KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Almost a thousand fans with special needs attended the Royals’ game against the White Socks on Sunday.
Royals’ announcer Rex Hudler and his wife, Jennifer, hosted the event. Their oldest son cade has Down syndrome. The Hudler’s call it “ups” because cade lifts their spirits up.
“Cade has brought a lot of unconditional love to our family. He’s been a huge inspiration like many of those children are and today is the day we get to celebrate at the ballpark and of all places we can have fun and love and let these families enjoy being together and embrace special day at the ‘K’,” said Hudler.
Proceeds from Special Day at the ‘K’ go to the S.O.A.R. program (S.O.A.R. stands for Special Opportunities, Abilities and Relationships) which provides respite care for families. Stephen “Doc” Hunsley from Grace Church started it when his special needs son passed away.
“We learned how hard it is to be a parent with special needs and you can’t get a night out. The divorce rate is 90 percent for families with special needs. That is why we launched this ministry. So we can reach out and love on these families and love on these amazing special kids,” said Hunsley.
“The program goes way beyond respite. They have camps and mothers bunco group and a support group. It’s a fabulous program and I encourage families who have special needs to contact the S.O.A.R. program and Doc,” said Jennifer Hudler with Team Up for Down syndrome.
Hunsley sat in buck O’Neal’s legacy seat on Sunday.
If you are interested in getting your family involved you can learn more by clicking here.