The Echo

I have the distinct honor of knowing Dan Prettyman personally.  Dan is a tremendous young adult of character and charisma with beautiful dreams that I am certain he will bring to fruition.  Some view disability as a challenge, although I am fairly certain that Dan would disagree.  He is an inspiration to me, he always has been, as my own family journeys through this life touched by autism.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Autism advocate enjoys dream visit to Pepsi—thanks to Jeff Gordon

To know Dan Prettyman is to know that he loves Pepsi. The 2008 Delaware Autism Program graduate and current participant in Autism Delaware’s adult services program works as a file clerk for Christiana Care Neurology Specialists, but his dream job is to be a taste tester for Pepsi.

“I’ve liked Pepsi since the late 20th century-early 21st century,” explains Prettyman. “I enjoyed Hallie Eisenberg’s commercials with the celebrity voices. I tried Pepsi and liked it. I never dreamed it would become a life-long addiction.

“I met [NASCAR driver] Jeff Gordon at the golf tournament [Autism Delaware’s Drive for Autism] in May,” continues Prettyman. “I told him my dream job is traveling the country and doing taste tests for Pepsi. He told me Pepsi was one of his sponsors and he would get me a tour. At the end of July, they set it up. My dad and I visited Pepsi headquarters on November 9.”

Needless to say, the highlight of the tour for Prettyman was taste testing the products. “They had all these different labs. At one, I taste tested the fountain Pepsi and Pepsi Next. At another, they showed me five flavors, and I had to identify them; I got them all right. I also tasted a Slurpee-like Pepsi Next and Bone-Chiller Cherry. I sampled all but the mint because I don’t like mint. And I got to make my own Pepsi. I also got to make one in my own flavor. I chose cotton candy. It was sweet.

“This trip was awesome,” sums up Prettyman. “I want to thank Jeff Gordon and his team for making my dreams come true.”

“I met Dan,” explains Jeff Gordon, “at the Drive for Autism in Wilmington, Delaware, which is always around the Dover race. I was talking to him and quickly found out that he loved Pepsi and was very passionate about it. He told me facts about Pepsi that only someone who really knows his stuff would know.

“The thing that got me,” adds Gordon, “was Dan said he dreamed of the day he could go visit Pepsi headquarters and do some taste testing. Well, that part I could help with and thought it would be great to see this dream come true. I made a couple of calls, and next thing you know, Dan was in New York making his own flavors. Unfortunately, I could not join him, but I hear he was right at home and had a blast. Over the 16 years I have been with Pepsi, I have done some really cool things but to hear how much fun Dan had ranks right up there at the top. I thank Pepsi for being so welcoming and showing Dan such a great time.”

About autism and Autism Delaware

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. Considered a spectrum disorder, “autism” is actually a group of disorders with similar features. The symptoms range from mild to severe and present themselves in a wide variety of combinations.

Autism Delaware is a nonprofit organization made up of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), their family members, the professionals who serve them, and friends of people with ASDs. With offices in Newark and Milton, Autism Delaware serves the entire state.

Autism Delaware’s programs and services are supported by generous donations from individuals and corporations across Delaware. Fundraising events, like the Walk for Autism, also provide the income needed to make critical programs a reality. For more information on how to help, visit www.autismdelaware.org.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Carla Koss, communications coordinator
(302) 224-6020, ext. 207
carla.koss@delautism.org

Teresa J. Avery, associate director

(302) 224-6020, ext. 203

teresa.avery@delautism.org