From: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org (Jeffrey Vandyke)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Jerry's orphans
Date: 7 Oct 92 16:44:54 GMT
Reply-To: Jeffrey.Vandyke@f14.n279.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:279/14 - Project Enable, Dunbar WV
X-Fidonet: Able News Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24758

[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

MA>not.  Controversy creates attention.  Attention creates an opportunity
MA>to profit, and I'm convinced that some of these folks merely want to
MA>start getting some of the money for their own personal use rather
MA>than the MDA's.
.
MA>Day.  From all I've read, the opponants of the Telethon tend to believe
MA>that an incorrect image of those dealing personally with MD is being
MA>projected by the Telethon.  I'm sorry, but I've seen the Telethon for
MA>years, and it's always shown me people who are quite admirable in their
MA>ability to deal with MD.  It's shown me families drawn closer together.
MA>It's shown me individuals who have developed a strong sense of purpose
MA>in their lives.  It's shown me people who have evidenced tremendous
MA>courage in facing the inevitable.  It's shown me people who have
MA>sacrificed time and money to help others.  It's shown me that groups
MA>and communities can indeed work together for a good cause.  It's
MA>shown me that there is a tremendous amount of good will in the world
MA>that can be tapped into if someone just gets up there and asks.
.
MA>So the premise that the Telethon portrays people with MD as helpless
MA>and asks that they be pitied is a false one as far as I'm concerned.
MA>I've seen too much evidence to the contrary.  Sure it tugs at the
MA>heart here and there in an effort to loosen the purse-strings, but
MA>that's the nature of any effort to gather money.  Some people react
MA>to facts.  Others to emotion.  The Telethon wants to reach them all.
.
MA>I'd suggest that the format of the Telethon is working extremely
MA>well and the only thing needing work is the attitudes of those
MA>who wish to tear it down.  A thing is not successful and long-
MA>enduring if it's not doing something right, and there are few
MA>money-raising efforts out there as successful or as long-lived as
MA>the MDA Telethon.  While it's true that Jerry Lewis is not a
MA>saint, it's probably time that his detractors took a look in the
MA>mirror.
.
  I really have to agree with this. I have watched the Telethon off
and on for years, and I didn't like the early ones myself. In all
fairness, there wasn't a lot of hope back then, anyway. Anyone who
has watched it should note that they HAVE changed with the times,
and are doing much more now with showing how actual people are
leading their lives.
  People have to also remember who is doing the Telethon. In
particular, it is done mainly SHOW BIZ people (and NOT just Jerry
Lewis, so people shoudn't pick on him). When show biz people run
the show, you are going to get a certain amount of song-and-dance,
some other entertainment, and some tugging-at-the-heartstrings.
After all, that's what they DO. They ENTERTAIN. Emotions are
what Hollywood is all about. Think about this: if Ted Koppel or
Dan Rather or any number of ther other top-flight newscasters
were running the Telethon, I'm sure you would get more dry facts.
You wouldn't, however get the kind of feedback to the fundraisers
that they get now. People put a lot of work and time into the
thousands of fund-raisers that are held. On the Telethon, these
people and their organizations are recognized for their hard work
in a very public way. Otherwise, many would't have much incentive.
A news format show would merely say something like... "...and we
thank the firefighters, stores, and other people who contributed
funds. A printed transcript of the contributors may be obtained
by sending $19.95 to..."   I don't think that would generate
too many funds.
  Other things people could keep in mind. With the research that
MDA has funded, a lot of things in genetic techniques have been
discovered. Many of these techniques, I hear, are now being used
in other human genetics-type research for the study of many other
diseases. Also, these techniques can also be used in plant and
animal genetics etc for food production. The information is
shared around the scientific community, so everyone benefits.
  Just my opinion I had to get off my chest.
            -- Jeff

 * SLMR 2.1a * Member, Off-Road Wheelchair Association

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