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The heart of the Racing Family
<o></o>As I read the Johnny Wladarski boat story I was deeply touched by the loving kindness of our great racing family. I shared Johnny’s story with many at work and they too were touched. Many of them asked if the racing family was always that compassionate and my reply was a very strong yes. I then shared the Chance Lee story with them and told them what an honor it was to be in Jesup Ga. to witness the outpouring of love to the Lee family.
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Our family was recently the recipient of the Racing Family’s loving kindness as well. I share this story not for the benefit of me or my family but so others can grasp what the racing family has done for yet another young man. Some of you know the events that led up to Joey going to the Nationals but for those who weren’t aware let me share another incredible story of unconditional compassion.
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Our family started planning last winter to take a vacation and head to New York for the Nationals and to visit our parents/grandparents. Joey had been looking forward to competing in his first Nationals and talked about the trip with wide eyes.
In April my father became ill with symptoms that were similar to a stroke. Soon after, Dad was diagnosed with a very aggressive tumor on his brain stem that was inoperable and he was hospitalized. We got word right before the July 4<sup>th</sup> race in Frostproof that Dad could leave the hospital and return to his home in Clayton, New York as long as he had 24 hour a day care. My Mom is legally blind so immediately after the Frostproof race my wife flew to New York with Joey and Amy so Dad could return home. I broke the news to Joey that he would miss the Nationals because neither his mother or I could take him. Joey took it like a man and said we’ll try again next year.
Brian Hendrick, Spencer Utman and Bill Giles were aware of the situation and started working behind the scenes. They came up with an offer to take Joey to the Nationals and let him stay with Team Canada for the week. Little did I know that our friends from Region 2 were also trying to put together a J rig so Joey could run. I was advised to contact Scott Reed to see what I needed to do to get the proper paperwork so someone from Region 2 could act as Joey’s Guardian at the races. Scott directed me to Bob Trolian and Butch Kiddy and soon after the paperwork was done. I then got a call from Dan and Jeanette Clickner saying they had a complete rig and would put Joey behind the wheel.
Joey was stunned when he got the news that he was being “adopted” for a week. and he would be able to race at the Nationals. Team Clickner, Team Scott, Ron Waterson, Brian Hendrick, Spencer Utman, Joe Guyette, Nat Natali and many others worked feverishly to get Joey going but he just couldn’t get the boat to plane off. Joey processed it all in his mind and was content to be able to watch. Becky Nichols refused to leave Joey on the beach so Becky and her family loaned Joey a hydro and he got to race at his first Nationals. He is also enjoying working the judges stand and inspection.
There are so many people I need to thank but I don’t have all the names yet of those who touched Joey’s life this week. He will fill me in when he gets back to Clayton in a couple days and I will thank each and every one of you.
I do have to thank the Brewster family for sharing this part of Joey’s life through their camera lens. They were our eyes through this event.
The Waterson family is eternally grateful for the unselfish loving kindness the boat racing family has shown to our son Joey. I can not put into words how much we appreciate you guys, you helped a 12 year old young man realize a dream and helped us share a milestone in his life even though we were many miles away.
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THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
Russ & Annette Waterson
Proud parents of Joey “The Wanderer” Waterson, and proud members of the boat racing community.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Our family was recently the recipient of the Racing Family’s loving kindness as well. I share this story not for the benefit of me or my family but so others can grasp what the racing family has done for yet another young man. Some of you know the events that led up to Joey going to the Nationals but for those who weren’t aware let me share another incredible story of unconditional compassion.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
Our family started planning last winter to take a vacation and head to New York for the Nationals and to visit our parents/grandparents. Joey had been looking forward to competing in his first Nationals and talked about the trip with wide eyes.
In April my father became ill with symptoms that were similar to a stroke. Soon after, Dad was diagnosed with a very aggressive tumor on his brain stem that was inoperable and he was hospitalized. We got word right before the July 4<sup>th</sup> race in Frostproof that Dad could leave the hospital and return to his home in Clayton, New York as long as he had 24 hour a day care. My Mom is legally blind so immediately after the Frostproof race my wife flew to New York with Joey and Amy so Dad could return home. I broke the news to Joey that he would miss the Nationals because neither his mother or I could take him. Joey took it like a man and said we’ll try again next year.
Brian Hendrick, Spencer Utman and Bill Giles were aware of the situation and started working behind the scenes. They came up with an offer to take Joey to the Nationals and let him stay with Team Canada for the week. Little did I know that our friends from Region 2 were also trying to put together a J rig so Joey could run. I was advised to contact Scott Reed to see what I needed to do to get the proper paperwork so someone from Region 2 could act as Joey’s Guardian at the races. Scott directed me to Bob Trolian and Butch Kiddy and soon after the paperwork was done. I then got a call from Dan and Jeanette Clickner saying they had a complete rig and would put Joey behind the wheel.
Joey was stunned when he got the news that he was being “adopted” for a week. and he would be able to race at the Nationals. Team Clickner, Team Scott, Ron Waterson, Brian Hendrick, Spencer Utman, Joe Guyette, Nat Natali and many others worked feverishly to get Joey going but he just couldn’t get the boat to plane off. Joey processed it all in his mind and was content to be able to watch. Becky Nichols refused to leave Joey on the beach so Becky and her family loaned Joey a hydro and he got to race at his first Nationals. He is also enjoying working the judges stand and inspection.
There are so many people I need to thank but I don’t have all the names yet of those who touched Joey’s life this week. He will fill me in when he gets back to Clayton in a couple days and I will thank each and every one of you.
I do have to thank the Brewster family for sharing this part of Joey’s life through their camera lens. They were our eyes through this event.
The Waterson family is eternally grateful for the unselfish loving kindness the boat racing family has shown to our son Joey. I can not put into words how much we appreciate you guys, you helped a 12 year old young man realize a dream and helped us share a milestone in his life even though we were many miles away.
<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--><o></o>
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!
Russ & Annette Waterson
Proud parents of Joey “The Wanderer” Waterson, and proud members of the boat racing community.
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