MDA Telethon 2009, Labor Day

Every year over the Labor Day holiday, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) holds an annual telethon. Although, many people dispute the effectiveness of the organization, MDA is responsible for doing an incredible amount of good for people severely disabled with a terminal illness known as Muscular Dystrophy.

Unfortunately, in recent years, many articles have surfaced questioning the cash flow of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The organization operates at a very high overhead and many people question just how much of the money goes to helping individuals with these life-changing diseases.

In fact, Muscular Dystrophy has over 40 different subtypes, each of which manifest in their own unique ways, and unfortunately many of which are fatal. As technology improves, more people with Muscular Dystrophy are living longer and healthier than ever before.

Technology has not yet brought us a cure; scientists say they are close every year but the years keep on ticking. I remember when I was only 14 the first news of mice being cured began to surface... this month I turn 29.

Living with muscular dystrophy is not an easy hand to have been dealt. Those years continually marched on in an unforgiving and cold kind of way. Yet, I sit here today, as living proof that just because you have a disease does not mean that it has you.

MDA sponsors many wonderful activities such as camps for the disabled but those things cost money. Does the majority of the money go to research for a cure?

I'm not sure.

I can tell you that many of our members have benefited from the MDA. They may not be the best organization in the world; they even turned me away after reaching the age of 18 because they could no longer provide me with services that would be useful.

Having said that, everyone with muscular dystrophy is touched by MDA one way or another, and I can honestly tell you that they could be the most corrupt organization in the world and it does not matter. The MDA has brought awareness of the disease and its impact on millions of people across the world.

Speaking as someone who is fighting to propel this nonprofit organization, just the fact that they make muscular dystrophy and headline for one day a year, is well worth what they do.

Please consider donating to the MDA not because I told you to, but because you care. You can donate anonymously, in your name, or even in ours. source>>>

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Teach Kids the significance of Labor Day

On Monday, September 7, our nation celebrates Labor Day--a holiday honoring all American workers, present and past. Typically spent around the grill with neighbors and friends, Labor Day has become the unofficial symbol of the end of summertime fun, as well as a last chance getaway for families with school-aged children.

Before heading out for a day of family fun, take a minute to let your kids know the significance of the holiday. According to the Department of Labor, the first Labor Day was celebrated in 1882 in New York. Over the next few years, more and more states celebrated this "workingman's holiday" and, in 1894, Congress passed an act, signed by then President Grover Cleveland, decreeing it a national holiday celebrated on the first Monday of each September. Although the holiday was originally associated with Labor Unions, it is now the celebration of all workers.

Although San Jose and other local banks, schools, post offices and the likes are closed on Labor Day, chances are that at some point during the day you'll encounter someone at work. Turn this into a teaching opportunity and talk to your kids about the person's job--what are they doing, why are they doing it, do you think they like their job, what we do without this type of worker, why do they need to be at work on a "holiday", etc. If you spend the day at home, take a minute to let your kids view the Bay Bridge construction project so that you have a fun discussion about American workers. source>>>

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Temporary replacement for Senator Kennedy a clear example disgusting Massachusetts Politics

THE DEBATE over amending the law so that the governor could immediately appoint a temporary replacement for Senator Edward Kennedy presents a clear example of why the Legislature and our current governor represent everything that's disgusting in Massachusetts politics today.

Are we going to change the rule again once the voters throw Governor Patrick out of office next election?

I'd like to hear this conversation between a Democratic state lawmaker and his son: "Well, it's like this. We have enough guys on our team so that we can change the rules any time we want. We're changing the rules now so that our team will have a tremendous advantage and it will be almost impossible for the other guy to win. I know it's not ethical or fair, and most voters would prefer we just have an election, but I'm a Massachusetts legislator, and that's how we do things.''

While the hypothetical young man may be very proud of his dad, I'd be ashamed to say he represents me. source>>>

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