Valicious

I recently discovered that Overclock.net donates $100/month to a disease-related charity, and I thought I'd suggest one.

A lot of people of Muscular Dystrophy Association , but not as many have a real idea of the true extent of what they do. Not only do they perform extensive research on many nueromuscular disorders, but MDA also provides numerous forms of assistance to individuals including leg braces, wheelchairs, ramps, and even sending kids to their summer camp.

Over the years MDA has helped me in more ways than I can recall. Of course there is the ongoing research that they do (Charcot Marie Tooth, what affects me, is just one of the diseases they research), but they have provided me with leg braces, a new wheelchair ramp when mine got stolen, and even sent me to summer camp for many many years in a row.

When MDA Summer Camp's website says "The best week of the year", they aren't exaggerating one bit. I saw so many kids smiling during the 8+ years I went there, the kind of smiles and sheer joy that you just don't see other places. MDA Camp is a place that, for me at least, physical challenges seem to almost cease to exist and, even if for just one week, that experience is irreplaceable.
Some of my experiences at camp were bittersweet in a way. I mentioned that I would see more happiness on kids' faces during that week than I'd see during the entire rest of the year, though some faces I didn't see the next year or the year after that. I made a friend at camp during one of my first years there, and we looked forward to and enjoyed seeing each other each year. After a couple years, I stopped seeing him at camp. I thought he just didn't make it that year but, when I didn't see him the next year either, I finally asked and found out he had Duchenne's. It's the nature of some types of Muscular Dystrophy to severely limit a person's lifespan, and I'm so grateful that I was able to see him as happy as he was while I knew him.
One of the aspects I particularily like about MDA is that they focus on both the long- and short-term. While doing research for a cure is essential towards eventual progress, many people need for more immediate help. MDA sees those needs, but also the need for medical advancement, and strives to fulfill both.


I typically refrain from mentioning online that that I have CMT or am in a wheelchair, but the prospect of $100/month being donated to a charity that has helped me so much over the years is much more important than any personal reservations that I might have.

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wirehead

I am deeply touched by your post and would like the charity for this month to go to this organization. Thanks for sharing... Take care

MAD_J

Agreed, sounds like a great organization.

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jtypin

Please keep bumping this so the Admin may stumble upon it.

Quite a touching tale, I had no clue that you were in any way like that Val, your posts always seem full of fun! :<

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How does one figure out how to become a better person.

savagebunny

Bump for everyone else too read.

Good luck Val on your quest of fulfilling your dreams.

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Valicious

I try to keep it that way, no use getting down about stuff you can't immediately change right?
MDA is incredible. The amount of help and support they give to people who have it far worse than I is simply staggering.

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Slightly Crazed Member of the OCN Homebrewers Club
My huge F@H sale! 9800GX2s, Power Supplies, RAM
Guide to F@H Latest Edition of FRAGS

Protezione

I have some extended family members who are affected by this every day. It would be awesome to see OCN help out MDA :>

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jtypin

If I recall right we had a kid at my camp where I volunteered for ~4 years,

It was run by the YMCA of great Boston, if anyone knows it, it's called Northwoods. Anyways we had a kid there who had gotten a scholarship to go there (It costed about 2000$USD for 1 month!) and he came with leg braces and all that, but he was happy as a clam relaxing on the lake and going to the shooting range. He was also very good at all that he did.

He came for about 4-5 years and every year he got just a bit worse, second year he was not as happy and moved a bit slower, year 3 he had a wheel chair, fourth year and my final year he did not want to do anything but sit in his cabin and read, I was getting just a tad worried. 5th and final year I was there he was not. He had gone for all those years and knew almost everyone and hell before he was in his chair he climbed the rock wall in under a minute (I did it in 1.14 seconds.)

Poor kid I never found out what happened to him, everything I heard is that he had a failed surgery which I hope is only rumor He was quite the epic archer to, 9 out of 10 times he would bulls-eye it.

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How does one figure out how to become a better person.

Knoxis

Bump for excellent cause!

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New Zealand Overclock.net Club

Drackula2000

I fully support donating to this cause. Val also good luck to you!

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