Lethbridge father touched after autistic son gets VIP treatment at car wash
For five-year-old Jude Rudics, scrubbers and suds are his oasis.
Diagnosed as autistic at 18 months of age, the Lethbridge boy discovered over the summer an enduring affection for one of the southern Alberta city’s automated car washes, Mint Smartwash, which has become a destination for his family to help soothe the youngster.
“If he was having a bad day, he would start yelling for the car wash,” said father Brandon Rudics, who has become a stay-at-home dad while operating an automobile detailing business at night to tend to Jude.
“I was spending so much money there, I actually had to get a monthly membership.”
With so much quality time spent at the car wash, Rudics felt compelled to write a glowing review on the company’s Facebook page earlier this month, writing that they were frequent visitors as a way to help keep little Jude calm.
Rudics, who also has a two-yearold daughter, had been given a business card from the car wash, and little Jude turned it into his own name tag for his favourite place in the world.
“He found the business card on my desk and taped it on his shirt and came out and said, ‘Daddy I work at a car wash,’” beamed the proud dad.
On Tuesday, Jude was given the VIP treatment at Mint, getting a behind-the-scenes tour of the central Lethbridge car wash as well as some branded swag. He even got his very own name tag, appointing him assistant manager.
“He was just so thrilled — he was speechless,” Rudics said.
The visit sparked a conversation among members of the Chinook Autism Society, a group for parents of autistic children in the Lethbridge area, many of whom, Rudics was surprised to learn, are also frequent visitors to car washes. Rudics said they’re now planning a group visit for members of the society, where they ’ll also get a tour and some gear of their own.
“There’s been so much interest in it, we might have to go at three different times,” Rudics said. “It’s just been so great. Everyone’s spirits are just lifted.”
Jessica Currie, marketing coordinator for Mint Smartwash, said the company was thrilled to give Jude the grand tour, and are excited with the opportunity to cater to more autistic youngsters.
“We were absolutely touched (by the visit),” she said, noting they weren’t aware that there was a segment of people on the autism spectrum, like Jude, who are soothed by car washes.
“We had absolutely no idea — it’s something we didn’t pick up on.”
Currie added the company is now looking if it can offer discounts to families in the city with autistic children as a way of giving back.
As for Jude, a day after his whirlwind visit he was still on Cloud 9.
“He’s still wearing the shirt and hat,” said Rudics.