2nd Annual Luxury/Exotic Car cruise
Date; July 14th 2012
Time; 9am sharp
Location; Distinctive collection
Route; Banff Springs Hotel (brunch)...reservations instructions to follow
Cost; 75.00 Min donation per car (no tax reciepts as all funds are going to a Family with sick kids..see below)
The Cause
Mike and Karen Kelm are the proud parents of 3 young children. All three of Mike and Karen's children have been diagnosed with a condition known medically as 'Fragile X Syndrome'. Fragile X Syndrome is the most common form of genetically inherited mental impairment. Symptoms can range from mild learning challenges to extremely severe intellectual, sensory and behavioral disabilities. Fragile X is a spectrum disorder where people affected fall into different places on that spectrum. Their children are as follows:
• Noah (9 years old), their oldest is significantly challenged with cognitive and developmental delays in addition to having sensory processing issues that cause difficult behavioral challenges. School has become a real challenge for Noah because of a lack of understanding and resources for Fragile X affected children. Strategies to honor the core of a Fragile X learner are unknown to most school professionals. The main problem with autism-oriented approaches, which many school professionals try to implement, is that they fail to take into consideration the learning style of individuals with Fragile X. This year the Kelm’s made the decision to place Noah in an ES1 class, an integrated program which allows him to socialize with the kids in his 'typical' grade 2 class. He also has his special education class where he gets a little more support for the core subjects
• Sydney (6 years old), as is the case with most effected females, is not effected cognitively but struggles with social anxiety and attention. She is at risk for depression and learning difficulties as she gets older. She also suffers with the juvenile form of rheumatoid arthritis. Syd is in a typical grade 1 program currently assisted with an Individual Performance Plan;
• Ty (5 years old) is currently displaying moderate speech, learning and motor delays. He is also showing a mild cognitive delay. He is currently in an early intervention program to assist him with his development.
Assistance is almost non-existent within Canada for families with children affected by Fragile X. Consequently, Karen and Mike have brought therapists from the States, who are experts in Fragile X Syndrome, to Calgary, to advise Noah's teacher, aides and principal in making school manageable for him. They also used this opportunity to host a one day conference at the Alberta Children's Hospital to educate doctors, therapists, teachers, school administration and families about the treatment of the symptoms of Fragile X, as there is no cure at this point. The Kelm's have also coordinated for the leading expert in Fragile X Syndrome research and treatment, Dr. Randi Hagerman, to attend The Alberta Children's Hospital to conduct training with staff regarding this disorder.
Presently the Kelm family, are on the waiting list to attend the MIND Institute at the University of California Davis in Sacramento California. This clinic houses the world leaders in research and medical treatment of Fragile X Syndrome. Their desire is to have all three of their children medically and cognitively assessed at the clinic and have a comprehensive treatment plan put in place to maximize their abilities to learn and function in society. It is unfortunate that this not available in Canada, as a matter of fact; Mike and Karen typically spend most doctor's appointment educating doctors.
All of the Kelm's efforts to better the lives of their children and others affected by Fragile X Syndrome are funded by themselves personally or through small scale fundraising efforts.
The Cars
-BMW M Cars
-Mercedes- AMG cars
-Audi R8/S Cars
-Acura NSX
-Ferrari
-Lamborghini
-Domestics, Viper, Corvette
-Porsche cars
-Lotus
-Jag coupes/cabs
-Bentley/Rolls Royce
-All other exotics are welcome
If you would like to join in please PM me with you contact info and the car you will be bringing.
For those wanting to come check out the cars on the day of the event are more then welcome to come down and say hello
I will be updating as I get more organized.
Cheers
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