I am saddened by the passing of Jerry Lewis today and yet I'm so inspired. His death leads me down the road to so many memories that I have. A man whose life made me laugh, cry and want to be more. As a child, the MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) telethon was a big deal in our house.
I had three cousins on my dad's side of the family with Muscular Dystrophy; they all passed away too early. I was so excited to watch the telethon with my parents and the best part was calling the telethon and pledging my $20 in my cousin's names. The telethon was always so entertaining for me, watching singers and actors coming on the show and giving money. The part that I always watched so intensely was the stories from the families affected by the disease. It would capture my mind in sadness and some fear. I was a hypochondriac when I was young. I was scared of dying with any small ailment. I felt so bad for those kids and families.
Jerry lewis always made me laugh in his movies, like the Nutty Professor, The Bellboy, At War with the Army and so many more. I was raised watching old movies: thank you mom and dad! Jerry Lewis was someone I could relate to, so it was easy for me to watch the telethon. He made something scary like Muscular Dystrophy easy to learn about and actually want to help kids with it. He was my first understanding of a philanthropist.
Little did I know that when I was 25 I would have my first real life experience with the MDA. That was when my youngest son was born with what is considered a form of MD, Mitochondrial Disease. Actually the MDA raises money for Mitochondrial Diseases and certain metabolic disorders. This was the time in my life where hypochondriasis was no longer an option for me, and learning about these diseases was essential! I was no longer scared; I was going to learn all I could about this disease and find away to make my son's life better. In 1996 we raised our first research money for Mitochondrial Disease with the very first Mito What? Walk/Run. I am reminded today that I still need to do more!
Jerry Lewis raised over 2 billion dollars over his 40 years of the telethon. Wow! Rest in Peace Mr. Funny Man and thank you for sharing your life with me <3
I had three cousins on my dad's side of the family with Muscular Dystrophy; they all passed away too early. I was so excited to watch the telethon with my parents and the best part was calling the telethon and pledging my $20 in my cousin's names. The telethon was always so entertaining for me, watching singers and actors coming on the show and giving money. The part that I always watched so intensely was the stories from the families affected by the disease. It would capture my mind in sadness and some fear. I was a hypochondriac when I was young. I was scared of dying with any small ailment. I felt so bad for those kids and families.
Jerry lewis always made me laugh in his movies, like the Nutty Professor, The Bellboy, At War with the Army and so many more. I was raised watching old movies: thank you mom and dad! Jerry Lewis was someone I could relate to, so it was easy for me to watch the telethon. He made something scary like Muscular Dystrophy easy to learn about and actually want to help kids with it. He was my first understanding of a philanthropist.
Little did I know that when I was 25 I would have my first real life experience with the MDA. That was when my youngest son was born with what is considered a form of MD, Mitochondrial Disease. Actually the MDA raises money for Mitochondrial Diseases and certain metabolic disorders. This was the time in my life where hypochondriasis was no longer an option for me, and learning about these diseases was essential! I was no longer scared; I was going to learn all I could about this disease and find away to make my son's life better. In 1996 we raised our first research money for Mitochondrial Disease with the very first Mito What? Walk/Run. I am reminded today that I still need to do more!
Jerry Lewis raised over 2 billion dollars over his 40 years of the telethon. Wow! Rest in Peace Mr. Funny Man and thank you for sharing your life with me <3
Tip of the Day: There may be people in your life that you are not even aware of how much they affect the way you live your life. Who's in your life that has changed the way you think or act?
Today's blog brings back the the old memories---all so true.
ReplyDeleteGreat memories! Thanks José!
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