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Okay guys and gals, I wanted to let you know about an benefit event that we IDPA shooters are planning in conjunction with the IPSC shooters at PSC. One of our fellow PSC members and IDPA/IPSC shooter, Byron Simpson, has a terrific 21 month old daughter that really needs some help. At the age of two months, little Julia underwent surgery, but she suffered post-surgical complications that left her with severe and permanent brain damage. Byron has medical insurance, but much of the therapy Julia receives is not covered under the policy. Last year alone, the Simpsons spent over $24,000 on her care, none of which was reimbursed by insurance. I have copied part of Byron’s email below, and included a link to a website for Julia, to give you more information. His email is being posted with Byron’s permission.

So here is the plan. We have 8 pistol bays at PSC. The regular IDPA monthly match is held on the first Saturday of each month and the IPSC guys have their regular monthly matches on the 3rd Saturday of each month. On Saturday, October 1, 2005 we are going to have a combined IDPA/IPSC match. Four bays will be set up with IDPA scenarios and four will be set up with IPSC scenarios. We don’t shoot steel at our IDPA matches, so the IPSC folks will use the bay with two steel plates racks as part of their match.

The match fee will be $25 and will entitle you to shoot both the IDPA and IPSC matches, but obviously you can shoot only one if you wish. If we can have a gun donated or sold at a good discount, then we’ll raffle it. All proceeds from the match and raffle will go to the Simpsons.

So that’s the plan folks; join us if you can. Don't let it worry you if you've never shot either an IDPA or IPSC match. Hopefully, there will be a lot of people in the same boat. For the new guys and gals, we'll pair you with experienced shooters to help you through the matches. We'll have a good time and for a great cause!

Regards,
Chas.

P.S. This is not the TexasCHLforum Day at PSC; it will be held on October 29, 2005.


Byron's email:

Charles, Please feel free to share Julia's story. We have a one page
website with some information and a few pics of Julia here: http://www.childrenofpromise.net/julias.html

Julia was born with a birth defect that needed correction via surgery. She had the surgery at about 2 months of age. There were complications after the surgery that caused her heart to stop and her lungs to collapse. Her brain was deprived of oxygen for an extended period during the arrest, resulting in severe and permanent brain injury. Julia receives a minimum of three to five hours of physical rehabilitation exercises daily as well as other treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen and an intensive cognitive program. My wife Carolyn and I are the primary deliverers of the therapy and programs, but we also have some ladies who volunteer from our church. Julia is now 21 months old. She is unable to sit, crawl or walk and does not speak. Carolyn and I continue to be hopeful that our efforts will restore function and help her improve.

Best,
Byron

I just wanted to bring the benefit match back to the attention of the board members, to remind them it would be this weekend.

Thanks, Capt. Dave, I forgot to put it over here ...

Charles and I toured PSC Sunday, and didn't see anything at all that would be a problem for the benefit match. It is ON.

Hope to see lots of folks there ...

TraCoun

As you know the benefit match this coming Saturday will be a cooperative effort of PSC-IDPA and BAPS (IPSC).

IDPA will have Bays C, D, E and F
A total of 9 stages
91 rounds minimum
Concealment planned, but change is possible

I have no idea what the IPSC folks have planned, except they will have the bay with the steel plate rack, plus the other new bay and bays A and B.

Shooters will be able to do ALL the bays, IDPA and IPSC, for the $ 25 match fee. If A LOT of people want to shoot both, it could be a long day, so the more help we get early to finish set up (I'm going to do what I can tomorrow evening), the earlier we start.

BTW, the PSC Womens' Program will be doing burgers & such, for minimal fees that will also go to Byron & his wife and daughter.

Hope to see you there!

Thanx,
TraCoun[/b]

Really had fun today. The weather got a little hot for me so I left after only 1 IPSC stage. I did all the IDPA stages. Got several procedural (I know better, but I'm only human and still make mistakes), and I still need to work on my pistol skills. It's my first time to draw, present, and shoot from my concealment holster today and it's quite an experience. Shooting the steelies from an IPSC stage was pretty challenging too. All in all, its a good day. :)

Great day! I had a lot of fun laughing at my IPSC friends trying to abide by the IDPA rules and they had a lot of fun laughing at me. I'm glad it was all in fun because I my brain stopped working several times, must have been the heat!
I understand we raised over $2K for the Simpson's, I just hope it helps.

Later, DJ

The match was a great success! Thanks so much to everyone for pulling this all together. Charles, Tom and Marc put on a great match. Fran and the ladies cooked some awesome burgers too.

I brought 3 new shooters and we shot the whole match. Our little squad of 4 was the last to finish -- the IDPA SO's were nice enough to stick around for us slowpokes.

I can't begin to thank everyone enough for your generosity. We deposited $2203 in Julia's bank account. This will greatly help with her physical program of ABRas well as with her cognitive program through the Family Hope Center.

These alternative treatments have shown great progress for Julia, but they are not covered by our insurance. We spent close to $24000 out of pocket last year and are on pace to spend the same this year again. But she is worth it. We refuse to believe the doctors who say she will never walk - never talk. We know we can help her achieve many of the things that come so easily and so naturally to healthy kids. We just have to persevere and keep the faith.

God Bless all of you, and thanks for the support.

-Byron