September 17, 2013 – Zumba and Hopkins, Together for the First Time
OMGX2 (Oh my Google AGAIN!)
Today’s story was supposed to be called “Elephantine” and be about raising money for orphaned elephants – but this is going to get bumped by a day.
Earlier this day I was at a Laurentian University event – a volunteer information display for students. As far as student attendance goes, overall, it was a bust. I am not being unkind – it was the first of its kind, and I have ideas for the next time which I’ll submit.
But as far as all the food and drink we providers could consume AND (more importantly) a.f.a. getting to meet absolutely fantastic community volunteers and non-profit groups, it was bliss.
I was there representing the ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Society. (ALS is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.) The local volunteer group is just starting up and at this point we mostly want to raise awareness about this disease, since many ALS patients do not get diagnosed early on in the disease, and therefore don’t have access to government and ALS funded services.
I was struck by the number of fellow volunteers, and the odd number of students, who have a family member or close friend who is currently suffering with this dreadful disease or has died of it. Folks want to help, but are understandably frustrated by their lack of ability to make an appreciable difference – at least as far as a cure goes.
We hear the phrase, “Cancer can be beaten.” And indeed it can be radiated and chemo-ed, and with good fortune, it will be struck out. But ALS at this point in time, cannot be beaten. It is a death sentence – it could be 6 months, or 5 years, but it will kill you. I am sorry to say that.
It’s not that there isn’t amazing research being done. But thus far, there is nothing the common folk – you and me and ALS patients and family and friends – can grab onto as their personal ribbon of hope.
*****
What is encouraging to me though is that folks want to have fundraisers (that will also serve as awareness-raisers) in spite of this “no-worse-there-is-none” scenario*. And, as a recent graduate of Basic Zumba Instructor training, I’m excited to see it’s often in the form of a Zumbathon. (See page four of http://www.als.ca/sites/default/files/files/ALS%20Canada%202013%20Spring%20Newsletter%20-%20Web.pdf )
A terrifically hardworking mom/student/worker/volunteer (I don’t know how she is still standing) told me how her Dad is being gradually erased by this disease. She read the story I mentioned in the paragraph above and – working with her niece who is an experienced Zumba teacher – wants to have a fundraiser.
It gets better (sort of.) There is a gal I have just sent a facebook message to because I have been told she is a wonderful Zumba booster (and I need all the help I can get.) My Lord (and I mean that sincerely) – she has a dear family member with ALS and helps with the ALS Walk for Hope here in Suds. Yes!
*****
Not everyone I met today was focused on ALS and Zumba – there are so many ills and activities – but I was delighted by the dedication of the various organizations. The YMCA has “learn to swim” classes for the older aqua-challenged; Volunteer Sudbury would be interested in putting together a calendar of the upcoming events of non-profit groups; the MS Society has an affordable gym for all neuro-muscular challenged folks; and the Canadian Diabetes Society now lists vegan recipes (http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/recipes/indonesian-tofu-stew-with-spring-vegetables/)
You have to read the poem printed below to understand my next comment.
“Comforter, I feel comforted. Mary, I feel relieved.”
Today’s story was supposed to be called “Elephantine” and be about raising money for orphaned elephants – but this is going to get bumped by a day.
Earlier this day I was at a Laurentian University event – a volunteer information display for students. As far as student attendance goes, overall, it was a bust. I am not being unkind – it was the first of its kind, and I have ideas for the next time which I’ll submit.
But as far as all the food and drink we providers could consume AND (more importantly) a.f.a. getting to meet absolutely fantastic community volunteers and non-profit groups, it was bliss.
I was there representing the ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) Society. (ALS is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.) The local volunteer group is just starting up and at this point we mostly want to raise awareness about this disease, since many ALS patients do not get diagnosed early on in the disease, and therefore don’t have access to government and ALS funded services.
I was struck by the number of fellow volunteers, and the odd number of students, who have a family member or close friend who is currently suffering with this dreadful disease or has died of it. Folks want to help, but are understandably frustrated by their lack of ability to make an appreciable difference – at least as far as a cure goes.
We hear the phrase, “Cancer can be beaten.” And indeed it can be radiated and chemo-ed, and with good fortune, it will be struck out. But ALS at this point in time, cannot be beaten. It is a death sentence – it could be 6 months, or 5 years, but it will kill you. I am sorry to say that.
It’s not that there isn’t amazing research being done. But thus far, there is nothing the common folk – you and me and ALS patients and family and friends – can grab onto as their personal ribbon of hope.
*****
What is encouraging to me though is that folks want to have fundraisers (that will also serve as awareness-raisers) in spite of this “no-worse-there-is-none” scenario*. And, as a recent graduate of Basic Zumba Instructor training, I’m excited to see it’s often in the form of a Zumbathon. (See page four of http://www.als.ca/sites/default/files/files/ALS%20Canada%202013%20Spring%20Newsletter%20-%20Web.pdf )
A terrifically hardworking mom/student/worker/volunteer (I don’t know how she is still standing) told me how her Dad is being gradually erased by this disease. She read the story I mentioned in the paragraph above and – working with her niece who is an experienced Zumba teacher – wants to have a fundraiser.
It gets better (sort of.) There is a gal I have just sent a facebook message to because I have been told she is a wonderful Zumba booster (and I need all the help I can get.) My Lord (and I mean that sincerely) – she has a dear family member with ALS and helps with the ALS Walk for Hope here in Suds. Yes!
*****
Not everyone I met today was focused on ALS and Zumba – there are so many ills and activities – but I was delighted by the dedication of the various organizations. The YMCA has “learn to swim” classes for the older aqua-challenged; Volunteer Sudbury would be interested in putting together a calendar of the upcoming events of non-profit groups; the MS Society has an affordable gym for all neuro-muscular challenged folks; and the Canadian Diabetes Society now lists vegan recipes (http://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/recipes/indonesian-tofu-stew-with-spring-vegetables/)
You have to read the poem printed below to understand my next comment.
“Comforter, I feel comforted. Mary, I feel relieved.”
* http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173663
No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief.'
By Gerard Manley Hopkins
No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief,
More pangs will, schooled at forepangs, wilder wring.
Comforter, where, where is your comforting?
Mary, mother of us, where is your relief?
My cries heave, herds-long; huddle in a main, a chief
Woe, wórld-sorrow; on an áge-old anvil wince and sing --
Then lull, then leave off. Fury had shrieked 'No ling-
ering! Let me be fell: force I must be brief."'
O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall
Frightful, sheer, no-man-fathomed. Hold them cheap
May who ne'er hung there. Nor does long our small
Durance deal with that steep or deep. Here! creep,
Wretch, under a comfort serves in a whirlwind: all
Life death does end and each day dies with sleep.
(Note from Jan: If you didn’t memorize this in High School, I feel sorry for you… For me, it’s a welcome counter-balance to Psalm 23.)
No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief.'
By Gerard Manley Hopkins
No worst, there is none. Pitched past pitch of grief,
More pangs will, schooled at forepangs, wilder wring.
Comforter, where, where is your comforting?
Mary, mother of us, where is your relief?
My cries heave, herds-long; huddle in a main, a chief
Woe, wórld-sorrow; on an áge-old anvil wince and sing --
Then lull, then leave off. Fury had shrieked 'No ling-
ering! Let me be fell: force I must be brief."'
O the mind, mind has mountains; cliffs of fall
Frightful, sheer, no-man-fathomed. Hold them cheap
May who ne'er hung there. Nor does long our small
Durance deal with that steep or deep. Here! creep,
Wretch, under a comfort serves in a whirlwind: all
Life death does end and each day dies with sleep.
(Note from Jan: If you didn’t memorize this in High School, I feel sorry for you… For me, it’s a welcome counter-balance to Psalm 23.)