Matt Snell was the original bassist in the band Five Finger Death Punch. Saturday at his Tattoo shop in Reno, he hosted Ink for Autism, a fundraiser donating all proceeds from tattoos to the Autism Coalition on Nevada.
Snell became an advocate shortly after he met his wife Shannon and her daughter Joy, who is autistic. He says they both, especially Joy, bring something special to his life.
"Joy just brings this kind of energy," Snell says. "I love Shannon, I married her." Snell continued. "And Joy has this ability to take all your negative energy away so if you're having a bad day and you go lay in bed with her for 20 minutes and watch a show you come out refreshed. It's almost like a spa treatment."
Snell met Shannon about six years ago and they hit it off instantly. Snell says after he retired, he was trying to find what he wanted, and was having trouble.
"They saved my life pretty much," Snell says. "I was just going around in circles for a long time."
Shannon and her family was exactly what he needed.
"It re-centers your priorities and helps you really focus on what really matters," Snell says. "Instead of chasing a different lifestyle or material possession or adoration from others, it turns into, 'Wow, I really want to be home tonight, and I really miss my family and my kids.'"
While the Snells and their artists donate time and money, today is also special for the meaningful tattoos created. Sean McCarry got a rainbow-colored puzzle piece on his arm Saturday for his two and a half year old son.
"My son, he's very offset from other people," McCarry says. "But he's a very, very colorful and loving child. This rainbow is like his personality, there's a bunch of different parts, but when they're all together it's a beautiful thing."
McCarry says the first year for him and his wife was tough, but they did get help from Nevada Early Intervention Services, and he says it's helped tremendously. He says anyone willing to put something like Ink for Autism together is special.
"My son, he's acting like a child again so it makes me way too happy," McCarry says holding back tears. "And I want to thank everyone who's out there helping those kids with different diagnoses, I really do. These people are a godsend."
ACON was in attendance today, and a representative told me Matt and Shannon Snell have been a pleasure to work with. She says on top of putting events like this together all on their own, they have testified at the state legislature for ACON also.
Snell says he does what he can for families who need the help.
