Throughout her life, Lee’s Summit resident Betty Sharp has done many notable things. She has been a wife for 58 years to her husband Ben and the mother of Jim and Mike, two men she describes as ‘wonderful sons,’ and a grandmother to Jackie, Danielle, and Dalton.
Betty has worked with Ben in various business ventures, owned a small flower shop. She helped with the creation of an alumni association in her hometown of Lapanto, Arkansas, and still actively works to bring tourism to the small town. Perhaps her most impactful role came when her family faced one of its greatest challenges.
That challenge began years ago while her son Jim and his family lived in California. On a visit to see her young grandchildren, Betty recalled noticing something with two-year-old Dalton.
“When he was a little boy, we noticed some things were not right,” Betty recalled. A visit to the doctor confirmed the family’s fears: Dalton was autistic. That discovery began a journey for Betty, who witnessed her son his wife, Chelo, struggle to find resources for their family.
“They have dealt with it together from the beginning,” Betty said of Jim and Chelo. “They have both been excellent.”
Together with Jim, Betty founded Autism Outreach Fellowship, a local organization that plans four events per year for families with autistic or special needs children.
Betty’s vision has been to provide information and support families affected by autism. She has worked tirelessly to offer hope and joy through fun events, where families with children on the autism spectrum and children with special needs could come and enjoy some time together with as little stress on the families as possible. “We have tried to make it as easy as possible,” she explained.
For example, families are not required to reserve a spot for events, because things can change on a dime.
There is never a cost to the families for the events, including for other family members. “You can’t rush an autistic child. They have to do it on their own time,” Betty explained. “It’s a different world until you live in it.”
What these families need the most from others, Betty explained, is compassion, understanding, and patience.
When others notice a child in the store breaking down in a fit, it is never clear what is wrong, she said. Parents of children on the autism spectrum struggle with the daily unpredictability of the disorder and how it will affect the rest of the family.
Hundreds of families have been served by the organization. Four main annual events include a Swim Party, Special Needs Campout, Pumpkin Party, and Christmas Party.
Betty continually seeks more opportunities to partner with or assist other organizations in their endeavors to bring awareness and activities to the families with special needs members.
The support the organization has received from area businesses and volunteers has been wonderful, and Betty is never afraid to ask for help for the families she serves.
“I’ll ask anyone,” she said. “All they can say is ‘no,’ but they might say yes.”
From the beginning, the mission to help local families has been blessed with the dedication and assistance from others…
Betty credits her son with continuing to find resources and education for families facing the challenges of autism…
Betty’s service extends to EITAS, or the Developmental Disability Services of Jackson County, where she has served as a board member for the past several years. Her commitment to the board is an extension of the service she gives to disabled persons, though the board serves adults.
Reflecting on her service, Betty shrugs off the idea of obtaining some measure of success with her efforts; for her, there is still much to be done. “I don’t think about success,” she said. “I just do what needs to be done.”