Page 4 - Southern Exposure- March '20

Page 4, Southern Exposure

Southern profile from page 1

mood for the 200-plus guests was like
a postgame championship party on the
streets! Attendees came dressed as their
favorite sports fan/figure (real or from
the movies) or team fan. From the topical
(Robert Kraft) to the creative (Arnold
Palmer) to the religious (rainbow-haired
guy holding sign saying “John: 3:16”) to
the obscure (comedian Bob Nelson’s Eppy
Epperman), everyone got into the game.
They danced and played on the 16-person
giant LED foosball table, Pop-A-Shots
basketball games, Skee-Ball and even
classic arcade video games with the fervor
of athletes gunning for the win.
Flint Technologies donated a cool
laptop computer, and raffle items
provided by the Miami Heat, Miami
Dolphins, Florida Panthers and local
sports venues All Sports Grill and Brass
Ring Pub ensured that spirits were Jamie and Mike Average Joes
high and contributions kept coming as
everyone tried their luck in the evening’s games of chance. through the end of 2019. The event is a passion project for libations. If only watching sports at home was this much fun!
Over $40,000 was raised for the Aicardi Syndrome Adam and Lissa Gumson, whose oldest daughter, Ava Shaye The $420,000 raised since 2006 thus far helps the
Foundation at the party and in the ensuing weeks/months Gumson, was diagnosed as a baby with Aicardi Syndrome, a foundation to fund research grants at both Baylor University
rare congenital neurological seizure disorder which inhibits and the University of California at San Francisco,
the normal development of motor skills, sight and speech, underwrites the cost of wheelchairs and equipment that
causing mild to profound developmental delays. When she otherwise may not be obtainable for some families and
was diagnosed, the Gumsons were informed that Ava’s life aids families in attending the biannual Family Conference
expectancy was no more than two years. Ava is now 15, in where Aicardi families from all over the world gather to
10th grade, and although she is nonverbal, severely delayed exchange information. This, in turn, enhances each family’s
and has multiple daily seizures, she is a happy, happy girl ability to care for their own Aicardi child. Since only 1,000
who attends the Learning Academy on the campus of the Els girls worldwide are afflicted with the syndrome, there is
Center of Excellence. As the MVP of the night, she welcomed very little money for research and the foundation is made
guests with high 5s before calling it an early evening. up entirely of volunteers (mostly the affected families and
What started as a small party with friends and family held their extended family and friends).
at the Gumsons’ home for the first 10 years has blossomed To learn more about Aicardi Syndrome or Ava Shaye
into a major annual event held at the Tequesta Country Club. Gumson or the other Aicardi girls, log on to www.
In its fourth year of hosting this party, Tequesta Country aicardisyndromefoundation.org and/or www.ouraicardilife.
Club brought its “A” game, serving a host of stadium-type org or contact Jupiter Law Center at (561) 744-4600 if you
food (pizza, ribs, sliders, hot dogs, tacos and shrimp kabobs, have any other questions about Aicardi Syndrome or about
Northrops to name a few of the delectable treats) and beer and other how you can help support the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation.

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