From: Mike.Adams@f10.n19.z1.fidonet.org (Mike Adams)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Jerry's orphans
Date: 7 Oct 92 16:44:29 GMT
Reply-To: Mike.Adams@f10.n19.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:19/10 - Majik Shoppe BBS, Altus OK
X-Fidonet: Able News Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24755

[This is from the AbleNews Conference]

MM>        You've raised some good points. But a lot of good HAS been done by
MM>that Telethon. If it were run out of business, what's the alternative? It'
MM>one thing to point out deficiencies in an existing method, but I'm one of
MM>those people who believes that if you get rid of something that serves a
MM>purpose, you should have a replacement ready.

I agree with you on this one, Melissa.  The Telethon has been going
on for several decades now, and it seems to me that much of the
controversy now surrounding it arises simply from folks who like to
stir up trouble in the first place.  The world's full of them.  It
doesn't make any difference whether there's truely something wrong or
not.  Controversy creates attention.  Attention creates an opportunity
to profit, and I'm convinced that some of these folks merely want to
start getting some of the money for their own personal use rather
than the MDA's.

MM>Jerry Lewis is not a saint, or a devil. He's just a well-meaning m
MM>with all the predjusices and biases of his age. Rather than condemn him
MM>completely, I think we should work positively to develop a new, more accur
MM>image of people with disabilities. With time, telethons could become a
MM>powerful tool for distributing that image.

The last time I walked on water, it was seriously cold and at least
a couple of feet thick.  I wouldn't propose that THAT particualr test
be given to anyone who's working a telethon out of Las Vegas on Labor
Day.  From all I've read, the opponants of the Telethon tend to believe
that an incorrect image of those dealing personally with MD is being
projected by the Telethon.  I'm sorry, but I've seen the Telethon for
years, and it's always shown me people who are quite admirable in their
ability to deal with MD.  It's shown me families drawn closer together.
It's shown me individuals who have developed a strong sense of purpose
in their lives.  It's shown me people who have evidenced tremendous
courage in facing the inevitable.  It's shown me people who have
sacrificed time and money to help others.  It's shown me that groups
and communities can indeed work together for a good cause.  It's
shown me that there is a tremendous amount of good will in the world
that can be tapped into if someone just gets up there and asks.

So the premise that the Telethon portrays people with MD as helpless
and asks that they be pitied is a false one as far as I'm concerned.
I've seen too much evidence to the contrary.  Sure it tugs at the
heart here and there in an effort to loosen the purse-strings, but
that's the nature of any effort to gather money.  Some people react
to facts.  Others to emotion.  The Telethon wants to reach them all.

MM>If something doesn't work quite right, why destroy it if it
MM>can be improved?

I'd suggest that the format of the Telethon is working extremely
well and the only thing needing work is the attitudes of those
who wish to tear it down.  A thing is not successful and long-
enduring if it's not doing something right, and there are few
money-raising efforts out there as successful or as long-lived as
the MDA Telethon.  While it's true that Jerry Lewis is not a
saint, it's probably time that his detractors took a look in the
mirror.

 * SLMR 2.1 *

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