I want to start off saying that I am pretty sure you are all aware of the various ways I have used my talent to help support good causes. When I am not directly involved if there is something I feel passionate about I always go out of my way to spread the word about it, volunteer my time or help out in anyway I can. I donate something out of my closet every time I buy myself something new. I have done breast cancer walks and other things to raise money in memory of my Mom. I gave back to Mayo Clinic and asked others to do the same after they gave me the answers I suffered years for. I use countless hours of my time on the computer answering questions and emails sent to me from others suffering from digestive motility disorders. I do what I can when I can. I have always been a giving person. It just comes naturally to me. I don’t do it to impress anyone. I do it because I know what it’s like and I want to help. I have been on the other end of the spectrum asking for help (via GoFundMe) due to my own medical setbacks. There were times the donations were all we had to live off of. You also know how incredibly appreciative I have been for the help that I have received and have expressed it countless times. This is not in any way shape or form a way to pat myself on the back. It is to give you a better understanding of who I am as you read this.
And so I begin my rant…….
People……….STOP these video challenges! Bringing awareness is one thing but doing something just because everyone else is doing it is not helping anyone but yourselves. In actuality it’s not even helping you. All it is doing is showing the world that when the band wagon comes through your town you will hop on board the minute it passes through! All so you can say “look at me.. I am cool too. I can throw water and ice and pies on my head just like everyone else and because of that I helped someone”. Think about that people. What really did you do that was so great? What person suffering is really going to live a happier day of their existence because you decided to throw shit on yourself and video tape it? Then you say.. “But my video raised awareness right?” No it didn’t. Unless you are a millionaire celebrity looking for the next publicity stunt and can donate tons of money on top of looking like a fool. In case you don’t get it, that leaves you only with the “looking like a fool” part. Especially those of you doing the video to get out of donating. Well, that is unless you are trying to raise money for selfishness. Then you’re golden!
Money isn’t everything to people suffering with these conditions either. If you can’t afford to donate you can do other things to help those who are struggling. “But I know someone with that disorder or disease and I did my video for them!” You know what you could be doing for them? Spending time with them instead of wasting it making stupid pointless videos. If you can’t because you live too far away, then go out of your way to do something extra nice for them. Send them flowers, a text, a phone call. Put a smile on a suffering face! If you insist on video taping yourself then make a video telling them how much you care about them and how you are there for them through their struggle. That would mean more to someone then letting them watch you humiliate yourself. I can’t begin to express how much the ” I love you Aunt Nicole” videos I got from my goddaughter Ava got me through my own struggles! Brought me tears of joy. Or how about the the countless cards I received from people letting me know they were thinking of me. They didn’t have to have money in them. They had love and thoughtfulness in them. As I type this I am wrapped in a blanket one of my best friends brought me in the hospital to make me feel “more comfortable”. One of my other best friends made me a travel package of things for Frank and I to stay occupied when we had to travel out of town to see specialists at Mayo. Another close friend made me a get well care basket of things that would make me feel better. A co-worker stopped by during my recovery with bags of fuits and vegetables to make smoothies because I was on an all liquid diet. Or the people who dropped off groceries or pre-made dinners for Frank. Those are the things I will treasure forever. Don’t know someone that needs help? There are countless every day people on GoFundMe.com that put their pride to the side to ask for help! You can take a moment to donate to them, spread their page for them or even contact them to just tell them that you are thinking of them. Join an online medical forum and try to give back by giving advice to those who have similar medical conditions as you. You would be surprised what you might learn about yourself.
The point of my rant is this…..get off this video challenge trend and start thinking of ways you can make life better for someone else! You can either be the person who looks like they are doing something or be the person who actually is!
Stay Spooky and Supportive!
Living Dead Girl Nicole
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However it is also on my mind because my friend Trish is fighting the same battle my Mom did. Just like her she is fighting this at a young age while raising raising 2 beautiful children. She continues to be an inspiration to everyone with her positive “I’m gonna kick this cancer’s ass” attitude!
Living Dead Girl Nicole 