Our website, cawsnjaws.com, was ‘born’ two years ago. Prior to that, we were invited to be a part of the Frontstretch.com family as a forum on their original message board. People responded to our posts about NASCAR, special families, and the information we provided about Tourette Syndrome (a neurological disorder our family is affected by). After a time, we were inspired to start our own website, and continue our mission to not only write columns about NASCAR, but to help spread awareness of Tourette Syndrome and the disorders that many times accompany it.

The desire to do this is derived from the experiences we have had as a special family. Everything from being ostracized in our community, to the wide-open acceptance that we have experienced from the very day we became NASCAR fans. The good and the bad; the defeats and the sweet victories. And the knowledge that the world is always a better place when people can see something that is not ‘ordinary’, identify it, and have compassion and empathy for it instead of fear or disgust. What people make up when they don’t understand something is almost always so much worse than the truth.

Not only are NASCAR fans notorious for their allegiance to their favorite drivers, but they are well-known as the most spiritual, compassionate, and giving sports fans in the country. My son, Joshua, and I have enjoyed so much sharing our thoughts about NASCAR and our experiences in our lives through the years, and NASCAR fans have responded to us quite positively.

As the bleak and dreary off-season is upon us, we thought this would be the opportune time to try to launch an idea that we have had for a while. Joshua in particular has a talent for asking good questions in interviews, and has gotten folks like Mike Joy, Artie Kempner, Kenny Wallace, and Dave Despain to do interviews with him.

We have been thrilled about that, of course, but we think there are some very exceptional people out there in the world of the NASCAR fans that could be showcased as well. We are thinking in particular of the special people, the people with diseases, disorders, and other handicaps, who live courageous and difficult lives that families not affected by things such as this are aware of.

It was not until I was the parent of a special child that I was aware of the additional difficulties that exist in the world of the handicapped. For instance, going to school is a normal routine for most families; but it is not that way for a child with special needs. In the generation I grew up in, the special kids were in classrooms kept apart from the other kids, but it is not that way anymore. The trendy term is ‘full inclusion’. I could write a novel as lengthy as ‘War and Peace’ about my experiences getting Joshua through high school, and my mental wrestling with subjects like full inclusion, and that is just one aspect of his life. That isn’t including the decisions that need to be made about doctors, medication, therapy, and such things as the transition from school to adult life.

We would like to offer the special families that are also NASCAR fans the chance to be in the spotlight. We have put together some questions that, when answered, should be able to provide an idea of who they are, how their lives are affected by their disabilities, and what dreams they may have.

If you are a special person with a disability, disorder, or handicap, or are a family member or friend of one, please answer the following questions and submit them to specialfamily@cawsnjaws.com. Joshua and I will review them, and will contact you when we are ready to run your story on our website.

We would like to think this is just one small way that we can bring awareness of the many disorders and disabilities that affect NASCAR fans around the country. And awareness can inspire research, and research can bring about a cure.

Please pass these questions on to whomever you think might be interested in them, or perhaps post the information on your favorite NASCAR message board. If you know of any organizations, you can pass this on to them to pass out to their members or support group coordinators.

Every person deserves their 15 minutes of fame, even the special ones among us.

Special Individual/Family questions:

• What are the names of your family members (please include ages of the children)?

• What area of the country do you live in?

• How long have you been NASCAR fans, and what attracted you to the sport?

• Who are your favorite drivers? Do you have any particular mementos that are special to you?

• Have you attended any tracks? Are there any NASCAR tracks near you?

• Which family member(s) is/are affected by a disorder, disease, or handicap? When were they diagnosed?

• Please name the disorder, disease, or handicap (and if it is not well-known, please provide some information about it).

• How does this affect the person(s) daily life? How is your local community in their reaction to this person? Is this person able to go to public school, college, or be employed? Are there any particular obstacles that have been the most difficult to overcome?

• What hopes and dreams does this person have? Are they skilled in anything in particular, or wish to learn about or be trained in something? Will they need some kind of care till they are an adult, or for a lifetime?

• What organizations, websites, books, or other resources, are available to people who wish to learn more about the disorder, disease, or handicap that affects your family?

• Is there anything in particular that you would like other NASCAR fans to know about your special family member(s) and/or people that have the same disorders, diseases, or handicaps?

• Has being NASCAR fans helped the world of the afflicted person be a little bit brighter?

• Please provide your name and email address, so that we may contact you for further information, or for a possible picture. We will not share this information with anyone; the information will be kept completely confidential.