Monday, September 04, 2006

Look At Us, We’re Walking

(first I want to say how very sad it is that the Croc Hunter died. Thanks for a whole lot of memories, Steve.)

This entry isn't about that though. I'm sure this will become fodder for the one so low to the ground he mocks people who choose to do good but that's fine with me. If someone is so bitter and small he has to mock people who try and want to do good for others then he must truly have a sad meaningless life.



I've been watching the MDA telethon for as long as I can remember. For my whole life the telethon has been there every Labor Day and every year I dig into my wallet and give what I can. Jerry Lewis has been a superhero for me for longer than some of you have been alive. Two years ago he looked like he was almost dead, I watched the telethon with tears and fears that it would be his last hurrah.

This year Jerry looks amazing. Modern medicine has worked its miracles and Jerry is in fine form. That doesn't mean it's been a dry-eye telethon, it hasn't. Every time I hear the stories of these brave kids it's like the waterworks are on autopilot and they start. There was this kid last night who looked just like Bobby Hill and he had the most mind-blowing attitude I have ever heard.

So here I am again reminding people that Jerry Lewis is doing his thing and you can be a part of it. They don't care how much you give, if you can only spare five bucks then give it. It just takes one dedicated mind to stumble upon the right mix of science and miracle to lead to a cure and in this day and age there is no reason that there isn't a cure. That there isn't something.

If you don't give a hoot about me and my asking you once more to give out the doubloons, then go here and meet my friend's son Severin. When you finish oohing over how cute this kid is, go take a look at Severin in his wheelchair. He's an amazing kid from all I've heard of him and his mother is a strong and inspirational woman. He has MD, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to be specific, and it sort of brought it home for me. It's not about pity, I think he'd be angry if you tried to offer pity.

It's about understanding that there is something you can do about this. It takes money for research. It takes money for medicine. It takes money to get these people the tools they need to have a good quality of life and no child should go without a wheelchair or a walker because their parents can't afford it. Makes me sick.

Muscular Dystrophy is a broad-sweeping term, it's not just kids and there are far too many varieties for me to even begin to understand. But I understand pain and I understand sadness and I understand hope.

Hope. What this telethon and the MDA manage to give to countless families who need it. Without hope there is nothing to look forward to, nothing to hold on to, nothing to believe in. I have hope. I support hope. I believe in hope and I believe in medical miracles brought about because people care. Hokey? Maybe. I don't care, I'll take hokey if it gets one of you to give a doubloon or two.

So that's my plea. Get off yer duff and do what you can. If you have American Express and donate using the card, Amex is donating an extra $5.00 per pledge. They take cards, pledges to send a check or money order, whatever method you want to use to donate.

I don't think I'm any beatified being for posting this but maybe it will inspire a person or two to give and I'll take that. We have so much in America, there's so much in this country that's wonderful. Generosity is one of those things.

Take a minute and give up that pack of smokes, drink, CD, DVD, downloaded songs, whatever. Do something with your doubloons that could actually matter. Think past the self.

The MDA Website

(I realise the title of this entry actually came from the Cerebral Palsy telethon but it worked)

1. Don’t sweat the belly scrappers kitty, numbers speak volumes and after an attempt at plagurism for an “Ask” segment that drew “A” question, thats singular, “A” as in One, we can all see where the quality is, not to mention where the level of maturity falls in such people.  Keep doing your thing and pay no mind to the petty.

   As for Jerry, he rocks and helps the children of the world, what can be better?  Its the few and rare people like him that reaffirm my faith in humanity.

   Rock and roll

   TreemanX  on  09/04  at  11:07 AM

2. I have ALWAYS, always watched the MDA telethon, and I’ve always loved Jerry too. I think it’s a great thing, and I appreciate this particular post. It is a wonderful, oh-so-worthy cause to be sure. And fuck the haters. They’ll stroke out or pop a vein early from all that tension and stress on their brains if they aren’t careful. I simply can’t imagine being that miserable, makes me sick to my stomach.

   I hope you’re feeling much better!!

   aka_monty  on  09/04  at  02:44 PM

3. Oh sweetie~
   thank you for this post.  i’m actually sitting here crying. 
   you are truly one of the beautiful people.
   love,
   krista

   malfouka  on  09/04  at  09:31 PM

4. PS.  for any naysayers, i can personally attest that the MDA
   does what it says.  anything that a MD patient needs and can’t afford, the MDA
   will provide.  Also, the MDA holds an annual summercamp--at no cost--for
   any and all MD kids.

   malfouka  on  09/04  at  09:44 PM
Page 1 of 1 pages

Name:

Email:

Location:

URL:

Smileys

Remember my personal information

Notify me of follow-up comments?