Out of the box thinking like is how money is raised to put treatments through the FDA. I am sure that in everyone's life there are opportunities missed. This is the story of my opportunity found.
I went to my car to try and find something, anything, to get an autograph on. What did I find? The program for the Ehlers Danlos Learning Conference and a Sharpie marker! Then came the idea. If I could get their autographs on the program I could help raise money for research by auctioning it off.
I am not shy by any means. I had a mission. I was a SUPER ZEBRA STRONG ADVOCATE! Using my powers as an adult in a sea of tweens I made my way to the front - just shy of the stage they were going to be on. OK, it was loud but I was on a mission. I reached for the girl in the front row, handed her the program and marker and gave her instructions. If they came through and did quick signing hand them the program for autographs.
End of story for the moment, tweens are VERY loud when they scream! They didn't do any autographs and, in fact, spent about 5 minutes saying "Hi" and answering pre-elected questions and then left. I was as disappointed as the kids. I wanted to help. I wanted to raise money for our cause.
But being a SUPER ZEBRA STRONG ADVOCATE, and an adult in a sea of children, I used initiative and walked behind the barriers straight up to all the security. I asked, "What is the name of the woman that was announcing and did they know where she was". They politely answered my questions and I went on my journey for autographs. I couldn't find her, she disappeared right with Demi and Nick, but.... of course as I gave up and was leaving I seized another opportunity.
One of the morning DJ's from Washington DC's 99.5, Intern John, was there signing autographs! His station was a major sponsor of the show. I knew he would be there and most likely be back stage. I walked up to him, handed him the Ehlers Danlos program and said, "Ms. Lavato is an advocate of invisible illness. I am trying to raise money for research. I put my contact phone number on the back. If you have any chance could you have them autograph the front so we can auction it off".
Simple, clear and to the point. No long discussion or explanation. If not, it gives people time to say "no". He said he wasn't sure if he could, but would try. I couldn't ask for more than that.
I haven't heard anything back but at least I tried.
Out of the box thinking like that is how money is raised and how treatments are put through the FDA. I am sure that in everyone's life there are opportunities missed. Look in your life and see what you didn't see before. Do you have a relative in the industry. Do you have an employer that is looking for philanthropic tax deductions, are you going to a show that gives you a chance for autographs people pay good money for> Can you and your Spoonie friends find a consignment shop to give old cloths and household items to for the purpose of raising money? Can you tell every parent in your child's school to sign up on Amazon Smile and attach their no-cost to them donations to the Ehlers Danlos Society?
Regardless of the outcome, I had a ball trying.
Then went to sleep for 15 hours. I was ZEBRA STRONG!
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