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INDEX OF ALL BEHIND THE SCENES EDITORIALS

Behind the Scenes of Florida Racing

 (September 3rd 1999)                                                         by Bill Green

                         
MY WISH TO YOU   
 

Okeechobee, FL

Today I watched as a handful of race enthusiast and a race truck driver,
made a miracle happen.  Tucked away, on a dead end road, is a little girl,
with future plans. Her aspirations, are not of our world some might think.
She dreams of puppies, butterflies, and bunnies to play with. The animals on
the pages of  the books she reads, come to life, in those sparkling eyes. 
She speaks with a tongue that appears, not to be able to keep up with the
rapid fire mind, that drives it. Quick with wit, beyond her young years,
she’ll dazzle you with a memory, you could only dream of. This sweet little
angel, God’s chosen one, teaches you an appreciation for life, you otherwise
would never have learned.
  
Standing there, trying to fit in, in a room decorated with Love, on the
walls and in the people. I realized, I felt that feeling, that feeling deep
within. That feeling you get, when you come to realize, your doing all the
right things, for all the right reasons. No one forced me to come see the
little girl on the Southern tip of the Kissimmee Plains. I came to support my
race team, my friends, my new family, as they fulfilled  a promise to the
girl, and to themselves.
  
Courtney Survency, has weathered a medical storm, that would have most
folks, screaming, "Why me?" After being diagnosed with a brain tumor, and
surviving the surgery. Courtney faced the on set of diabetes. Now, fighting
the constant struggles of a low immune system, Courtney, and her family,
fight to secure a positive future.
   
In early 1998, Renee, Courtney’s Mom, visited Thunder Cross Motorsports
Park, near their home. Renee enjoyed the excitement of the racing, and a well
deserved break, from the never ending care a devoted Mom gives to a miracle
child. But this Mom, was not only thinking about this break from the daily
schedule, she thought of her daughter, at home, reading or watching TV, to
pass the time. So, during the autograph session, she approached the female
race driver, in the purple trimmed suit.  Explaining her daughters plight, at
home and in life, she ask for a simple autographed picture.

Kim Sheffler-Hays

Kim Sheffler-Hays

Now the driver she ask, could have been any of thousands who participate
across this nation. They, as she, would have given willingly the picture in
question, but this one was different.  She felt it is always possible to do a
little more. So Kim Scheffler-Hays, made a small request, the address of the
little girl. See, Kim knew, what a few well placed, ‘Get Well Soon’ wishes
could possibly do.  So a Mother’s simple request, for an autographed picture
for her sick child, has bloomed into a pin pal friendship, and now the
meeting of the little girl and the race truck driver.
  
You did not experience, what I have today. You were not there. But if a
written word, can inspire others to do more, then here is my wish to you.  Do
not turn a blind eye to the faces you meet.  In those faces are the
Coutrney’s of this world.  And the fans are only as great, has the hero’s
they adore. Treat everyone special, and you’ll soon find, your special too.

                                                        -BILL GREEN


[Bill Green is announcer at Sunchine Speedway in St. Petersburg, and hosts
Short Track USA radio show Saturday mornings on AM 620 out of Tampa, Florida]

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