Introduction

Denise Plante (Host): Join me in welcoming Aaron Lapedis, who has been selected as the 2016 recipient of the Invisible Disabilities Association Volunteer Award. Aaron has been chosen based upon his lifelong passion and volunteerism, supporting multiple charities that serve people impacted by illness and disabilities while experiencing it within his own family. By using his talent, platform, and treasures, Aaron has been able to positively impact numerous charities, such as the A.L.S. Association, Arc of Colorado, the Autism Society, the American Heart Association, and the National MS Society, to name a few.

Ladies and gentlemen, a big round of applause for our Volunteer Award winner, Aaron Lapedis.

Aaron LaPedis’s Acceptance Speech

Thank you very much. My father instilled in me the act of giving back. When my gallery began to thrive, my wife and I were able to do just that. When my son was born and we later found out he was on the spectrum of autism, we realized we needed to do whatever we could. We started helping out with the Autism Society.

A Personal Turning Point

Still, there was a void in my soul, which was followed by intense sadness because I could give a lot of money and time, but it didn’t do any kind of impact on him. I had to do something else because the hole of despair was still going on.

Transforming Sadness into Purpose

So what started out as a simple flipbook as a Mother’s Day gift about our son turned into a book, [A Boy Named Logan Penguin & His Great Adventures], about awareness—awareness and acceptance about autism. It also raises money for the Autism Society.

But the biggest benefit of all was that the sadness I was feeling went away and has been replaced with the excitement of having this child and the incredible journey he has taken me on.

Legacy and Gratitude

Growing up, I aspired to be as great as my father. Now I just want to be worthy of having such an amazing son as mine.

Thank you for this great honor.