something to believe in

[WriterDom]

A poster a while back attacked celebrities for speaking out and fund raising for diseases or causes that touched them personally. While I don't think Christopher Reeve or Michael J. Fox are heroes for putting themselves on the front line of the battles they faced, I do think it's human nature to fight what has touched you or a close friend or family member.

If you could make a small difference in the world, what cause would you embrace and why?

 

[pabloback]

bitter and twisted individuals will attack great people out of jealousy

 

[Innocencefound]

Cancer in Kids.

I'd do whatever I could, from volunteering my time to fundraising. One person does indeed make a difference, and this is something that touches my heart.

As my Mother works in an Oncology department in a big Hospital, this is a problem that touches many families, both those suffering from the Cancer to those that help to cure the Cancer and beyond.

I don't like to see anyone suffer, but it IS sad when a celebrity has to go through the problem before it gets any coverage, that says how sad this world can be.

 

[lobito]

since I was abused as a child...

it would be to help sexually abused children. Who better to counsel them than someone who truely does know what it's like to have gone through the same things.

As I get older, more & more people are telling me that they were sexually abused too, and I do whatever I can to let them understand what they've gone through.

 

[Always]

animal and child abuse and rape... then again those are things I would personally kill people for, with little or no inhibition.


young teenage girls who have been sexually abused by male family members.

 

[MissTaken]

Families....

Having been raised in a difficult situation, I have now commited my career and to a certain degree my life to Advocacy for children and families in crisis. Issues they face include sex abuse, alcohol and substance abuse, financial need, certainly educational opportunities, serious mental health issues, domestic violence and strained family interaction.

Phew! That sounds pretty intense. Having experienced most of those issues in my own family life, I believe that it makes me the stronger and better lobbyist for the families I work with.

I also am involved in volunteer work for the local cancer center.

 

[Angel]

There are so many tragedies and illnesses, it's very difficult for most people to realize how it affects their lives and the lives of those they love until it happens to them. I don't understand how they can be flamed for that. I think using their celebrity status is a good thing - it gets people to notice things they may not have noticed before.

My Grandmother was just diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and I probably wouldn't have known a damn thing about it if Michael J. Fox hadn't brought the public's attention to it. And my Grandmother talks about him alot. It makes her feel better to see someone else battling her disease. To know that hey this person is going through what I'm going through and he's doing something about it.

Anyway, to get back on topic - like I said. There are so many terrible things going on you feel guilty choosing which to fight for - and you can't fight for every horrible thing you hear of. I do things that hit close to home because I'm more knowledgeable about them and I can actually DO something.

Like animals. I adore them, and sick strays always seem to find me. So I care for them and find them good homes. Someday I want a house on a huge plot of land so I can build somewhere to house sick, stray and abandoned animals and put them up for adoption.

 

[Desert Amazon]

 

[Silverlily]

Lou Gerhig's disease.


Everyone has heard of it, but very few know what the disease really does. Was I aware of it prior to my mother's diagnosis? Of course not, I'm not a walking AMA journal. Am I aware of it now? Like you can't imagine if you've never been there.

 

[Laurel]

Mental illness among adults, especially schizophrenia. People stricken with schizophrenia don't realize they're sick, because the disease affects the part of the mind that's responsible for self-awareness. So they think the voices they hear are real. They think people really ARE plotting against them, talking about them, etc. An estimated 1% of the population is afflicted with schizophrenia - the numbers are the same in the U.S., Europe, and everywhere they've done such studies. It's a brain chemical imbalance, and there is no cure (though it can be controlled with medication).

For families of adults with schizophrenia, it's a hard road to walk. You can't legally force them into treatment (which is a good thing), yet they refuse to take their medications or see therapists. They often can't hold jobs or maintain steady relationships. And while some families are supportive and helpful, many get frustrated and turn their backs on the ill person, who then ends up either killing themselves (1 in 13 schizophrenics commit suicide) or living on the streets.

If I had infinite money and time, I'd work to provide better support networks for families of the mentally ill, and also to provide better outpatient care for those who aren't in immediate danger but definitely need help. Currently, it's next to impossible (short of very expensive private hospitals) to get help for a schizophrenic unless they've been shown to be a danger to themselves or others...which is lame, because if they could GET care early on then they might never get to the point of being dangerous.

I'd also work to educate people on mental illness, so that they'd understand that it's a biological problem - just like a cold or cancer or a broken leg. The stigma is a lot of what keeps people from seeking treatment when they begin hearing voices or having frightening thoughts. If people would see mental illness the same way they see physical illness, then they'd get treatment faster and be able to live normal lives.

I'd also set up no-kill shelters all over the world for stray animals. They'd be given physicals, spayed or neutered, then be allowed to live out their lives in safe, fenced-in yards with good food and shelter and human friends.

I'd also give money and support to groups that support the First Amendment, of course.

So, 1) mental illness; 2) strays; and 3) speech.

 

[Neale]

Hmm...

I would like to help enable people to realize that they CAN make a difference. That they do have power in their own lives, and that they can make the world a better place. If more people realized that they do, indeed, have a very real and powerful effect upon their own lives and the lives of others, both for good and bad, then they might be a bit more careful about where they lend their personal energy.

Besides that, and on a much smaller scale, I enjoy helping people of all ages learn to communicate with computers. No, not using computers, though that is part of it, rather, I like helping them see the computer as a useful tool, and nothing to be afraid of.

 

[cymbidia]

Mental illness among teens, especially schizophrenia.

For all the reasons Laurel mentioned, except that in teens, it's very often overlooked since everyone knows teens act funny anyway, or misdiagnosed since it's so difficult to disgnose in the first place.

http://www.mentalhealth.com/book/p40-sc02.html
http://www.southeastmissourihospital.com/health/kids/adoles/schiz.htm

Teens are the most fragile members of our society, i think, and young teens most of all. They have no real stake in our society, no real power to change things, and no one pays them much attention.

#2 Eating disprders in teens. Anorexia/bulimia kill lots of teenage kids, mostly girls, every year. It's gotten to epidemic proportions, though we don't hear much about it, do we? Teenagers, especially teenaged girls, are disposable in our society.

http://www.pale-reflections.com/
http://www.something-fishy.org/default.php


Those would be my issues.

 

[lavender]

 

[SweetCherry]

Main one that's very near and meaningful to me. Retinitis Pigmentosa. Then again, seeing as how it's the condition I have, that might make a diference.

 

[Cheyenne]

Diabetes would be high on my list. Yes, that would be because a relative has the disease and I can see the effects on his life. Also, because of all the things I may be at risk of developing myself, this has got to be near the top.

In general, I support various charities who are trying to find cures and/or educate the public. Helping any one of them just a little more would be fine with me. The Cancer Society, Heart Association, American Lung, MS society, etc. All are good charities. Throw in the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest, several religious organizations/funds, United Way, Humane Society, our local zoo, etc. and you have an idea of my funding targets each year. I'm fortunate to be able to set aside a portion of my income each year to be donated to these various groups. One of my favorite Thanksgiving weekend activities each year in November is sitting down to review where my charitable dollars have gone during the year. Then I write checks for any favorite groups I may have missed.

Small donations by a large number of people do make a difference to the world when aggregated.

 

[Renegade]

I don't like to see anyone suffer, but it IS sad when a celebrity has to go through the problem before it gets any coverage, that says how sad this world can be.

Definatly agree with you right there. Although it's good when a disease finally becomes better known to the public, it's pretty sad when certain news media won't really cover it till a celeb is hit. That's not always the case, but I've seen if often enough.

Cancer's pretty much at the top of my list. Nobody close to me has had it before, but I've read up on different forms of cancer and what it has done. So far I've yet to do anything about it, however, I do plan to donate money once I'm able to get a steady job. A real cure to this disease is something that I would love to see happen in my lifetime.

 

[Barb Dwyer]

Maybe I am just not comprehending the original question/premise of this thread, but I don't understand why it seems like a 'someday' scenario. Or 'if I could make a difference, then I would"? When? Why not now? I agree with DA, I already do make a difference.

I started getting involved in charitable activities as a teenager. I volunteered to go door to door to solicit donations for various organizations such as American Cancer Society, Heart Disease and March of Dimes. At the time I didn't know of anyone who had any of those diseases, but I just picked them as worthy of my time.

I also volunteered as a candy-striper at a hospital-really not any sort of major accomplishment to dole out magazines or deliver flowers to patients. Still, I figured it saved time on the nurses. Plus the uniform was cute!

For a few years I assisted at-risk children with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and also the Literacy Project. Both worthwhile and well-run organizations.

Then I found a great organization. For the last 10 years I have been given many assignments to read to those with limited vision or blindness. I read books, magazines, newspapers etc. I help them with their personal correspondence and bill paying. It does give me a great deal of satisfaction knowing that I really have helped someone. I can see the fruits of my labor right in front of me. It is so much more rewarding than writing a check and wondering if it ever reaches its target or is swallowed up by administrative costs. An additional benefit is that I have become friends with most of these people. They have become part of my extended family. Where it may have started out as me providing a service to someone in need, it has grown to become a mutual admiration society.

I read mostly to those in nursing homes or retirement communities. They hear all about my trials and tribulations and they also enjoy sharing stories of their childhood with me.

So, I am already trying to make a difference now. I am sure new causes and concerns will present themselves to me in the future. I don't do it for recognition. I do it because it makes me feel good. And as corny as it sounds, it makes me feel like I am contributing something to the world instead of just taking up space and oxygen!

I really do believe that I get more out of it than the recipients!

/end soapbox!

 

[Mindy2]

Yeah, I agree with what others are saying about why wait. Pick out one or two or three areas that are important to you for whatever reason and then support them to the extent you can... little bucks or big bucks... what ever.

For me, it's Make-A-Wish Foundation, American Cancer Society, and a local animal shelter.

 

[d_arthur]

wow lavy...i didn't know you were interrested in the GLBT youth thing. I guess you learn something new everyday.

i would have to say i'd like to work with sexually abused children/teens probably 'cause i've seen those situations handled so poorly in the past. i get frustrated at the victim mentality that many try to instill in those who've experienced sexual abuse.

sure anyone who's been a victim of sexual abuse will be forever changed, however that person does not have to live each day of their life dwelling on that particular experience. many individuals seem to think that sexual abuse is such a earth shattering experience that no person experiencing such a tragedy could ever expect to live a normal life. its this kind of victim mentality which reinforces that the victim has done something wrong. mishandling (or not handling) someone who had been sexually abused can be almost as detremental as the abuse itself.

so yeah my answer is helpign sexually abused children/teens...
whew...alright i'll step off the soapbox now

 

[Cheyenne]

I can see the fruits of my labor right in front of me. It is so much more rewarding than writing a check and wondering if it ever reaches its target or is swallowed up by administrative costs.

For you, not for all.

Some people have more time than money. Others have more money than time. Both types are needed for charitable work to have any effect in the long run.

By the way, you don't have to wonder about those administrative costs. Charities file reports so that, with a little bit of effort, you can look up the percentage of your gifts that are spent to cover administrative costs. It doesn't have to be a guessing game.

 

[TN_Vixen]

There are Two Causes

that I would support.

1. Psoraisis. A friend of mine recently told of his struggles with this disease and I had minimal knowledge about how debilitating it is, physically and emotionally. Since there is no cure for this disease, I would encourage higher visibility of the illness itself and funding for research.

2. Stroke victims. My mother had a brain stem stroke last year. Brain stem strokes are one of the most damaging kind of strokes you could have because it affects speech, motor coordination, vision, even the ability to swallow. Most brain stem strokes occur due to injuries to the area (base of the neck). Many victims are young and must live the rest of their life coping with the effects. After reading voluminous material on this type of stroke, I learned that some people have a brain stem stroke after waterskiing, riding a rollercoaster, or having any kind of blunt trauma to the back of the head. My poor son who already thinks I'm overprotective, now thinks I've lost my ever-lovin' mind. ;-)

 

[willywanker]

Probably has to do with it being related to what I do for a living but I'm involved in a local group that is working on a "Habitat for Humanity" type project. Its starting with a four-plex being built mainly with donated time for families in emergency situation.

We have shelter for single men and women, homes for teens and children but there is very little help for whole families that fall thru the cracks. While staying temporarily in these unit while they get back on their feet, familes will also recieve training on money management and be put in touch with agencies that can help them.