and to support the operations and expenses of racing in a
professional series as Jason Cherry will be expanding into a global motorsports
development team.
In addition
to helping by supporting this campaign through donations, I would also ask that you help us raise
money by encouraging other friends you have and or other possible supporters
of this important initiative.
On behalf
of all those who will be helped by this important effort, both the Autism
Society of America and I thank you for your consideration of being part of the
Jason Cherry Racing Team efforts. For
more information on the important and successful work being done by the Autism
Society of America, please go to www.autism-society.org.
Thank you for the support.
By HIS Grace,
Jason Cherry
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" -Philippians 4:13