Editor:

I am very fortunate to receive coverage in various local media about Special Kids Foundation, getting the word out about our organization, the supports we offer to families, and to someday find those who will help us fund our dreams is such a gift, but I am saddened by how some media omits what was actually said in an interview.

This most recent reporter told me the magazine article would feature me, our organization, and what we are doing in East County. They interviewed me for over an hour. I want everyone to know the story I told.

I started with Pam Gallud and the support group she ran from her home. This was the beginning of my journey. I spelled her name, and sang the praises of the five women at the meetings who supported me in my darkest years.

I told the tale of our support group, which gave birth to the idea of our facility, and how we help each other in so many ways.

I told about Sash Migay, his bringing TOPSoccer to Brentwood. I spelled his name, and sang some more about how his way with kids is so amazing: his gentle style, and how his group grew.

I told of my husband, Mark McBride, creating Freedom League as part of Delta Baseball, so kids could do that sport too, and how the two of them, Sash and Mark, as fathers in similar situations, understood each other so well.

I told how Jude Byrne started every activity she wanted for her own kids to have – from Challenger bowling with Ellie Tunell to Music Makers with Miss Jane. I explained about how Special Kids is not providing these activities itself, but rather the people involved are the promotional team and organizational squad for them. I laughed about how Jude’s database reaches so many.

I told about how another board member, Ana Chuey, took a position with YMCA to work daily on our programs and bring services to many families. I talked about how hard she works now both for SK as well as the Y to make sure our vision doesn’t get pushed aside.

I told about her husband, David, and his efforts coaching both baseball and soccer, making DVDs and always searching for things that will help us.

I told about board member Linda Maurer, making sure our agenda is handled properly too, while commuting to volunteer for us.

I told about Cathy Woods and her coordinating Pump It Up, Paula Horne researching for us, and getting us a grant from Chevron, and Loretta Holder arranging for Liberty Mutual to help us too.

I explained that all these parents did these things whiles working, many times raising more than one child, and having special-needs children too.

I told about our other board members/parents, from Val Castaldi stuffing envelopes to Tammy Young calling all over town, to Chris Connell creating our scrapbook – all volunteers.

I told about Jim Frazier in Oakley who called me, joining with us to reach our goals, partnering with the YMCA, putting money as well as love (and elbow grease) into our organization.

I told about Vickey Rinehart, Susan Darm and Doug Hartsough, who started giving their all from the beginning … and I spelled their names, too.

If they had written my story, it would have filled their entire magazine, and even I can see how that might not work. I want everyone to know, I told our story. I know, and appreciate that this is not just me, but a collection of so many loving, generous forces making this thing happen.

Lisa McBride

Discovery Bay