The Jerry Lewis Telethon Raises $63,759,478 for The Muscular Dystrophy Association
Your Business Blogger’s misspent youth involved a number of all-nighters in college.
No, not studying.
Dancing.
So if the night was to be wasted and the students wasted, then it was thought that perhaps it all could be done for a good cause.
We put on a dance marathon, the first Superdance, to raise money at ODU (aka Over Dose University). Back in the day, we raised some $14,000 for The Muscular Dystrophy Association and Jerry’s Kids.
Maybe it wasn’t such a waste of time.
It is not too late to make a pledge. Our family did.
It was easier than dancing all night.
MDA TELETHON RAISES RECORD $63.8 MILLION
LAS VEGAS, Sept. 3, 2007 — Jerry Lewis today made good on his annual promise to raise at least “one dollar more” for the fight against muscular dystrophy.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s 42nd Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon set a record of $63,759,478 in contributions and pledges, which will fund research, services and information for people with any of the neuromuscular diseases under MDA’s umbrella.
“I’m deeply grateful for the incredible generosity and support of the American public,” MDA National Chairman and Telethon star Jerry Lewis said. “Each year they outdo themselves in supporting our quest for cures for diseases that steal the strength — and the lives — of ‘my kids.’”
Hi.
I came across your blog looking for pieces on patriarchy and couldn’t help but notice your mention of Jerry Lewis’ telethon. I’m not sure about your direct or personal involvement in the struggle for disability rights, but thought I’d share the position of those in the struggle, on the front lines. From a message sent last week. It is my impression from the rest of your site that you seek to be informed and compassionate, and I share this with you in respect and solidarity.
Sincerely,
M. A. Martinez
National Lawyers Guild
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Stamp Out Pity
“Pity? You don’t want to be pitied because you’re a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house!” -Jerry Lewis
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) telethon [an event to raise money by using TVs and phones] has disrespected our community for far too long. Year after year, the telethon uses disabled people as poster-children to invoke [bring] pity. Jerry Lewis, the host, has even been known to call disabled people “half a person who must learn to do things half-way” or say that disabled activists who do not agree with him are “going to walk out of those chairs and drive home tonight.” Rather than promoting equality or disability as a cultural identity, the telethon says that disabled people are nothing more than objects of charity.
The Disability Activist Collective, a group of young disabled people building community, is joining other activists to fight the telethon. The Collective refuses to let the pity-filled message of the telethon define disability. People across the nation will be sending letters to their local newspapers to stamp out the telethon. A template [guide you can copy] of the letter can be found at the bottom of this page so you can write to newspapers, magazines, family and friends to say you hate pity!
In addition to organizing a letter campaign, the Collective has created an internet campaign. This is designed to bring bloggers [internet writers] together to combat Jerry. To join the campaign, visit http://www.crip-power.com or email consciouslycrip@gmail.com. To see what people write, please visit http://www.karasheridan.com on Labor Day. And, to find out even more, visit:
http://thekidsareallright.org or check out Too Late to Die Young by Harriet McBryde Johnson from your local library.
With you in solidarity and love,
the Disability Activist Collective