Page 31 - 2021 Winter CMTA Report

Like Father, Like Son

BY MARCIA SEMMES friend Jess was talking to a par-
ticipant named Ethan Kyle Aron Taylor and son Kyle
tears some Sargent (who goes by Kyle), a
families apart, computer programmer.
CMT but in a strange As the three spoke, Jess
twist of fate, it brought Kansas observed that Kyle and Aron had
City Branch Co-Leader Aron a number of similarities in addi-
Kyle Taylor together with the 19- tion to working in the same field,
year-old son he had never met. including their distinctive CMT
Aron is well known in the legs. Kyle had never met anyone
CMT community, not just as part with CMT before so Aron invited
of a mother-and-son pair of him to a branch meeting. When
co-leaders, but also as a musi- Aron gave Kyle a business card
cian, a rapper and bearing the name of
the composer of Since making his music production
“Giving Toesday,” their “Hallmark company, Ridiculous
the CMTA’s 2020 movie connection” Beats, Kyle remarked
post-Thanksgiving Aron and Kyle that he was a musi-
fundraiser. have talked cian too. Aron noted
Aron is from the that “Kyle” was also
small town of Par- multiple his middle name.
sons, Kansas, but has times daily. The lightbulb
lived in the Kansas moment came when
City area for the past 15 years. Aron asked Kyle his last name.
He was diagnosed with CMT in On being told that it was Sar-
the second grade, though his gent, the name of a long-ago
specific type (2A) wasn’t con- girlfriend, Aron threw his hands
firmed until 2019. in the air and exclaimed to the
Even with the challenges of entire room, “This is my son.”
CMT, Aron was able to keep Simultaneously, Kyle said, “This
playing varsity baseball as a is my dad.”
pitcher and infielder through his Since making their “Hall-
senior year of high school when mark movie connection” on
he was sidelined by a foot injury. October 18, 2019, Aron and Kyle
Today, he continues to struggle have talked multiple times daily.
with stairs and occasional falls They live just 20 minutes apart
but feels fortunate that his CMT and see each other several times
is still fairly mild. a week. Noting that Kyle pro-
Now 43, Aron is an IT pro- grammed video games at the age larities in their posture and body
fessional at a law firm in Kansas of 14 and is a talented guitarist, language and quickly recognized
City, with experience in tech the proud father praises his son the deep love Aron has for his
training, public speaking and as smart and funny. long-lost son, “This is meant to
resume building. In that capac- Aron looks forward to being be,” she told them. Aron agrees,
ity, he gives motivational talks to able to help his son navigate adding “It’s a happy ending.”
various groups. So when his some of the difficulties of CMT, It’s also a new beginning:
friend Jess asked him to speak at like braces, and says he feels a Sharing their love of music and
a job fair for a group of young responsibility to be a role model technology, the father and son
adults, he said yes without hesi- for his newly discovered son. are already collaborating on
tation. After Aron’s talk about Together the two visited a music together. “It’s going to be
resumes and interviews, his counselor, who noted the simi- beautiful,” Aron says. k

WINTER 2021 THE CMTA REPORT 31