Riding by Christmas Lights

For over 47 years, Chip has been crafting music as a writer, singer, and producer. In 2000, his life took a profound turn when his son Dawson survived meningitis, introducing Chip to the world of special needs. Since then, alongside his wife Brandi and many friends in the special needs community, Chip has embraced a unique journey of growth and learning. Navigating therapies, IEPs, volunteering, guardianship, trusts, SSI, SSDI, DFACS, daily caregiving, and estate planning, he has gained a wealth of experience to share with others. While the story of Riding by Christmas Lights is well-known, Chip believes his greatest story is still unfolding: a vision, through God’s grace, of a supportive community for adults with disabilities and their caregivers, guiding them with love and unity among like-hearted people.

Natalie Pitts Dye has always possessed a generous, compassionate and joyful spirit, consistently prioritizing the needs of others through her thoughts and actions. We can’t think of anyone else we would want on our team helping us promote our song and message.

In April 2024, her life and that of her family were profoundly altered by a devastating car accident. The incident resulted in severe, life-threatening injuries: she broke her back in three places, severing her spinal cord, suffered a collapsed lung, shattered her sternum, broke all her ribs, and sustained numerous other injuries. Natalie was airlifted to Memorial Hospital in Savannah, Georgia, for emergency treatment. As a result of her injuries, she is now a paraplegic and relies on a wheelchair.

This life-altering event brought a wave of emotions and uncertainties. With the unwavering love and support of her family, Natalie has been navigating her new reality, taking it one day at a time. She shares her story to raise awareness about the potential for adults with disabilities to unite and make a meaningful impact on the world. If her experience inspires even one person, Natalie believes it will have been worthwhile. Her story is deeply personal, as it reflects her own circumstances, but it also conveys a powerful message: the comeback is always greater than the setback.

Dawson was born healthy in October 1999 but became a special needs ambassador in January 2000 after an ear infection triggered meningitis. Unlike typical cases where ear infections persist for years before treatment, Dawson’s illness lasted just one week, suggesting a divine purpose. After briefly dying on the emergency room table due to oxygen deprivation, he later shared, inspired by a documentary on the afterlife, that he sat on Jesus’ lap and was sent back to guide us through a life of God’s design. His most remarkable gift is his infectious smile, making him a beloved figure in our community. While my own Facebook posts might earn a few likes, posts about Dawson easily surpass 100, reflecting the joy he spreads to all. Everyone in his small town of Holly Springs/Hickory Flat Georgia knows Dawson. He works hard around the house making sure trash is taken out, getting mail from Krystal our mail carrier, putting groceries up from Kroger delivery, saying ‘Hi’ to neighbors on his daily walk and of course he played sleigh bells and triangle on Riding by Christmas Lights!