i wanna' tell y'all a story
I try to give to charities. My own sister has a neurological disorder [which is probably why she's such a hairy bitch but that's an entirely different story] so I know all about worthwhile causes and organizations to donate to.
With being a single mom who doesn't work and with the economy being in the crapper, it's hard for me to give as much as I'd like to these days. But something happened the other night that has really affected my life and I wanted to share it with y'all.
This past Thursday, I entered the school campus to get into the carpool line and noticed a very large RV parked in front of the school's auditorium. It had writing on it but I had no idea what it was about. On Friday, my son asked me if we could attend a movie screening about a young man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His school is very big into community service, giving to worthwhile causes, being eco-friendly, etc., so I said "Sure, why not?".
I had no idea that I'd walk out of that auditorium a changed person.
I'll attempt to tell you the story about this young man but I know I won't do it justice so all I ask y'all, is when you're done reading this blog post, to click on any of the links in this post or on the advertisement in my sidebar underneath the 'about me' section and give. For $20, it will be so worth your time and money.
Darius Weems was 15 years old when his friends-turned-filmmakers took him on a 3-week trip from Athens, Georgia to Los Angeles, all so he could try to get on MTV's Pimp My Ride to get his wheelchair pimped out. Their journey also included finding how handicap-accessible America really is. They filmed a movie about Darius's experiences, experiences that many of us will never have. Along the way, long-lasting friendships were forged, friendships that you and I will probably never be fortunate to experience for ourselves during our lifetime. Now at 19, Darius is still traveling with his friends to spread the word about his cause and about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Their goal is to sell one million DVDs in one year. Although people with DMD are surviving longer now, it is still the number one killer among young male children and I, for one, would like to see these guys reach their goal before DMD takes Darius's life.
Folks, if my 11-year old son was left speechless by this film and Darius's larger-than-life presence and attitude, that speaks volumes to me.
Please take some time at your leisure to at least look at this site. Thank you!
With being a single mom who doesn't work and with the economy being in the crapper, it's hard for me to give as much as I'd like to these days. But something happened the other night that has really affected my life and I wanted to share it with y'all.
This past Thursday, I entered the school campus to get into the carpool line and noticed a very large RV parked in front of the school's auditorium. It had writing on it but I had no idea what it was about. On Friday, my son asked me if we could attend a movie screening about a young man with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His school is very big into community service, giving to worthwhile causes, being eco-friendly, etc., so I said "Sure, why not?".
I had no idea that I'd walk out of that auditorium a changed person.
I'll attempt to tell you the story about this young man but I know I won't do it justice so all I ask y'all, is when you're done reading this blog post, to click on any of the links in this post or on the advertisement in my sidebar underneath the 'about me' section and give. For $20, it will be so worth your time and money.
Darius Weems was 15 years old when his friends-turned-filmmakers took him on a 3-week trip from Athens, Georgia to Los Angeles, all so he could try to get on MTV's Pimp My Ride to get his wheelchair pimped out. Their journey also included finding how handicap-accessible America really is. They filmed a movie about Darius's experiences, experiences that many of us will never have. Along the way, long-lasting friendships were forged, friendships that you and I will probably never be fortunate to experience for ourselves during our lifetime. Now at 19, Darius is still traveling with his friends to spread the word about his cause and about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Their goal is to sell one million DVDs in one year. Although people with DMD are surviving longer now, it is still the number one killer among young male children and I, for one, would like to see these guys reach their goal before DMD takes Darius's life.
Folks, if my 11-year old son was left speechless by this film and Darius's larger-than-life presence and attitude, that speaks volumes to me.
Please take some time at your leisure to at least look at this site. Thank you!
Labels: Darius Weems, giving is good, movie madness
posted by Michelle Flaherty at
6:13 AM
6 Comments:
Wow, what a great cause! I wish Darius the best. What a brave young man!
Koolio~~ I haven't seen the movie, but do know a bit about DMD from Her Bad Mother's blog. Her nephew has it.
http://badladies.blogspot.com/2007/07/heart-is-muscle-use-it.html
Thanks for sharing this... there are some awesome people in this world!
Everything's tugging my heart strings today, including the mom I loaned every cent I have to this morning and the Patau's Syndrome (Trisomy 13) website after a fellow blogger found that her stillborn child had it.
So, once I fill the wallet I'll go looking to refill my heart too.
America is really not wheelchair friendly, and the wheelchairs themselves are a pain in the ass to load and unload (especially if you're like my boss and no longer have a handicap-equipped van). It's definitely hard to travel.
Growing up my best friend's family had several young men with MD although I'm not sure if it's the same kind Darius has. It's amazing how they push ahead despite the pain.
GP, this kid is my hero!
Thanks for letting me know that, Avalon. I'll have to check that out.
Tug, there sure are!
Oy Pan! That's some tough stuff to deal with!
Honey, you're right. They found that about 70-80% of America IS wheelchair accessible which isn't so bad but I thought that there was a law that passed several years ago that said if you own a public establishment, you HAD to have a ramp. Maybe I'm wrong. And there are nine types of muscular dystrophy.
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