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Re: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

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Thank you Alana, I posted the petition at my own group

{independent living} and asked my members to support it.

I was treated like shit by Jerry when I met him when I was

seven years old.

My sister and I were chosen as 'poster girls' for the opening and

dedication of a Childrens Hospital Boston MDA clinic in 1977. Jerry

showed up, acted like Krusty the Klown, kept smoking a

cigarette during the photo shoot, then ran away refusing to give us

the time of day or even an autograph. He bitched and griped during

the photo shoot on how he didn't want to put an arm around us, or sit

down next to us. He'd only barely touch the very end of our

wheelchair handle bars {on the back rests} at full arm span for the

photos and then turned his back to us after the picture was taken.

Not even a hand shake or a polite introduction.

We were kids who idolized this guy. We were crushed but at least it

was a learning experience for us to not put human beings up on any

saintly pedestals.

In 1991 I did interviews while leafleting for Jerry's Orphans at

telethon venues. A reporter lied to me about his paper and I ended

up being the cover story of the National Inquirer that brought on

harassment towards me from Jerry devotee fans for years.

>

> I know not everyone here will agree with the following post, but I

ask

> that those of you who do agree, please sign the petition and spread

> the word.

>

> In Solidarity,

> Alana

>

>

> Goto:

>

> http://www.petitiononline.com/jlno2009/petition.html

>

> The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

>

> This petition has been launched to object to the Academy of Motion

> Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement that it will give Jerry

> its Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Awards ceremony on

> February 22, 2009.

>

> During his decades of hosting the Labor Day Telethon, Jerry

has

> helped to perpetuate negative, stereotypical attitudes toward people

> with muscular dystrophy and other disabilities. Jerry and the

> Telethon actively promote pity as a fundraising strategy. Disabled

> people want RESPECT and RIGHTS, not pity and charity.

>

> In 1990, wrote that if he had muscular dystrophy and had to

use

> a wheelchair, he would " just have to learn to try to be good at

being

> a half a person. " During the 1992 Telethon, he said that people with

> MD, whom he always insists on calling " my kids, " " cannot go into the

> workplace. There's nothing they can do. " Comments like these have

led

> disability activists and our allies to protest against Jerry .

> We've argued that he uses the Telethon to promote pity, a

> counterproductive emotion which undermines our social equality.

Here's

> how responded to the Telethon protesters during a 2001

> television interview: " Pity? You don't want to be pitied because

> you're a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house! "

>

> Jerry has also made derogatory comments about women and gay

men.

> His outdated attitudes and crude remarks are dehumanizing, not

> humanitarian.

>

> Therefore, we the undersigned support the actions and arguments of

the

> coalition group The Trouble with Jerry. We protest the Academy's

> characterization of Jerry as a " humanitarian. " And we ask that

> the Academy cancel its plans to give the Hersholt Humanitarian

> Award.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> The Undersigned

>

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To me, this humanitarian award for Jerry is more of a joke

than an insult toward anyone or any group. I mean, really… it's

Jerry , folks! No one really believes he has ever done

anything beyond self promotion and trying to keep himself in the

spot light. He's no different than any other celebrity. The fact

that his only remaining outlet for fame is the MDA telethon shows

how far his star has fallen. So, he grasps tightly onto his MDA gig

because otherwise he would drift into obscurity like so many other

washed up celebrities. I see this humanitarian award the same as

the ridiculous Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame… if you pay enough

money to the right people you get one! It's not a real honor

conferred by some genuine authority.

I don't think anyone should take this so seriously. Only in the

Bizarre-o world of celebrity does this award have any meaning, and

that is just for two seconds.

Just my two cents,

>

> I know not everyone here will agree with the following post, but I

ask

> that those of you who do agree, please sign the petition and spread

> the word.

>

> In Solidarity,

> Alana

>

>

> Goto:

>

> http://www.petitiononline.com/jlno2009/petition.html

>

> The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

>

> This petition has been launched to object to the Academy of Motion

> Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement that it will give Jerry

> its Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Awards ceremony

on

> February 22, 2009.

>

> During his decades of hosting the Labor Day Telethon, Jerry

has

> helped to perpetuate negative, stereotypical attitudes toward

people

> with muscular dystrophy and other disabilities. Jerry and the

> Telethon actively promote pity as a fundraising strategy. Disabled

> people want RESPECT and RIGHTS, not pity and charity.

>

> In 1990, wrote that if he had muscular dystrophy and had to

use

> a wheelchair, he would " just have to learn to try to be good at

being

> a half a person. " During the 1992 Telethon, he said that people

with

> MD, whom he always insists on calling " my kids, " " cannot go into

the

> workplace. There's nothing they can do. " Comments like these have

led

> disability activists and our allies to protest against Jerry .

> We've argued that he uses the Telethon to promote pity, a

> counterproductive emotion which undermines our social equality.

Here's

> how responded to the Telethon protesters during a 2001

> television interview: " Pity? You don't want to be pitied because

> you're a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house! "

>

> Jerry has also made derogatory comments about women and gay

men.

> His outdated attitudes and crude remarks are dehumanizing, not

> humanitarian.

>

> Therefore, we the undersigned support the actions and arguments of

the

> coalition group The Trouble with Jerry. We protest the Academy's

> characterization of Jerry as a " humanitarian. " And we ask

that

> the Academy cancel its plans to give the Hersholt

Humanitarian

> Award.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> The Undersigned

>

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I saw that! Thank you to those of you who have signed so far. It may

seem pointless to some, but to others of us at the very least it's a

show of solidarity that validates many of our experiences of

humiliation and discrimination. If it's only that, it's good, though,

I believe it's more than that. It make people think about what true

benevolence is. It's important for us to say that it's not okay to

give us a gift with a pretty bow in front of the cameras and spit in

our faces when the " On Air " light goes dark.

>

> I'm signature number 88 on the petition

>

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My husband and I signed.

I can't stand Jerry and the way the telethon portrays people with any form

of MD.  Yes, it is horrible and yes, it kills.  However, they never focus on the

people with the diseases, jusy 'pity them.'  The state levels aren't much

better.  I was Colorado state poster child for several years and it really

opens a 6-year-olds eyes when your backstage at a telethon.  They made me stay

on location 1/2 the night so the audience could see how weak and tired I was as

inspiration to call.  At one point they were interviewing a couple where the man

had ALS.  They were pregnant with their 3rd child and the interviewer was asking

questions about how hard it had been since the husband had been 'struck with the

devestating disease.'  The MDA staff were back stage going off about how that

couple needed to stop having children since the government would have to support

them once he was dead.

 

Milinovich, SMA Type I

Wife to , Mommy to - 21 Months Old!

http://www.myspace.com/kindrana 

http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w107/boramir/?start=0

 

________________________________

From: Alana <alrt@...>

Sent: Friday, January 9, 2009 4:23:29 PM

Subject: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

I know not everyone here will agree with the following post, but I ask

that those of you who do agree, please sign the petition and spread

the word.

In Solidarity,

Alana

Goto:

http://www.petition online.com/ jlno2009/ petition. html

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

This petition has been launched to object to the Academy of Motion

Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement that it will give Jerry

its Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Awards ceremony on

February 22, 2009.

During his decades of hosting the Labor Day Telethon, Jerry has

helped to perpetuate negative, stereotypical attitudes toward people

with muscular dystrophy and other disabilities. Jerry and the

Telethon actively promote pity as a fundraising strategy. Disabled

people want RESPECT and RIGHTS, not pity and charity.

In 1990, wrote that if he had muscular dystrophy and had to use

a wheelchair, he would " just have to learn to try to be good at being

a half a person. " During the 1992 Telethon, he said that people with

MD, whom he always insists on calling " my kids, " " cannot go into the

workplace. There's nothing they can do. " Comments like these have led

disability activists and our allies to protest against Jerry .

We've argued that he uses the Telethon to promote pity, a

counterproductive emotion which undermines our social equality. Here's

how responded to the Telethon protesters during a 2001

television interview: " Pity? You don't want to be pitied because

you're a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house! "

Jerry has also made derogatory comments about women and gay men.

His outdated attitudes and crude remarks are dehumanizing, not

humanitarian.

Therefore, we the undersigned support the actions and arguments of the

coalition group The Trouble with Jerry. We protest the Academy's

characterization of Jerry as a " humanitarian. " And we ask that

the Academy cancel its plans to give the Hersholt Humanitarian

Award.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

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You were number 88 five hours ago? I just signed number 246. Awesome. :)

I'm signature number 88 on the petition

Re: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

I'm signature number 88 on the petition

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Wow ,

My parents were shunned and dissed for having three kids with SMA

I was seven and crushed by my poster child experiences.

Some of these fund raiser telethon types are vultures and vampires on

the folks directly affected by the disability.It's like we're objects

to them.

Even today I have people at my own webgroup with md dissing me and

how dare I - blahblahblah- over posting support and the link to this

petition.

People are free to disagree but personally attacking me at my own

site {not here at this group} is a bit much to me.

>

> My husband and I signed.

>

> I can't stand Jerry and the way the telethon portrays people

with any form of MD.  Yes, it is horrible and yes, it kills. 

However, they never focus on the people with the diseases, jusy 'pity

them.'  The state levels aren't much better.  I was Colorado state

poster child for several years and it really opens a 6-year-olds

eyes when your backstage at a telethon.  They made me stay on

location 1/2 the night so the audience could see how weak and tired I

was as inspiration to call.  At one point they were interviewing a

couple where the man had ALS.  They were pregnant with their 3rd

child and the interviewer was asking questions about how hard it had

been since the husband had been 'struck with the devestating

disease.'  The MDA staff were back stage going off about how that

couple needed to stop having children since the government would have

to support them once he was dead.

>  

> Milinovich, SMA Type I

> Wife to , Mommy to - 21 Months Old!

> http://www.myspace.com/kindrana 

> http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w107/boramir/?start=0

>  

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: Alana <alrt@...>

>

> Sent: Friday, January 9, 2009 4:23:29 PM

> Subject: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

>

>

> I know not everyone here will agree with the following post, but I

ask

> that those of you who do agree, please sign the petition and spread

> the word.

>

> In Solidarity,

> Alana

>

> Goto:

>

> http://www.petition online.com/ jlno2009/ petition. html

>

> The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

>

> This petition has been launched to object to the Academy of Motion

> Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement that it will give Jerry

> its Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Awards ceremony on

> February 22, 2009.

>

> During his decades of hosting the Labor Day Telethon, Jerry

has

> helped to perpetuate negative, stereotypical attitudes toward people

> with muscular dystrophy and other disabilities. Jerry and the

> Telethon actively promote pity as a fundraising strategy. Disabled

> people want RESPECT and RIGHTS, not pity and charity.

>

> In 1990, wrote that if he had muscular dystrophy and had to

use

> a wheelchair, he would " just have to learn to try to be good at

being

> a half a person. " During the 1992 Telethon, he said that people with

> MD, whom he always insists on calling " my kids, " " cannot go into the

> workplace. There's nothing they can do. " Comments like these have

led

> disability activists and our allies to protest against Jerry .

> We've argued that he uses the Telethon to promote pity, a

> counterproductive emotion which undermines our social equality.

Here's

> how responded to the Telethon protesters during a 2001

> television interview: " Pity? You don't want to be pitied because

> you're a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house! "

>

> Jerry has also made derogatory comments about women and gay

men.

> His outdated attitudes and crude remarks are dehumanizing, not

> humanitarian.

>

> Therefore, we the undersigned support the actions and arguments of

the

> coalition group The Trouble with Jerry. We protest the Academy's

> characterization of Jerry as a " humanitarian. " And we ask

that

> the Academy cancel its plans to give the Hersholt Humanitarian

> Award.

>

> Sincerely,

>

> The Undersigned

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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i just signed at 413!

can we make it 500 by the end of the weekend?!?

cheers

linda

2009/1/10 Amy <charmedcripchic@...>

> Wow ,

>

> My parents were shunned and dissed for having three kids with SMA

>

> I was seven and crushed by my poster child experiences.

>

> Some of these fund raiser telethon types are vultures and vampires on

> the folks directly affected by the disability.It's like we're objects

> to them.

>

> Even today I have people at my own webgroup with md dissing me and

> how dare I - blahblahblah- over posting support and the link to this

> petition.

>

> People are free to disagree but personally attacking me at my own

> site {not here at this group} is a bit much to me.

>

>

>

> >

> > My husband and I signed.

> >

> > I can't stand Jerry and the way the telethon portrays people

> with any form of MD. Yes, it is horrible and yes, it kills.

> However, they never focus on the people with the diseases, jusy 'pity

> them.' The state levels aren't much better. I was Colorado state

> poster child for several years and it really opens a 6-year-olds

> eyes when your backstage at a telethon. They made me stay on

> location 1/2 the night so the audience could see how weak and tired I

> was as inspiration to call. At one point they were interviewing a

> couple where the man had ALS. They were pregnant with their 3rd

> child and the interviewer was asking questions about how hard it had

> been since the husband had been 'struck with the devestating

> disease.' The MDA staff were back stage going off about how that

> couple needed to stop having children since the government would have

> to support them once he was dead.

> >

> > Milinovich, SMA Type I

> > Wife to , Mommy to - 21 Months Old!

> > http://www.myspace.com/kindrana

> > http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w107/boramir/?start=0

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: Alana <alrt@...>

>

> > <%40>

> > Sent: Friday, January 9, 2009 4:23:29 PM

> > Subject: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

>

> >

> >

> > I know not everyone here will agree with the following post, but I

> ask

> > that those of you who do agree, please sign the petition and spread

> > the word.

> >

> > In Solidarity,

> > Alana

> >

> > Goto:

> >

> > http://www.petition online.com/ jlno2009/ petition. html

> >

> > The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

> >

> > This petition has been launched to object to the Academy of Motion

> > Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement that it will give Jerry

>

> > its Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Awards ceremony on

> > February 22, 2009.

> >

> > During his decades of hosting the Labor Day Telethon, Jerry

> has

> > helped to perpetuate negative, stereotypical attitudes toward people

> > with muscular dystrophy and other disabilities. Jerry and the

> > Telethon actively promote pity as a fundraising strategy. Disabled

> > people want RESPECT and RIGHTS, not pity and charity.

> >

> > In 1990, wrote that if he had muscular dystrophy and had to

> use

> > a wheelchair, he would " just have to learn to try to be good at

> being

> > a half a person. " During the 1992 Telethon, he said that people with

> > MD, whom he always insists on calling " my kids, " " cannot go into the

> > workplace. There's nothing they can do. " Comments like these have

> led

> > disability activists and our allies to protest against Jerry .

> > We've argued that he uses the Telethon to promote pity, a

> > counterproductive emotion which undermines our social equality.

> Here's

> > how responded to the Telethon protesters during a 2001

> > television interview: " Pity? You don't want to be pitied because

> > you're a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house! "

> >

> > Jerry has also made derogatory comments about women and gay

> men.

> > His outdated attitudes and crude remarks are dehumanizing, not

> > humanitarian.

> >

> > Therefore, we the undersigned support the actions and arguments of

> the

> > coalition group The Trouble with Jerry. We protest the Academy's

> > characterization of Jerry as a " humanitarian. " And we ask

> that

> > the Academy cancel its plans to give the Hersholt Humanitarian

> > Award.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > The Undersigned

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

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This is great! I'm going to contact Hershey. While I know

there will most likely be a demonstration outside the awards event,

most of us can't get there. It would be great to get the Academy to

change their minds before the event. I don't think a petition will

be enough, but strategic media attention and a personal letter-

writing campaign to the right people at the Academy could help. I'll

ask her what's already planned. I wish Harriet McBryde were

still here. She'd be furious at the Academy.

Funny, Chuck's partly messing with me but also doesn't fully agree

with me about signing the petition. He argues that the money Jerry

raised enabled me to go to camp where I met many independent

advocate crip friends from whom I learned to live independently.

There's also the MDA clinics that provided orthodic and mobility

equipment and connected us with other MD families. It's such a mixed

bag...I was humiliated by medical students, ogled by perverts

(seriously), and condescended to by charity volunteers. I spent

hundreds of hours over years being a guinea pig for the cause until I

told my mother that I wasn't benefiting from the quarterly clinic

displays of my underwear-clad body and gradual weakening, and that I

also no longer felt good about the pity-party fundraising that

required my cameo appearances throughout the year and culminated on a

Labor Day weekend of eating crappy donated fast food from Mc's

and a bunch of people treating me like I was a dying toddler and

trying to tie balloons to my wheelchair.

It's definitely a mixed bag, but then I see the work done by FSMA and

how they do fundraising without humiliating me, and I am glad that I

and so many of my friends and family have signed the petition. I

probably won't make Chuck sleep on the couch. ;-)

Alana

>

> i just signed at 413!

>

> can we make it 500 by the end of the weekend?!?

>

> cheers

> linda

>

>

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On my own group I posted how Jerry isn't the one personally

delivering or paying for all of MDA services.

It's not an all or nothing thing. We don't need to 'give back' our

equipment because we don't like how Jerry represents us.

Not liking Jerry's behavior isn't an ingrateful diss at MDA.

> >

> > i just signed at 413!

> >

> > can we make it 500 by the end of the weekend?!?

> >

> > cheers

> > linda

> >

> >

>

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Confessions of a Poster Girl

The things done to poster kids by MDA fund raising need some serious

improvements.

My sister and I were local and alternate poster girls and we'd get

expected to sit out side in below zero wind chills, soaking wet in

the rain, get stuffed into the side cars of motorcycles, {like Amber

with the car show bubble mobile in the original Hairspray movie} be

hauled up a ladder to ride in a single tiny fighter jet plane, sit in

90 degree black top pavement for 12 hours with no food or drinks, up

in our wheelchairs for over twenty hours during deafening dance

marathons at colleges,. I got put out on a lake in an open boat

while a thunderstorm was coming in, literally flung around a whiffle

ball game at camp, left sweltering in a body cast for hours for

a 'money shot', expected to let my long hair get chopped off for an

MDA cutathon photo.

Any unreal event to raise money we were obliged to be put through what

Most child actors have laws against these days.

The below zero windchill funraiser was one my Dad put his foot down

on. The MDA employee in charge wasn't getting it that my health

shouldn't be put in danger for money. " But Twinky The Kid's already

booked! You have to be there! " .

Sorry Twinkie.

>

>

> >

> > My husband and I signed.

> >

> > I can't stand Jerry and the way the telethon portrays

people

> with any form of MD.  Yes, it is horrible and yes, it kills. 

> However, they never focus on the people with the diseases,

jusy 'pity

> them.'  The state levels aren't much better.  I was Colorado state

> poster child for several years and it really opens a 6-year-olds

> eyes when your backstage at a telethon.  They made me stay on

> location 1/2 the night so the audience could see how weak and tired

I

> was as inspiration to call.  At one point they were interviewing a

> couple where the man had ALS.  They were pregnant with their 3rd

> child and the interviewer was asking questions about how hard it

had

> been since the husband had been 'struck with the devestating

> disease.'  The MDA staff were back stage going off about how that

> couple needed to stop having children since the government would

have

> to support them once he was dead.

> >  

> > Milinovich, SMA Type I

> > Wife to , Mommy to - 21 Months Old!

> > http://www.myspace.com/kindrana 

> > http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w107/boramir/?start=0

> >  

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: Alana <alrt@>

> >

> > Sent: Friday, January 9, 2009 4:23:29 PM

> > Subject: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for

Jerry

>

> >

> >

> > I know not everyone here will agree with the following post, but

I

> ask

> > that those of you who do agree, please sign the petition and

spread

> > the word.

> >

> > In Solidarity,

> > Alana

> >

> > Goto:

> >

> > http://www.petition online.com/ jlno2009/ petition. html

> >

> > The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

> >

> > This petition has been launched to object to the Academy of Motion

> > Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement that it will give Jerry

>

> > its Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Awards ceremony

on

> > February 22, 2009.

> >

> > During his decades of hosting the Labor Day Telethon, Jerry

> has

> > helped to perpetuate negative, stereotypical attitudes toward

people

> > with muscular dystrophy and other disabilities. Jerry and

the

> > Telethon actively promote pity as a fundraising strategy. Disabled

> > people want RESPECT and RIGHTS, not pity and charity.

> >

> > In 1990, wrote that if he had muscular dystrophy and had to

> use

> > a wheelchair, he would " just have to learn to try to be good at

> being

> > a half a person. " During the 1992 Telethon, he said that people

with

> > MD, whom he always insists on calling " my kids, " " cannot go into

the

> > workplace. There's nothing they can do. " Comments like these have

> led

> > disability activists and our allies to protest against Jerry

.

> > We've argued that he uses the Telethon to promote pity, a

> > counterproductive emotion which undermines our social equality.

> Here's

> > how responded to the Telethon protesters during a 2001

> > television interview: " Pity? You don't want to be pitied because

> > you're a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house! "

> >

> > Jerry has also made derogatory comments about women and gay

> men.

> > His outdated attitudes and crude remarks are dehumanizing, not

> > humanitarian.

> >

> > Therefore, we the undersigned support the actions and arguments

of

> the

> > coalition group The Trouble with Jerry. We protest the Academy's

> > characterization of Jerry as a " humanitarian. " And we ask

> that

> > the Academy cancel its plans to give the Hersholt

Humanitarian

> > Award.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > The Undersigned

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

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Not surprisingly, I have a couple of thoughts about this...

 

Perhaps J.L. is a jerk but this jerk was instrumental in helping MDA grow to

what it is today. What other non-profit organization provides the services

(clinics, camp, and support groups) and funding (for wheelchairs, braces, etc.)

that MDA does? United Cerebral Palsy? No. Spina Bifida Association? No. ...and

so on and so on. There are none that compare with MDA. I would find it

hypocritical for anyone to have received any services from MDA to sign the that

petition. As for the torment and lifelong emotional scars you suffered from

being a poster child, maybe you should sign a petition against your parents who

allowed those horrors to occurs.

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That's too bad. When I was pc Jerry treated me like a little princess. He didn't

like when his staff would interupt him when he was talking to " his kids. "

We did all sorts of fun things and met all kinds of people. of course i was

young, but i don't remember any bad times at all. it kind of felt like i was

famous for a little time.

I don't know everything about the man of course nor have i seen exceedinly

terrible plays on people's pity, but i am pretty sure if they showed a bunch of

us working and making a living no one would feel any reason to give to the cause

and help those who really need equipment or surgery, etc. I mean  the truth is

the disease does kill and we need research. I don't think it's all about

pity....but life with any form of MD can be sad in some ways and why not let

people know there are struggles? When i had no insurance and decided i needed to

go back to the clinic as an adult because i was having some issues and hadn't

been to a  doc who knew anything about sma in years, they were sooo kind to me,

took care of payments for everything i needed at the time and were eager to see

if they could help in whatever way-it really surprised me and it was rather

nice.

 

I never went to camp as I was rather shy, but I've heard tons of stories of

people who have made life-long friends by going there. i'm sure some couldn't

have afforded to go without the help provided from money donated through those

telethons.

 

oh we used to work the telethons too and that was really fun.

 

i guess that's my confession lol

From: Amy <charmedcripchic@...>

Subject: Re: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 4:44 PM

Confessions of a Poster Girl

The things done to poster kids by MDA fund raising need some serious

improvements.

My sister and I were local and alternate poster girls and we'd get

expected to sit out side in below zero wind chills, soaking wet in

the rain, get stuffed into the side cars of motorcycles, {like Amber

with the car show bubble mobile in the original Hairspray movie} be

hauled up a ladder to ride in a single tiny fighter jet plane, sit in

90 degree black top pavement for 12 hours with no food or drinks, up

in our wheelchairs for over twenty hours during deafening dance

marathons at colleges,.  I got put out on a lake in an open boat

while a thunderstorm was coming in, literally flung around a whiffle

ball game at camp, left sweltering in a body cast for hours for

a 'money shot', expected to let my long hair get chopped off for an

MDA cutathon photo. 

Any unreal event to raise money we were obliged to be put through what

Most child actors have laws against these days.

The below zero windchill funraiser was one my Dad put his foot down

on. The MDA employee in charge wasn't getting it that my health

shouldn't be put in danger for money.  " But Twinky The Kid's already

booked!  You have to be there! " .

Sorry Twinkie.

>

>

> >

> > My husband and I signed.

> >

> > I can't stand Jerry and the way the telethon portrays

people

> with any form of MD.  Yes, it is horrible and yes, it kills. 

> However, they never focus on the people with the diseases,

jusy 'pity

> them.'  The state levels aren't much better.  I was Colorado state

> poster child for several years and it really opens a 6-year-olds

> eyes when your backstage at a telethon.  They made me stay on

> location 1/2 the night so the audience could see how weak and tired

I

> was as inspiration to call.  At one point they were interviewing a

> couple where the man had ALS.  They were pregnant with their 3rd

> child and the interviewer was asking questions about how hard it

had

> been since the husband had been 'struck with the devestating

> disease.'  The MDA staff were back stage going off about how that

> couple needed to stop having children since the government would

have

> to support them once he was dead.

> >  

> > Milinovich, SMA Type I

> > Wife to , Mommy to - 21 Months Old!

> > http://www.myspace.com/kindrana 

> > http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w107/boramir/?start=0

> >  

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: Alana <alrt@>

> >

> > Sent: Friday, January 9, 2009 4:23:29 PM

> > Subject: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for

Jerry

>

> >

> >

> > I know not everyone here will agree with the following post, but

I

> ask

> > that those of you who do agree, please sign the petition and

spread

> > the word.

> >

> > In Solidarity,

> > Alana

> >

> > Goto:

> >

> > http://www.petition online.com/ jlno2009/ petition. html

> >

> > The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

> >

> > This petition has been launched to object to the Academy of Motion

> > Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement that it will give Jerry

>

> > its Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Awards ceremony

on

> > February 22, 2009.

> >

> > During his decades of hosting the Labor Day Telethon, Jerry

> has

> > helped to perpetuate negative, stereotypical attitudes toward

people

> > with muscular dystrophy and other disabilities. Jerry and

the

> > Telethon actively promote pity as a fundraising strategy. Disabled

> > people want RESPECT and RIGHTS, not pity and charity.

> >

> > In 1990, wrote that if he had muscular dystrophy and had to

> use

> > a wheelchair, he would " just have to learn to try to be good at

> being

> > a half a person. " During the 1992 Telethon, he said that people

with

> > MD, whom he always insists on calling " my kids, " " cannot go into

the

> > workplace. There's nothing they can do. " Comments like these have

> led

> > disability activists and our allies to protest against Jerry

.

> > We've argued that he uses the Telethon to promote pity, a

> > counterproductive emotion which undermines our social equality.

> Here's

> > how responded to the Telethon protesters during a 2001

> > television interview: " Pity? You don't want to be pitied because

> > you're a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house! "

> >

> > Jerry has also made derogatory comments about women and gay

> men.

> > His outdated attitudes and crude remarks are dehumanizing, not

> > humanitarian.

> >

> > Therefore, we the undersigned support the actions and arguments

of

> the

> > coalition group The Trouble with Jerry. We protest the Academy's

> > characterization of Jerry as a " humanitarian. " And we ask

> that

> > the Academy cancel its plans to give the Hersholt

Humanitarian

> > Award.

> >

> > Sincerely,

> >

> > The Undersigned

> >

> > 

> >

> >

> >       

> >

> >

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Lori-you are awesome. we were writing at the same time!

I love what you wrote!

From: Lori G <lorig713@...>

Subject: Re: Re: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 6:25 PM

Not surprisingly, I have a couple of thoughts about this...

 

Perhaps J.L. is a jerk but this jerk was instrumental in helping MDA grow to

what it is today. What other non-profit organization provides the services

(clinics, camp, and support groups) and funding (for wheelchairs, braces, etc.)

that MDA does? United Cerebral Palsy? No. Spina Bifida Association? No. ...and

so on and so on. There are none that compare with MDA. I would find it

hypocritical for anyone to have received any services from MDA to sign the that

petition. As for the torment and lifelong emotional scars you suffered from

being a poster child, maybe you should sign a petition against your parents who

allowed those horrors to occurs.

     

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i do get the point at how big the MDA is, and viewing from england, as a

child it was such a stark contrast to the publicity etc MD got over here.

there was no public recognition of MD. trying to make sense of it at the

time i rationalised that neuromuscular conditions must be rife in america.

however i did also cringe even as a child when i saw some of tv

coverage.(aka pity party) And i totally disagree that is is hypocritical to

complain about aspects of an organisation even if you benefit from its

existence. i often complain or point out failings of the National Health

Service here. Ii have also complained to centres for independent living

that i have used if i feel they are not acting in the broadest best interest

of disabled people.

cheers

linda

2009/1/11 Joy <j0yeuxx@...>

> Lori-you are awesome. we were writing at the same time!

> I love what you wrote!

>

>

>

> From: Lori G <lorig713@... <lorig713%40>>

> Subject: Re: Re: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

>

> <%40>

> Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 6:25 PM

>

>

> Not surprisingly, I have a couple of thoughts about this...

>

> Perhaps J.L. is a jerk but this jerk was instrumental in helping MDA grow

> to what it is today. What other non-profit organization provides the

> services (clinics, camp, and support groups) and funding (for wheelchairs,

> braces, etc.) that MDA does? United Cerebral Palsy? No. Spina Bifida

> Association? No. ...and so on and so on. There are none that compare with

> MDA. I would find it hypocritical for anyone to have received any services

> from MDA to sign the that petition. As for the torment and lifelong

> emotional scars you suffered from being a poster child, maybe you should

> sign a petition against your parents who allowed those horrors to occurs.

>

>

>

>

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What took you so long L??? Hahah! ;-)

Love,

N

On 1/10/09 8:25 PM, " Lori G " <lorig713@...> wrote:

>

>

>

> Not surprisingly, I have a couple of thoughts about this...

>  

> Perhaps J.L. is a jerk but this jerk was instrumental in helping MDA grow to

> what it is today. What other non-profit organization provides the services

> (clinics, camp, and support groups) and funding (for wheelchairs, braces,

> etc.) that MDA does? United Cerebral Palsy? No. Spina Bifida Association? No.

> ...and so on and so on. There are none that compare with MDA. I would find it

> hypocritical for anyone to have received any services from MDA to sign the

> that petition. As for the torment and lifelong emotional scars you suffered

> from being a poster child, maybe you should sign a petition against your

> parents who allowed those horrors to occurs.

>

>

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There's a great idea- NOT!

Our parents were doing the best they could, during a different time,

and in a world with few resources availible for any families dealing

with the complex medical needs of our nuero muscular disabilities.

To say our parents should be held responsible for the bad behavior of

Jerry or any other bad behaving adult in MDA fund raising, is

an abusive deflecting blame game onto the true victims.

Shame on you in your tower above and beyond us folks in the real

trenches of equal rights and quality of life issues for individuals

with disabilities.

>

> Not surprisingly, I have a couple of thoughts about this...

>  

> Perhaps J.L. is a jerk but this jerk was instrumental in helping

MDA grow to what it is today. What other non-profit organization

provides the services (clinics, camp, and support groups) and funding

(for wheelchairs, braces, etc.) that MDA does? United Cerebral Palsy?

No. Spina Bifida Association? No. ...and so on and so on. There are

none that compare with MDA. I would find it hypocritical for anyone

to have received any services from MDA to sign the that petition. As

for the torment and lifelong emotional scars you suffered from being

a poster child, maybe you should sign a petition against your parents

who allowed those horrors to occurs.

>

>

>

>

>

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I wrote an article against the telethon tactics once and got a personal

letter from Ross that literally said, ³Shame on you!² it was quite

amazing!

On 1/11/09 1:52 AM, " Amy " <charmedcripchic@...> wrote:

>

>

>

>

> There's a great idea- NOT!

>

> Our parents were doing the best they could, during a different time,

> and in a world with few resources availible for any families dealing

> with the complex medical needs of our nuero muscular disabilities.

>

> To say our parents should be held responsible for the bad behavior of

> Jerry or any other bad behaving adult in MDA fund raising, is

> an abusive deflecting blame game onto the true victims.

>

> Shame on you in your tower above and beyond us folks in the real

> trenches of equal rights and quality of life issues for individuals

> with disabilities.

>

>

>> >

>> > Not surprisingly, I have a couple of thoughts about this...

>> >  

>> > Perhaps J.L. is a jerk but this jerk was instrumental in helping

> MDA grow to what it is today. What other non-profit organization

> provides the services (clinics, camp, and support groups) and funding

> (for wheelchairs, braces, etc.) that MDA does? United Cerebral Palsy?

> No. Spina Bifida Association? No. ...and so on and so on. There are

> none that compare with MDA. I would find it hypocritical for anyone

> to have received any services from MDA to sign the that petition. As

> for the torment and lifelong emotional scars you suffered from being

> a poster child, maybe you should sign a petition against your parents

> who allowed those horrors to occurs.

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

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Joy,

I had fun experiences too, but it dosen't excuse or erase the other

exploitive or harmful things done to my friends, siblings, and I, in

the name of an organization that targets the same disabilties that we

happen to have in common.

I find sharing support, and validating the life journey realities of

our fellow people with disabilities, much more satisfying than any

token attention deigned onto me by a celebrity who makes a career out

insulting people and behaving innapropriately on camera and/or in

person.

Below are things we all need to ask ourselves while seperating the

good things MDA and SMA true supporters do, and the image of one

celebrity's routines played out year after year on stage.

Did Jerry ever attend your school open houses and assemblies?

Did he hold your hand during medical treatments, brace fittings,

blood gases, xrays, eeg and ekg tests?

Did he bring your parents coffee while you were hospitalized?

Did he babysit any siblings while your parents dealt with your

medical needs?

Did he personally pay for and/or directly administer clinics,

wheelchair fittings, flu vacines, physical therapy, accessible

transportion to clinics?

Take you horseback riding or swimming at camp?

Get you accessible sports equipment?

Etc.

I'm happy for those who have had truly good experiences with Jerry

.

In other situations, I question if people's memories of Jerry

are based on truly supportive deeds from Jerry himself?

Or are people so devoted to an outdated image that they have to keep

moving as fast as theyy can to keep stockholm syndrome survival

coping mechanisms and myths alive?

> > >

> > > My husband and I signed.

> > >

> > > I can't stand Jerry and the way the telethon portrays

> people

> > with any form of MD.  Yes, it is horrible and yes, it kills. 

> > However, they never focus on the people with the diseases,

> jusy 'pity

> > them.'  The state levels aren't much better.  I was Colorado

state

> > poster child for several years and it really opens a 6-year-olds

> > eyes when your backstage at a telethon.  They made me stay on

> > location 1/2 the night so the audience could see how weak and

tired

> I

> > was as inspiration to call.  At one point they were interviewing

a

> > couple where the man had ALS.  They were pregnant with their 3rd

> > child and the interviewer was asking questions about how hard it

> had

> > been since the husband had been 'struck with the devestating

> > disease.'  The MDA staff were back stage going off about how that

> > couple needed to stop having children since the government would

> have

> > to support them once he was dead.

> > >  

> > > Milinovich, SMA Type I

> > > Wife to , Mommy to - 21 Months Old!

> > > http://www.myspace.com/kindrana 

> > > http://s174.photobucket.com/albums/w107/boramir/?start=0

> > >  

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ________________________________

> > > From: Alana <alrt@>

> > >

> > > Sent: Friday, January 9, 2009 4:23:29 PM

> > > Subject: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for

> Jerry

> >

> > >

> > >

> > > I know not everyone here will agree with the following post,

but

> I

> > ask

> > > that those of you who do agree, please sign the petition and

> spread

> > > the word.

> > >

> > > In Solidarity,

> > > Alana

> > >

> > > Goto:

> > >

> > > http://www.petition online.com/ jlno2009/ petition. html

> > >

> > > The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

> > >

> > > This petition has been launched to object to the Academy of

Motion

> > > Picture Arts and Sciences' announcement that it will give Jerry

> >

> > > its Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Awards

ceremony

> on

> > > February 22, 2009.

> > >

> > > During his decades of hosting the Labor Day Telethon, Jerry

> > has

> > > helped to perpetuate negative, stereotypical attitudes toward

> people

> > > with muscular dystrophy and other disabilities. Jerry and

> the

> > > Telethon actively promote pity as a fundraising strategy.

Disabled

> > > people want RESPECT and RIGHTS, not pity and charity.

> > >

> > > In 1990, wrote that if he had muscular dystrophy and had

to

> > use

> > > a wheelchair, he would " just have to learn to try to be good at

> > being

> > > a half a person. " During the 1992 Telethon, he said that people

> with

> > > MD, whom he always insists on calling " my kids, " " cannot go

into

> the

> > > workplace. There's nothing they can do. " Comments like these

have

> > led

> > > disability activists and our allies to protest against Jerry

> .

> > > We've argued that he uses the Telethon to promote pity, a

> > > counterproductive emotion which undermines our social equality.

> > Here's

> > > how responded to the Telethon protesters during a 2001

> > > television interview: " Pity? You don't want to be pitied because

> > > you're a cripple in a wheelchair? Stay in your house! "

> > >

> > > Jerry has also made derogatory comments about women and

gay

> > men.

> > > His outdated attitudes and crude remarks are dehumanizing, not

> > > humanitarian.

> > >

> > > Therefore, we the undersigned support the actions and arguments

> of

> > the

> > > coalition group The Trouble with Jerry. We protest the Academy's

> > > characterization of Jerry as a " humanitarian. " And we

ask

> > that

> > > the Academy cancel its plans to give the Hersholt

> Humanitarian

> > > Award.

> > >

> > > Sincerely,

> > >

> > > The Undersigned

> > >

> > > 

> > >

> > >

> > >       

> > >

> > >

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My question is this: Are you absolutely certain that these " so-called "

comments that Jerry made were actually, in fact, his. Were they taken out

of

context? Has anyone actually heard him say these things? I'm just curious.

It's difficult for me to believe that he's the " monster " that some people make

him out to be.

Manning

**************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making

headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)

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http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=yRIsnHJ-YqY just had a very quick look and

found this one where about two thirds through reference is made to when he

suggested something along the lines that if disabled people want to avoid

pity they should stay in their homes.

i am sure others will have better examples

cheers

linda

2009/1/11 <Aunt617@...>

> My question is this: Are you absolutely certain that these " so-called "

> comments that Jerry made were actually, in fact, his. Were they taken

> out of

> context? Has anyone actually heard him say these things? I'm just curious.

> It's difficult for me to believe that he's the " monster " that some people

> make

> him out to be.

>

> Manning

>

> **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making

> headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)

>

>

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Thank you for the laugh.

Love too,

L

________________________________

From: <nicoleroberts@...>

" " < >

Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 10:26:03 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

What took you so long L??? Hahah! ;-)

Love,

N

On 1/10/09 8:25 PM, " Lori G " <lorig713 (DOT) com> wrote:

>

>

>

> Not surprisingly, I have a couple of thoughts about this...

>  

> Perhaps J.L. is a jerk but this jerk was instrumental in helping MDA grow to

> what it is today. What other non-profit organization provides the services

> (clinics, camp, and support groups) and funding (for wheelchairs, braces,

> etc.) that MDA does? United Cerebral Palsy? No. Spina Bifida Association? No.

> ...and so on and so on. There are none that compare with MDA. I would find it

> hypocritical for anyone to have received any services from MDA to sign the

> that petition. As for the torment and lifelong emotional scars you suffered

> from being a poster child, maybe you should sign a petition against your

> parents who allowed those horrors to occurs.

>

>

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Thank you!  I knew it would not be received well overall but the best thing

about our group is that all opinions  are welcome.

L

________________________________

From: Joy <j0yeuxx@...>

Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 8:39:47 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

Lori-you are awesome. we were writing at the same time!

I love what you wrote!

From: Lori G <lorig713 (DOT) com>

Subject: Re: Re: Petition: Cancel Humanitarian Award for Jerry

@gro ups.com

Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 6:25 PM

Not surprisingly, I have a couple of thoughts about this...

 

Perhaps J.L. is a jerk but this jerk was instrumental in helping MDA grow to

what it is today. What other non-profit organization provides the services

(clinics, camp, and support groups) and funding (for wheelchairs, braces, etc.)

that MDA does? United Cerebral Palsy? No. Spina Bifida Association? No. ...and

so on and so on. There are none that compare with MDA. I would find it

hypocritical for anyone to have received any services from MDA to sign the that

petition. As for the torment and lifelong emotional scars you suffered from

being a poster child, maybe you should sign a petition against your parents who

allowed those horrors to occurs.

     

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