Brundidge Recalls Her Son's Sayings
In March, she was able to find the miracle she needed on a trip in Texas. While walking through the RV park where the family was staying, Brundidge noticed Brandon was suddenly brimming with confidence. The normally quiet and shy child was now smiling and strutting through the park talking to strangers and, honestly speaking, worrying his mom about his newfound bravado.
"I wondered, why is my son so brave?" Brundidge told CNN.
Brandon replied, "These are my friends." They know me. They love me.
Brundige was puzzled until her son interrupted her and pointed to something.
"See? "It's my message!" He said.
As she looked up, she was shocked to see a sign with the same slogan as a plethora of bumper stickers, banners and other paraphernalia in the area: "Let's Go Brandon."
"That's not a sign," Brundidge remembers saying to her son. "That's your book."
The book led to a charming meeting
The meanings and origins of "Let's Go Brandon", are not so positive.
The phrase is a minced swearing of "F*** Joe Biden" that first came to light during a broadcast of the NASCAR Sparks 300 race in October 2021. The crowd at Talladega Superspeedway was chanting the tune when NBC Sports reporter Kelli Stavast and her husband, who had apparently misinterpreted the phrase, claimed they were saying "Let's go Brandon" in honor of the winner of the race, Brandon Brown.
"Let's go Brandon",' he said.
Conservative personalities quickly took to the misunderstanding and incorporated it into their political vocabulary. Today, "Let's Go Brandon!" declarations are commonplace online and on all manner of conservative merchandise.
Brandon Brundidge didn't know any of that. For Brandon, it was an encouragement.
Sheletta Brundidge's new book, "Brandon Spots His Sign," was published in April, within one month of her son's epiphany. With lots of hustle and assistance from her illustrator, Sheletta Brundidge also released this book "Brandon Spots His Sign" in April.
In the story, Brandon is nervous about taking part in sports like dancing and swimming because he fears that his autism will hinder his participation. Then he spots "Let's Go Brandon" messages that encourage him to take more chances. The back of the book also offers tips to help people with autism.
The book caught the attention of President Joe Biden, who sent Brandon an admiration letter. It also reached Brown, the NASCAR driver that unwittingly helped in the creation of the "Let's Go Brandon!" craze. gaming news Brown was publicly ambivalent about the term, but struggled to keep sponsors due to its controversial nature.
Brown's team reached out to the Brundidges and invited them to an coming Xfinity Series race. Within one week the Brundidges family was at Wisconsin's Road America track, where they were treated like VIPs. Brown had Brundidge's name printed on the hood of the Camaro.
The book's cover is displayed on the hood of the race car that Brown raced in.
"I know how it works. When you are well-respected and respected, people are more likely to invite you to go. But Brandon [Brown] was genuinely the most sweet person," Brundidge said. He could have waited. He could have looked at the book and thought"That's cool.' But he knew the urgency of bringing awareness."
The younger Brandon even got to help move Brown's car out of the way which according to him on CNN was one of his top aspects of the day. That, and getting to meet a fellow Brandon and Brown, of course.
The boy also gave the driver an autism awareness pendant that hangs on a chain which matches one of his own.
Brundidge said, "He hasn’t taken it off since."
The pendants that the two Brandons wear to raise awareness for autism are displayed.
Brown felt that the charmed encounter offered a chance to bring back the phrase he believes has become too negative.
"To see this happen was like a breakthrough moment for us," Brown said after the Xfinity Series race. This could be a positive thing. This could be a good thing. It doesn't have to be a cause for snark or division."
CNN reached to NASCAR to ask for their opinions.
This meeting has led to an opportunity to form a friendship
After the race, the bond between the Brandons didn't end. Sheletta Brundidge has said that Brown texts or calls her son every day to discuss Minecraft or to check in on him.
The whole experience has been a huge motivational boost for the younger Brandon.
Brandon Brundidge got to sign his name on Brown's car.
Brundidge says, "I have seen him confidence go through the roof." "Kids with autism are frequently left out or are chosen last." A lot of times, it's because other children aren't able to comprehend why they behave the way they do."
She adds, "You just need to pray for a supportive system and for love." Brandon Brown has loved my son. He has shed spotlight on autism throughout the world for everyone to be able to.
Now, Brandon Brundidge has a new friend as well as new fans and many new books to sign. Brandon told CNN that it was a lot of work. His mother hopes this experience shows how much children with autism can be successful with love and encouragement.
Even in bitter division, there are still little miracles.