An Army of Normal Folks - Stacy Horst: My Daughter’s Hope for Friends (Pt 2)

Episode Date: October 3, 2023

Stacy’s daughter Erin was bullied and excluded by her peers because she had autism, which led to taking her own life at 17 years old. Only four days later, Stacy and her husband Darren heroically decided that they would do everything in their power to prevent any other family from going through this. Their non-profit, Erin’s Hope for Friends, opened a physical location called “e’s Club” where more than 400 teens and young adults with autism go on the weekends and build friendships. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/premiumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey everybody, it's Bill Courtney with an Army of Normal Folks and we continue with part two of our conversation with Stacey Horst, right after these brief messages from our generous sponsors. What is this place? Wait, why my handcuffed? What am I doing here? 13 days of Halloween, Penance. Season 4 of the award-winning horror fiction podcast presented in immersive 3D audio.

Where am I? Why, this is the Pendleton. All residents, please return to your habitations. Light stuff on your feet! You're new here, so I'll say it once. No talking. Starring Natalie Morales of Parks and Recreation and Dead to me. Am I under arrest? We don't like to use that word. Can I leave of my own free will? Not at this time. So this is a prison then? No, it's a rehabilitation center.

Premiering October 19th, ending Halloween. I'm gonna get out. And how may I ask, or are you going to do that? Escape. Listen to 13 days of Halloween on the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Our first call is Mary in Lexington, Kentucky. Mary, welcome to the middle. Hello, and thanks for having me. If you really want to know what's going on in this country heading into the 2024 election,

you have to get away from the extremes and listen to the middle. Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you for Atlanta Georgia. On the new podcast, The Middle with Jeremy Hobson, I'm live every week, taking your calls and focusing on Americans in the middle middle who are so important politically but are often ignored by the media. I did a lifetime democratic voter however I was raised by moderate Republicans from Michigan. Creating space for a civil conversation about the most contentious issues we face

from climate change to artificial intelligence from abortion rights to gun rights. I consider myself to be conservative, cis-clade, but politically independent. Listen to the middle of Jeremy Hobson on the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Oseh County, Oklahoma, is getting a lot of attention right now. Osage County, Oklahoma is getting a lot of attention right now. It's the setting of Martin Scorsese's latest film, Killers of the Flower Moon. The movie is based on a book about the 1920s Osage murders, when white men poured into Osage County and killed Osage people for their oil wealth.

I am Rachel Adams-Herd, the host of Intrust, a podcast from Bloomberg and I Heart Media. For over a year, I was reporting a different story, about other ways white people got Osage land and wealth, and how a prominent ranching family in Osage County became one of the biggest landowners here. Their ranching empire was built on land that at the turn of the century was all owned by the Osage Nation. So how'd they get it? Listen to the award-winning podcast Intrust on the I Heart Radio app Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts. Let's talk about those kids. 61% of kids with level one autism fall subject to bullying and social isolation. 61% three out of five kids that are already struggling with having autism

are bullied and subject social oscillation with depression rates and suicidal thoughts 50% higher in children with level one autism than the general population meaning that autism than the general population, meaning that There's a large number of kids with autism trying to mainstream and get through life handling their difficulties and their families along with them and There's a bunch of those kids that are having suicidal thoughts because they're so sad and so isolated as result of the people around them bullying them

one out of 10 has a has suicidal tendencies. One out of 10. And you know, in Tennessee, Florida right now, there's diagnosed roughly 435,000 autistic adults and that can be an 18 year old. So if your 440 has 145,000. Okay, so if you're in in Florida, you said 435. Yep. 10%.

That means there's 43,000 suicidal autistic people instead of Florida right now. That's what the math says. Oh, yeah. Well, that's, I mean, they have suicidal thoughts. And I think in level one, when we go back to what you were talking about before, in terms of level one, two and three, and I am not a psychologist or a psychiatrist. I don't play one on TV. I, you know, level one, they're more aware of what's going on around them, I believe.

And they're more aware of the isolation, which makes them probably more susceptible to suicidal tendencies because much like my brother-in-law, Ben, they're high enough functioning, they see it. So, honestly, if you're sitting here listening to us, should I even get to the, there is redemption coming everybody. It's not, let's all ball listening to this day. But if you didn't tear up here in the story so far, something's wrong with you. This should be a call. This should be a call to parents. If you have kids and you're blessed with happy, healthy, completely functional, normal kids without a whole bunch of stuff for goodness sakes. Talk to them, explain to them that sometimes there are people around

you that aren't just like you, but they are most deserving of our grace and our understanding. Talk to your kids because we could fix a lot of this if just parents would have kids have a more understanding graceful heart about people around them that may look or act a little differently. Amen. So, that's one. Number two is, Aaron's story is the one we are learning about, no to day, but the data shows that Aaron's story is not at all, a one off.

And unfortunately, Aaron's story also puts a light on the fact that there are a lot of people who are probably quietly and maybe very, maybe even unknown having suicidal thoughts as a result of their isolation, their bullying, and the way people around them treat them. Absolutely. They're not creating, they're not thinking of committing suicide because of the autism. They're thinking, creating suicide because of how people treat them because they have something that they

didn't ask for and that they're trying to deal with in their life, which if you think about the depth of that is heartbreaking. It's very heartbreaking and a lot of them choose to be isolated because that's the only way they can be, which I think is wrong too, because so many of them, they're, they're purses some of the friends that Erin did have every year on the anniversary of her death, they reach out. And which, you know, I think is beautiful, and they are all on the spectrum.

And even this year in January, one of them, she said, I just choose to be by myself. Because at least when she's by herself, she didn't get rid of guilt. Yes, and she knows what to expect, right? We all, we're all creatures of habit in our lives and want normalcy and schedule. And it's kind of like knowing when you come into work, most of the time you know what's going to happen today. You know, there's going to be something different here in there, but not on a major scale. So we all have, you know, the ability to go through life, and it's just going to be kind of going along, except for the bumps in the road,

where I think they sometimes isolate themselves because they don't wanna have to deal with more bumps than we have. Because if you put yourself out there, and you get shot down, you put yourself out there, and nobody pays attention to you, you put yourself out there and nobody pays attention to you, you put yourself out there and nobody talks to you, then why do it? Well, I didn't imagine.

And there's a great, there's a great lesson when we get to the other part, the redemption part. We're getting there. There are great lessons in all of that. So back to that fourth day, you are an Ion erupted you because I just had this visceral reaction to I honestly do not know how you got through that. But on that day, you started to be a rock. Tell me what that being a rock looks like and what you decided and what that was. Well, I can tell you one thing that without our faith, this wouldn't have happened. There's no way. Couples who lose a child, one in four, get divorced,

and very quickly, because of the trauma in everything else. We just, we sat down on the floor again and realized that there has to be something that we can do to bring these kids out of isolation, to be able to have a place that they can go on the weekends when they're being isolated from the rest of the world to have fun, to just go be who they are. Whether, you know, that's sitting there for three months, which we had one gentleman do. You know, and so it kind of, it started from there and we thought about somewhere fun, like Dave and Buster's,

where you can go and just play games just be um no therapy absolutely none somewhere where there are no parents because oh really oh yeah because because as parents and and those people who are listening and you parent of an autistic child you, or a child with special needs, whereas they're growing up, you continue to try and help them, and part of that helping is correction. And we didn't want this to have anything to do with that. It's just a place where they can come hang out, no parents, nobody correcting them.

And be quote normal. Yeah, absolutely. Normal kids. Yeah. And one of the lessons that we learned in that is, you know, as a parent, you take your kids to all these things, P-T, social skills groups, you name it, whatever. In the last eight years, nine years, we've learned that, and this is my analogy,

so nobody throw rocks at me. But anyway, I call our members our square pegs. And you know, it's like you take your kids to all this type of therapy, trying to take a square peg and fit it in a round hole to make them normal so that they can be out in the world with what we call normal or neurotypical individuals. When really, all they've ever needed this whole time is to be with each other. They don't care about their quirks, they don't care. They sit, we have 32 kids with one staff member,

well, two staff members now and eight volunteers and they can flip around the room, they can do whatever they want and nobody cares. And they have a ball. And if they don't look somebody in the eyes, well, hell, everybody there understands why. Yeah. It's okay. It's okay.

I get you. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So we decided to create a 501c3. We didn't know what that would look like. And we came up with the type of Aaron's hope for friends because she always hoped for a good friend. And as my husband has said, if Aaron had had one good friend, she'd probably still be here. And so you called it Aaron's Hope for Friends Foundation. So that her memory at least

and her legacy would be that people like her would have that one friend. Or more. Or more more and date. So, and go to prom. We'll be right back. What is this place? Wait, why my handcuffed? What am I doing here?

13 days of Halloween, Penance. Season 4 of the award-winning horror fiction podcast presented in immersive 3D audio. Where am I? Why, this is the Pendleton. All residents, please return to your habitation. Light stuff on your feet! You're new here, so I'll say it once. No talking.

Starring Natalie Morales of Parks and Recreation and Dead to Me. Am I under arrest? We don't like to use that word. Can I leave of my own free will? Not at this time. So this is a prison then? No.

It's a rehabilitation center. Premiering October 19th, ending Halloween. I'm going to get out. And how may I ask, or are you going to do that? You scape. Listen to 13 days of Halloween on the I Heart Radio app, I'm gonna get out. And how may I ask, or are you going to do that? Escape. Listen to 13 days of Halloween on the I Heart radio app, Apple podcasts, over ever you get your podcasts. Our first call is Mary in Lexington, Kentucky.

Mary, welcome to the middle. Hello, and thanks for having me. If you really want to know what's going on in this country, heading into the 2024 election, you have to get away from the extremes and listen to the middle. Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you for Atlanta Georgia.

On the new podcast, The Middle with Jeremy Hobson, I'm live every week, taking your calls and focusing on Americans in the middle, who are so important politically, but are often ignored by the media. I did a lifetime democratic voter, however I was raised by moderate Republicans from Michigan. Creating space for a civil conversation about the most contentious issues we face

from climate change to artificial intelligence from abortion rights to gun rights. I consider myself to be conservative, physically, but politically independent. Listen to the Middle of Jeremy Hobson on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Mo'Raca, and I'm excited to announce season 4 of my podcast, MoBituary's. I've got a whole new bunch of stories to share with you about the most fascinating people and things who are no longer with us. From famous figures who died on the very same day to the things I wish would die like buffets.

People actually take little tastes along the way with their fingers. Oh, they do. Oh, no, I'm so sorry. Do you need a minute? This is the only interview where I've needed a spit bucket. I'm so sorry. We'll tell you about the singer who helped define cool and the sports world's very first superstar. To call Jim Thorpe the greatest athlete in American history is not a stretch because no athlete before his sinc is done, what he did.

Listen to Mobituaries with Moroca on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The mission is to create lasting relationships through joyful interaction. So it's to allow these teens and now young adults, we are now moving into adults. We're also potentially looking at some point maybe doing younger kids, but we just wanted that place where they could come together and they could feel safe and they could hang out with each other. So we created EES club, E apostrophe S club. That's what the names of the clubs are.

And it is like a mini-day of investors. You walk in, it has ping pong, air hockey, pool table, ski ball, video gaming, and art section. Is this a place of, so you gave us money? Oh yeah, most definitely. Oh yeah. So you went out and so you actually built E's club is actually not a group of people. It is a physical place.

So tell me about yeah. So the first year we we started the 501c3. We had our first fundraiser. She passed away in January. We had our first fundraiser, June 28th, because that was her birthday. Wow. And so we said it was her birthday party. And we, gosh, I'm trying to remember how much money we raised. I mean, at that point in time, which was 2015, it roughly cost us about 70 to $80,000 to open the physical space. So it is an actual physical open space with

everything that I just talked about and more. And then we just continued every year with, as we do now, with a fun, you know, a big fundraiser, a gala, which we just had. And we do other fundraisers throughout the year and grants and everything else. To our goal was to be in every state in the United States by 2025, but unfortunately, COVID slowed that down. Oh, well, it's loaded down it like squashed it a little bit. So, but this exists in Georgia. Yes, it exists. So the first club was in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Then we opened the second club in Acquarth, Georgia. So we had two clubs and we had four other states that we were in contact with that they were interested individuals who wanted to open E's club in those other four states. And then COVID came and we couldn't meet in person any longer. So we ended up, we do not own these properties, we lease them. The build out and everything that's in it, well, the first one was very grassroots, as you can imagine. But we try to get everything donated, even the buildouts, as much as we can, so we can use the monies that we raise for programming.

And we ended up having to close both of those because we couldn't meet in person. But before COVID, you went from 26 kids to two years later, 370 kids. Up to this point people you've helped. A dad about his son. He doesn't feel pressure. He's not afraid to say something that someone is going to make fun of him for. Another dad. My daughter always said, I just wish other kids were like me.

Now she has that. She's surrounded by their kids like her. It means the world to her. She wouldn't miss it for anything in the world. A kid, a teen, I feel a little bit more open here than I am at school. It's easier to interact with people who are similar to me than to force being normal around others.

I'm just glad I can hang out with other people on the spectrum, understand me better than all the kids at my school do it. Yep. That's it, right? That's it, on a nutshell. On a nutshell, yeah, no, it's in, at our gala, we had a young adult, she got up and spoke about her

experience in the young adult program. And it's not just when I talked before about those a-haws and those lessons that we've learned. This isn't just about E's club because when we had to shut those doors within a month, we went virtual. We still have virtual today. And we have teens and young adults from around the country and Canada, who are part of the virtual program now, which we're not going to get away. That's not going to go away now that we're back in person. But at the event, this young lady talked and her dad came up to me afterwards with just tears rolling down his face. And he came up to me and hugged me. He says, you don't know how much you've helped me and you've helped my family.

And that makes it. That's it. That's everything. And it's not just a 1500. it's a respite for the parents. The parents can drop their kids off and have three hours to themselves. To go to dinner, to go to a movie, to just sit, to spend time with the other kids, who, like my family, I had a neurotypical daughter, and I had Aaron

who was on the spectrum. What it would have been like for Aaron to be able to go and hang out and make friends with other kids and we could spend time with Rachel by yourself. The other lesson is that we use National charity league and young men service league for our volunteer base, not solely, but they are the largest majority. And the moms, it's moms and daughters and moms and sons. And when they walk in the door, you think about, you were asking about, you know, level one to level three. And they

hear, oh, I'm going to a club to work with autistic teens and young adults. Well, most people, the first place they go is three. So, you know, they're thinking, well, are they going to be non-verbal? Like, how do I talk to them? You know, are they going to get upset? What are they going to do? And they come in like deer in the headlights. They have to be there 30 minutes prior and we just kind of tell them, you know, we just want you to engage everybody. If you see somebody sitting by themselves, ask them if they want to play pool or, you know, whatever.

By the time they leave, they come up to us and they're like, oh my gosh, this is the most fun. I've ever had. Do you know Antonio? He is hysterical. You know, I mean, they just, they have a blast. And it's, so it's become an educational experience for those folks who come in as volunteers, because now they see our kids in a different way. You mean some normal folks that were just like you before you had an autistic kid? Yes, but they walk away with an appreciation of who these kids are. So you got the virtual and you've reopened. Where is this thing now? Where are we now? Right now we opened our club in Woodstock, Georgia.

So we have an East Club in Woodstock, Georgia. In November 11th, we'll be opening our first charter in Lexington, Kentucky. That's where Aaron was born. So it's really, that's special. But our goal right now is to have 10 clubs open by 2026. And you have two. We have two. And a virtual. And virtual. How many people are served by virtual and how many will be served by these two clubs? About. About. Well, you can about about well you could have so virtual is once a week teens are Friday and

Saturday nights young adults right now are Sunday nights eventually we will fill out the programming through the week with other things the week there are so many needs now that we've realized for all of them, adults and teens, that, I mean, even how to ask somebody on a date. How to- I love that. Oh, yeah. No, we've had kids go to prom together.

I mean, it's just, I can't, the stories I could tell. We'll tell them. They're just, I mean, it's just so great. What? Antonio, who was funny, we had a 16 year old girl who would come and volunteer. And she went to high school with Antonio. And the one thing that just melted my heart

is she said, when I see Antonio in the hallway, I always stop and talk to him. He's the funniest guy I've ever met. Well, let me tell you, there aren't a lot of neuro-typical kids who are gonna stop in the hallway in high school at a 2,500 kids in a public high school and talk to a kid on the spectrum. But the reason she did that was because she came and she saw and she saw how real and fun and Bright, I mean one of the kids that we had he was ranked 181st in chess in the United States

Wow, and my husband tried to play him multiple times We'll be right back. What is this place? Wait, why my handcuffed? What am I doing here? 13 days of Halloween, Penance. Season 4 of the award-winning horror fiction podcast presented in immersive 3D audio. Where am I? Why, this is the Pendleton.

All residents, please return to your habitations. Light stuff on your feet! You're new here, so I'll say it once. No talking. Starring Natalie Morales of Parks and Recreation and Dead to Me. Am I under arrest? We know't like to use that word. Can I leave of my own free will? Not at this time.

So this is a prison then? No. It's a rehabilitation center. Premiering October 19th, ending Halloween. I'm going to get out. And how may I ask, or are you going to do that? Escape. Listen to 13 days of Halloween on the I Heart radio app, Apple podcasts,

or wherever you get your podcasts. Our first call is Mary in Lexington, Kentucky. Mary, welcome to the middle. Hello, and thanks for having me. If you really want to know what's going on in this country heading into the 2024 election, you have to get away from the extremes and listen to the middle. Hi, my name is Venkat. I'm calling you for Atlanta Georgia. On the new podcast, The Middle with Jeremy Hobson, I'm live every week taking your calls and focusing on Americans in the middle who are so important politically but are often ignored by the media. I did a lifetime democratic voter, however I was raised by moderate Republicans from Michigan. Creating space for a civil conversation about the most contentious issues we face

from climate change to artificial intelligence from abortion rights to gun rights. I consider myself to be conservative physically but politically independent. Listen to the Middle of Jeremy Hobson on the I Heart radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hi, I'm Marissa Fallberg. And I'm Steven Wolfed Ada. We want to invite you to join us for a new podcast for Ann Nue. So what's actually new about brand new? Well, Steven and I are not only working C-suite executives, we're friends.

My friend, Marissa, is actually one of the most influential chief marketing officers in the world. And hey, Steven has a story career across finance, tech, and multicultural entertainment. Because of that, we've got a lot to say about the world of tech, entertainment, advertising, media, and marketing, what we actually call team.

We always adore each other, but don't always agree with each other, and that's part of the fun. It's real talk from the inside, sometimes personal talk too, and it's meant for everyone rising in business or just interested in it. In each episode we give our hot takes on hot topics and always answer what's on your minds too. Just look for the brand new podcast on the iHeart podcast network, or wherever you listen. It's a brand new conversation that you won't want to miss. We return when I ask Stacy about how many folks come to EZClubs. Well, I mean, it depends on their programming.

So if you have 64, you can have 32 kids per night. So that's 64 on a weekend. That's just for teens. Right. That doesn't include young adults. And we're open 48 weeks out of the year. And then don't ask me to do that math again. I won't, but virtual. Virtual right now, roughly about 20 per night.

And don't forget that the parents are being served. And when I've met parents, they've come up to me and told me about their children being suicidal and or attempting to take their life. And now, as you're still here, no, and as a result of this, that it's helped, because they've found a place that's safe. They've found a place that they can go, be themselves to the quotes that you stated and not have to worry about being bullied or made fun of and everyone accepts each other. And that's that square peg in the round hole that I was talking about.

We really didn't need, which breaks my heart as a mom, to try and force that square peg in a round hole. Really, all the square pegs just need to come together and have fun. And these kids end up calling each other outside of the club. They end up meeting each other and doing things. Oh, you mean doing what kids do? Yeah, exactly. Because they have a safe place to do it. meeting each other and doing things. Oh, you mean doing what kids do? Yeah, exactly. Because they have a safe place to do it.

Yeah, but they meet each other in that safe place and then it grows from there. The friendship grows, which is our mission and that it can be a lasting friendship. We just had two people who met on virtual and forgive me, I don't remember where everybody lives. Oh, well, the one in Canada and another one in Pennsylvania, I think. The parents got together and the one was going on vacation and the parents

brought them together so they could meet in person. And they got to hang out. How cool is that? That is very cool. It's just so cool. I can't quit thinking what Darren said, that if Aaron had one of these interactions, she'd be with you today, and you are literally saving lives in Aaron's memory,

which in the coolest sense is probably her legacy. I hope so. We hope so. That's phenomenal. We want this to be on the same level as the Boys and Girls Club. We want that legacy because of all these kids in the United States, all these young adults, adults. I mean, there's so many needs that we can continue to, you know, talk about beyond what we've already found, which we're going to work on.

But this can be a space that's open seven days a week for all different types of things to help all these individuals feel complete, feel whole, safe. Yes. And productive. So you said earlier, you bought 2026, you plan on having Tim e-clubs. E-cl yeah, right? Yes, yes, and And you want to go you want to be as big as the boys and girls club. That's our goal

That would be one in every city. Yes, so how do you get there? That's a good question Who's out there that can help me that's what I want to know which is a good question Which is exactly what you emailed me? Which was now I can tell everybody you will me. Hey, this is what it was so quick into the point I love an army of normal folks. I love what you're sharing. I love the stories an army of normal folks. I love what you're sharing. I love the stories. My daughter had autism and took her life. And this is what we've done because of that. You sent me a link. And we just want to get the word out to create more of these places for kids all of the country. That's what you said

to me. You're human. I don't know if you remember, but I read it today. Yeah. What do you need? It sounds like you need people. It sounds like you need families that are struggling with the same things you guys are struggling with with a child with autism. And you need them to call you and learn how it's done and get involved. Absolutely. It'll roughly to get to 10 by 10, 10 by 2026. I mean, it's probably about $2.5 million. It takes us roughly about $100 to $150,000 to run a club for a year. And that's including staff.

So it's daunting, but we'll do it. You know, it's a lot, but it's actually not a lot. I mean, it's a lot of money. But with all of the riches available to people in this world, looking for good quality things to do that actually do change and save lives. I've got to believe there's people hearing this right now that are like, oh yeah, I want to do that. Or I have an autism person in my family, or I know somebody that does. And what an amazing mission that you and I mean, you're still working, right? You got a life. Oh, yeah. Yeah, still working.

Still working and doing your thing. So the other part this is beyond the 10,000, exactly what you said was think of all of the families and all of the Rachel's who are being positively affected by this too. I mean, this thing just has tentacles that are far reaching to every community that it's in. Oh, absolutely. I mean, just the families, just like the dad

who came up to me two weeks ago in tears, you know, it's helped them because it helped their child. Therefore it helped the family. I mean, it is a trickle effect. Well, I think also maybe it can serve to be a conduit to further education to people who don't deal with autism and their family and their jobs to just understand that this is a very real thing and it's not trivial and it shouldn't be made fun of. And as parents, we have a responsibility

to teach our children better. Absolutely, we do. I agree. And that's why I love that we bring the volunteer base in who gets that education in person. And get to see these kids and how funny and smart and I mean, it's just there's there's so like you said, I love the octopus and the tentacles because that's we we created the head of the octopus and the

tentacles are just coming out and the things that we're learning and the things that we can do through Aaron's hope and through Ease out and the things that we're learning and the things that we can do through Aaron's Hope and through Ease Club and the number of people that we can reach not only the autistic kids but beyond is it's unlimited because we learn something new every day. Aaron's Hope for Friends Foundation. Anybody who's listening to what's to be involved or who is struck by this and says this is something I want to do and can do. Who do they call? How do they do it? They can call me. How does that work? Do they call you email you? How do they give me? They can call me at 678-739-999. They can email me at stchorst at kw.com.

S-T-A-C-Y-H-O-R-S-T at kw.com. You can reach out to our website, which is Aaron's Hope for Friends.org. There's a contact page you can fill that out. You can also send an email to info at erenshopeforfriends.org. If there's ever a calling for an army of normal folks to get involved, this is it because that's what's going to fix it. The government's not going to fix it, talking about it's not going to fix it. Nothing's going to fix it. The government is not going to fix it. Talking about it's not going to fix it. Nothing's going to fix it. But just somebody like you and Darren who said our children deserve better and

you're a rock and I have just beyond amazed by how you've taken the most traumatic thing that could have ever happened to you in your life and turned it into a positive and honor of your daughter so that her legacy lives on in a purposeful way. It is a phenomenal story of sadness and depth and redemption and hope. And, you know, nobody, nobody tabbed you and said, go do this. Nobody gave you a foundation and so go do it. You're just a normal mom and a normal life, raising two kids, the best, you know how, who very, who very personally felt and saw a need as a result of some great sadness

and decided to fill it. And you're saving and changing lives and helping families as a result of it. And I am beyond honored to have talked to you about it. And thank you so much for sharing in depth the very personal side of your story so that people can really understand the importance of what you're doing.

I, so first one I've dared up in and I've heard some stories. Um, and thank you for being the very first of our organic guests. So you are, um, you, you are, you are, you will be deep in the history of an army of normal folks forever. Um, thank you so much for coming to Memphis and sharing your story with us and all the amazing work you're doing Stacey. Well, thank you so much for having me and what you're doing with the podcast because it's amazing.

Thanks very much. And thank you for joining us this week. If Stacey or another Gus has inspired you in general, or better yet to take action by starting an E's club or by donating to Aaron's Hope for Friends. Or something else entirely, please let me know, I'd love to hear about it. You can write me anytime at billatnormalfokes.us and I will respond. You know, a special note after this episode, if you heard what you've just heard and aren't inspired

to talk about any kids in your family, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and certainly your kids, this story should certainly awaken us to the desperation felt by some due to bullying and exclusion. We have responsibility, y'all. We have responsibility to raise our kids with an empathetic heart and an understanding about the dangers of bullying and the importance of inclusion. I hope you'll think about Aaron next time you see your own children and pray that they never have to go through what she went through and also take action to teach and foster a level of empathy and understanding and love in our kids' hearts.

And I hope this story motivates you to, at the very least, do that. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with friends and on social. Subscribe to the podcast, rate it, review it, become a premium number at NormalFox.os, all these things that will help us grow, an army of normal folks. For our premium members, we'll have bonus content from this episode. And it's actually the hilarious story about how Stacy and her husband dare and met. And if you don't want to miss it,

become a premium member today. Lastly, I want to thank our sponsor at Our Light Labs. I'm Bill Courtney. I'll see you next week. 13 Days of Halloween Penance Season 4 of the award-winning horror fiction podcast presented in immersive 3D audio. If I am under arrest, you have to tell me what I'm charged with. Starring Natalie Morales of Parks and Recreation and Dead To Me. Please, you've been some kind of mistake.

I'm not supposed to be here. How do you know? I'm innocent. Are any of us truly innocent? Primering October 19th, ending Halloween. Listen to 13 days of Halloween on the I Heart Radio app, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. If you really want to know what's going on in this country,

heading into the 2024 election, you have to get away from the extremes and listen to the middle. On the podcast The Middle with Jeremy Hobson, I'll take calls live every week, elevating the voices of Americans who are so important when it comes to who's in power and what gets done. My name is Venkat, I'm calling you for Atlanta Georgia. Listen to The Middle with Jeremy Hobson on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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