Friday, February 19, 2010

Why Lu rocks and a desperate plea for money...

We interrupt the regularly scheduled programming....more on my trip tomorrow, pinky promise, with photos. But I promised Lu that today I would do some begging for her. And since it's for a good cause I won't even feel the least bit bad.

Lu has been contacted by the Muscular Dystrophy Association about their annual fundraiser. She will be removed from work and "locked up for MDA" on February 25th, frantically calling friends and family to raise her goal- $1500. Someone anonymously gave them her name and when they called, she graciously agreed to participate. Any and all disabilities are important in our home and anything we can do to raise awareness and money is important. We do not have anyone in our family or extended family who have suffered with Muscular Dystrophy, but one of Sean's childhood friends, Jordan, had MD and passed away last year. She was a beautiful little girl with the heart of a fighter and the soul of a poet.

Both Lu and Sean are counselors during the summer at a camp for people with disabilities. Lu is their supreme autism handler. Of course, after living with CJ, she's got that down! And all of her Campers adore her. Two years ago they had a new twelve year old boy come to camp for the first time. He was autistic and very close on the spectrum to her brother CJ. They had many of the same characteristics. His parents were very nervous about leaving him at camp, in someone else's care. He was assigned to Lu and she spoke to his parents every day on the phone to reassure them. He returned eagerly last year.


Lu and her camper


Sean is often given the less manageable campers because of his size, strength and infinite patience. He deals with wheelchairs, spasticity, and frustration. He is amazing with these campers. And they also adore him. He too, works well with autistic children.


Sean and a camper


It's no wonder the girls he works with at camp fall for him, huh? Both of them have been this way from a young age. When Lu was in 3rd grade and Sean in 2nd, I got a call from the school principal because they'd ganged up on a kid who was bullying a deaf child at recess. Guess who didn't get punished? However, they did get a lesson in the art of verbal warfare. Why use fists when you can skewer them with your words?

So on to Lu's latest endeavor. She can collect money before the actual "lock up" as well. And so I'm including this link:

https://www.joinmda.org/2010quincy/fearlessdivagirl

Unfortunately, you can only donate by credit/debit card. But even if everyone who reads this donates $1 it will help. Thank you in advance. And the video is kinda cute and clever. =}

♥Spot

12 comments:

  1. I will definitely check it out! And....I gave you an award :)

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  2. Thanks Laurnie!!

    And I totally forgot to mention that Lu's real name is Molly for those of you who don't know. So if that's the name on the page, you made it to the right place!

    ♥Spot

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  3. What amazing children you have! I will come back on here tomorrow and check out the site.

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  4. This disease has recently touched us, my good friend of many many years was just diagnosed with MS.

    I so want to donate, but I can't get the page to load.

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  5. You've got good kids there Stacey. I don't have a credit card anymore. It had an unpleasant meeting with a scissors.

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  6. I know you must be really proud of your kids. I hope they realize what a difference they make in the lives of those little kids ;)

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  7. Suzicate~ Thank you. I think they're pretty great. And thanks for checking out her page.

    Heather~ The page has a video and a bunch of other things. It takes forever to load on my computer and mine is usually fast! I put it on my facebook too so you might try that link. Thank-you!!

    Tina~ Haha! Mine too! I use a pre-paid card that only has as much on it as I choose to put there. No fees! And it's handy for traveling or shopping online. It works out great. And thanks, I think they are awesome as well.

    Daune~ I am very proud of them indeed! And they do know what a difference it makes to both the kids and the parents. Growing up with a brother with autism, they have learned alot. Lu is very sad that this is her last year working at the camp for awhile. The next two years she will be away at school even in the summer.

    ♥Spot

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  8. You have every right to be incredibly proud of your kids, sweetie. It's unusual to find young people who honestly have empathy for kids with disabilities....especially enough to be involved with them outside of their own families!

    I'm off to follow the link. I don't have much to give but I can always give something...

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  9. I'm impressed with you -- for having kids like that.

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  10. There will be an award waiting for you at my blog in the morning!

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  11. Lu does rock and this is an incredible task for someone so young to take on.

    Changing lives, that's what it's all about.

    :-)

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  12. Kathryn~ Thank you! I'm very very proud of their compassionate natures. And thank you so much for donating!

    Jerry~ thank you. I did my best.

    Angelia~ Thanks Angelia. She is a little downhearted by the lack of response she's getting. She trudged up and down the mall asking local businesses to donate and came away with a measely $5 bucks. But she keeps plugging away!

    ♥Spot

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