By: Courtney Taylor
Singer/songwriter Doug Mathis has pre-released his new song "How Many Days," with all proceeds during the next 30 days going to benefit the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (VKC TRIAD). The song is about a young boy with autism, who has a special interest in numbers and is available for download at www.dougmathismusic.com.
“A friend of mine has a little boy who is autistic, and he is always asking his mother, how many days until my birthday, how many days until Christmas, how many days until this or that happens. He loves numbers,” said Mathis. “One evening when she was putting him to bed he asked her, how many days until I go to Heaven? They obviously had a very interesting conversation, and I knew I had to write a song.”
Mathis’ team reached out to VKC TRIAD with the idea to launch the song at a benefit honoring his friend’s son and raising funds for autism research, training, and services.
“An Acoustic Evening for Autism” took place on April 23 at The Troubadour Nashville. It was sponsored by Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms and hosted by Devon O’Day. Performers included T. Graham Brown, John Berry, Wade Hayes, Jimmy Fortune, Doug Mathis, Dillon Massengale, Steve Anthony, Darryl Worley, and other special guests.
“The performances were stellar, the crowd was incredible, and we were able to interact with and provide resources to many families with autistic loved ones,” said Pablo Juárez, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA, co-director of VKC TRIAD. “We can’t thank Doug and Debbie enough for their generosity, coordination, and recognition of the importance of the work TRIAD does with families. And I can’t wait to download Doug’s song!”
Mathis and Randle visited the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center on May 29 to present a check to Juárez, his VKC TRIAD co-director Alacia Stainbrook, Ph.D., BCBA-D, and VKC director Jeffrey Neul, M.D., Ph.D. The group discussed potential ways VKC TRIAD might use the funds for autism programming that is not supported by grants and contracts.
VKC TRIAD is part of the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, which works to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. VKC TRIAD is dedicated to improving assessment and treatment services for autistic individuals and their families, advancing cutting-edge discovery and research, and enhancing training opportunities for educators, professionals, and community organizations across the state.
Download "How Many Days" for $1.99 on Mathis’ website at www.dougmathismusic.com/.
Learn more about the autism research, training, and services of VKC TRIAD at https://vkc.vumc.org/vkc/triad/home.
Donate to VKC TRIAD here: https://vanderbilthealth.org/howmanydays.
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Last Updated: 6/4/2024 11:25:04 AM
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