Monday, January 12, 2009

Jason Mitchener - Obstacles Don't Get In His Way!

Jason Mitchener I met a very motivating friend on twitter, Jason Mitchener. Mitchener, a Phoenix, Arizona resident was born with a rare neuromuscular disease that now confines him to an electric wheelchair and requires him to use a ventilator to breathe. Nevertheless, while his body may be confined, but his spirit soars free. He is very upbeat and positive individual. (You can follow him on twitter.)

What brought us together is the fact that my son’s race shop is also in Phoenix and Jason shares a love of NASCAR with me. So we started tweeting. Due to several setbacks, including a van in need of intensive repairs, Jason has not been able to attend his church and has had to decline engagements to appear as a motivational speaker. It seems to be such a felony that not only does Jason’s disability render his mobility limited; his lack of a Wheelchair Van restricts him even further!

Consequently, Jason has not been able to attend a NASCAR race in several years either. However, I learned that Dale Sr. is Jason’s favorite driver. I teased that his favorite driver should be my son, Moses Smith, but Jason remained steadfast on "The Intimidator."

NASCAR AngelsRecently Diane Sullivan, from a local Phoenix ministry called “Wheels from Above,” nominated Jason for the NASCAR Angels show in hopes of having his Wheelchair Van fixed. For those of you who do not know, the NASCAR Angels hit the road with a simple mission: to help people and to fix broken cars. With the help of the pros in neighborhood garages and products of NASCAR performance partners, NASCAR Angels help make dreams come true for those in need.

Wouldn’t it be spectacular, if Jason could get his van fixed before NASCAR rumbles into Phoenix for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 on 04/18/2009? I am sure my son would be honored to host Jason if he were able attend my son’s Camping World Series West race to contested in Phoenix two day earlier.

If you visit Jason’s website, you will find that he has traveled a rough road to reach his current state of grace. He has turned his attention to writing and preaching. His song lyrics and devotional writing inspire and encourage Christians to draw closer to God. Jason challenges his audiences to not let the things they cannot do get in the way of the things they can do. I hope the NASCAR Angels will recognize the genuine necessity of Jason’s nomination and help him become mobile again!

Rusty Wallace and Shannon Wiseman if you happen to read this blog please let me know if I and/or my son can do anything to help make Jason’s dream a reality!

26 comments:

Pokinatcha said...

Great post on Jason, he's awesome! That'd be awesome if they chose him!

Unknown said...

I wish Jason the best as a Nascar Angel. In hopes that he will be mobile soon.
Tara

Anonymous said...

It's a beautiful thing you're doing here. I'll be praying they DO choose him..wonder if there is something more WE can do for him?

Jimmie said...

Jason's a good dude and will help a lot of folks when he gets mobile again. What can we do to help him out here?

Beth Bridges said...

I know you're a bit tongue in cheek on anyone knowing Rusty Wallace, by why not use Twitter to send out a message to find someone who DOES know him or Shannon??

Silverose said...

Thank you for helping spotlight Jason. It would be so cool if he were able to get his van fixed.

Anonymous said...

jason is a great guy and inspires me every day (I read his devotionals all the time to perk up my spirits).

It really would be awesome if the Nascar Angels could help him get mobile again.

Anonymous said...

Jason is a very deserving individual who shares so much with everyone. Please help him. Thanks for sharing his story.

Rhonda said...

Jason is one of the most inspiring people I know. He is si deserving of this great opportunity, and would be forever grateful. He is a great guy!

Anonymous said...

I pray they choose Jason! He is a good man & deserves the best! Cindy (goatkeeper)7 gomer

ron ragsag said...

Prayin' that Jason will be chosen! He's a well deserving dude!

Unknown said...

Jason Mitchener is The EXCUSE CRUSHER! Who can find a better person to rally behind? What a great guy, and what a great opportunity to touch THOUSANDS of other lives through helping THIS man!

Carlton Flowers, Missouri

pancak said...

I hope Jason is recognized as the strong and deserving individual he is. May van repairs put him back on the road asap!

Anonymous said...

I wish him all the best. My son is also a full time chair user. Great post!

Genna said...

I live down in Tucson and I happen to be an enormous NASCAR fan so when I found out Jason was applying for the show, I was rooting for him! I have J's CD and also an autographed book he sent me. Since I am also a writer, knowing that he overcame so much to get where he is was very inspiring to me.

Also if your son does invite Jason down to the track, can I come? hehe

Seriously though, J does really deserve this! =)

Anonymous said...

I reached out to the Nascar angels and got a response from them regarding this.

Hello, Chris. Thank you for your e-mail and for sharing this article. Unfortunately, NASCAR Angels taped its only two Phoenix episodes for this season last fall. The show will not be shooting any more episodes in Phoenix until next fall, at the earliest. We will forward the article to the producers of the show for their consideration at a later time.

We appreciate you writing and hope you will continue to enjoy NASCAR Angels

THE NASCAR ANGELS TEAM

Given that, there is always the power of the Tweetosphere and the Blogosphere to reach out to others willing to donate in this cause, may want to go that route!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post about Jason! He is a a wonderful friend and so talented!

Anonymous said...

Rusty: from an Iowa Speedway fan where I saw Third Day in concert PLEASE go to bat for my friend Jason!!

Thanks and God bless.

Doriano

Anonymous said...

Wonderful post about Jason! He sounds like a wonderful and deserving person!

Unknown said...

I think it is a crime if someone or agency does not sponser Jason. He is a deserving person, and who ever does sponser him will be repaid many times over by great pr, and love of the community. I truly pray if not Na scar Angels, some company or organization steps up and sponsors him. Have you tried writing to all the local car dealers, sometimes they will donate a vehicle to such a person if it gets them enough pr, or possibly a talk show could get it for him, I have seen that in the past. I will pray for you Jason. Maybe a web collection, everyone give a dollar or two.

Unknown said...

I will keep Jason in my prayers.We all need help now and then and Jason is surely deserving.

Anikka W. said...

sounds like a very deserving guy. Is there any way to contact Nascar Angels more directly?

plmeek said...

It's too bad that the NASCAR Angels won't be able to help before the upcoming season. Perhaps someone will step forward and help Jason get the much needed transportation up and going again. I will keep Jason in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

from arrtup3

Zoey, thanks for putting the spotlight on Jason, his positive point of view, his current need for major van repairs and his enthusiasm for NASCAR.
To paraphrase what Jason wrote so eloquently on his blog, we are all travelers and need to help and support each other in this journey. Although he meant it figuratively, we can definitely apply it here in the literal sense as well. Please let us know what else we can do to help get those wheels turning!

Anonymous said...

This is a really great thing you were trying to do for Jason. I am thinking it did not happen, since this is late Apr. and he hasn't mentioned it on twitter. I'm sure God has something special for this man, even if this did not pan out. One thing I do know is that he is blessed with lots of friends, and you are a special one! Thanks, and many blessings to you.

NASCAR Race Mom said...

Still hoping it will happen for Jason - he is a super guy!