Clint Black with a Rett child
The “Reeling It In For Rett” Registration Celebration will be held in Seabrook, September 10th and promises to be a lively time for all involved. The Celebration begins at 5PM at Seabrook’s Miramar Park and runs through 10PM.
The tournament, taking place in Galveston Bay, is the first of several events scheduled for October 21, 23 and 24 during Kevin and Clint Black’s annual “Spending Time Ending Rett” fundraiser to benefit the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF). “Reeling It In For Rett” begins at 5:00AM with the awards ceremony following at Outriggers.
As with the Registration Celebration, there will be delicious food, and live music from Katy’s popular singer/songwriter Kevin Black and son, Coleton Black at the awards gathering. There will also be plenty of door prizes for those who weren’t so lucky with the fishing.
In addition to the fishing tournament, included in the three-day event will be the “Tee It Up For Rett” golf tournament on Monday, October 24 at Magnolia’s High Meadow Ranch Golf Club, the “Stroll Across Texas” strollathon in Conroe on October 23, followed by the Young Singer/Songwriter Showcase at Founders Plaza. The main event will be the “Spending Time Ending Rett” Concert at Conroe’s Crighton Theatre beginning at 7PM. The event features two-time Male Vocalist of the Year Clint Black with brothers Kevin and Brian and nephew Coleton Black.
Kevin lost his 16-year-old daughter, Cortney, to the devastating neurological disorder and since that time, Kevin and Clint have been dedicated to helping find and fund a cure for the syndrome.
Clint says, “The effort to find a cure is paramount. To go beyond that, [the purpose is] to raise awareness for the families so they can stop chasing their tails and learn what they’re dealing with.”
Rett syndrome—not to be confused with Tourette syndrome– strikes all races and ethnicities, females much more so than males. The neurological developmental disorder is caused by a gene mutation (MECP2) on the X chromosome. Children are born healthy and, many times, develop normally until a period of regression occurs.
Loss of productive hand movement and motor skills, gastrointestinal/nutritional, cardiac problems, breathing issues and seizure disorders are all associated with Rett in varying degrees of severity. Loss of communication skills is common; thus, the girls are called “Silent Angels.”
One of the most tell-tale signs of Rett syndrome is unusual hand movements. Seemingly harmless hand-wringing or head-tapping can be an indicator of the disorder. With Cortney, Kevin states it was continual reaching; “It was always like she was saying ‘Pick me up! Pick me up!’”
Last year’s “Spending Time Ending Rett” event raised approximately $250,000 for IRSF. All proceeds from this year’s benefit, again, go to IRSF in hopes that very soon there will be a cure, or reversal. Kevin says he looks forward to the day “when it’s just gonna take that ‘one more dollar,” and, like all Rett parents, feels that day can’t come soon enough.
“It’s so exciting to be a part of this effort to find a cure for Rett syndrome,” states event coordinator Dave Clements. “These ‘Silent Angels’ are so very beautiful and so motivational– and to think that one day we can say we helped make a difference for these kids and their parents is so very special.”
The “Reeling It In For Rett” Registration Celebration is a time for fishing participants and event sponsors to get together for great food, lots of fun, and a special acoustic performance featuring Kevin and the next generation of musical talent, Coleton Black.
Brent Jones is in charge of the fishing tournament and says, “Everyone is invited and should join us ‘Reeling It In For Rett.’ With fishing, food, and music, we truly have something for everyone. In fact, if you don’t want to fish, you can still come join us at the awards celebration [at Outriggers] for lots of fun and great music for only $30.00. One-hundred percent of the proceeds goes to IRSF.”
Kevin, in addition to his Rett projects– keeps a full schedule touring; performing at public, private and corporate events. His latest album, SOLD OUT: LIVE AT DOSEY DOE, has put him on the musical map once again, following Dream On—his popular studio album from 2002. On November 4, Kevin will be performing Proud to be an American at the prestigious Operation Military Salute at Houston’s Second Baptist Church, honoring the Texas Heart of Service Award recipients.
This year was full of surprises for the country superstar Clint Black. In May, he learned through a 3 AM NASA Tweet that his song, Galaxy, woke up the crew of Endeavor and Expedition 28 on their last day at the space station and his original song, A Better Life– from the inspirational documentary, Unbeaten–made the 2011 short-list of Oscar nominated songs. Clint will soon be starring in Flicka 3, along with wife, Lisa Hartman Black.
Seabrook Mayor Glenn Royal says, “We need to work together to try to end Rett; anytime we can end a disease or disorder, we all benefit. We are proud to be a part of this.”
To learn more about the special three-day event or to make a donation, please visit www.SpendingTimeEndingRett.com.
