comme il faut

The mandatory disclaimer: this is my opinion, I don’t want to create drama, etc etc. Sasy Scarbourough has her reasons to start organizing this fundraiser; Rose Farina has her own very strong reasons to not support it. Both are my friends and I respect them. These are my own reasons, and unless Sasy decides, for whatever reason, to end the fundraiser, I’m sticking with it till it ends.

First, when you have a fundraiser event like this, more than raising money, you’re raising awareness. I’m pretty sure a lot of the newest residents, and maybe some veterans, have never heard of Wheelies before. I’ve heard about them long ago when I first joined SL, and then totally forgot about it until now. I’m pretty sure this is the first contact with them for many people.

One great thing about most SL fundraisers and charities is that the money raising part is made mostly by selling goodies, namely fashion goodies. That way, people are getting a direct benefit for their generosity, and they’re associating the act of donating with feeling good and looking good. I hope that makes sense, you know english is not my first language. One thing I believe is that giving is not about the receiver. It’s about the donor. You’re doing a good thing mostly for yourself. This may sound too egocentric, and maybe it is. When I give, I give not because I feel ‘pity’ for someone - I hate this word. I give for the feeling of being useful. I give because sharing feels good, and somehow it seems to multiply the good things we receive. When I give, I am grateful for the privilege of being part of the receiver’s world; this makes my own personal world much bigger and more complete.

One last thing, and this is probably a very unpopular opinion. I may be shooting myself in the foot by admitting that, but I’m too honest for my own good. The truth is that being generous is good business practice. This may sound materialistic, and maybe it is (I’m a capricorn, bear with me:)). If I were doing giving for charity’s sake, I’d do it anonimously. In my personal life, I don’t want to be treated differently because I give. Giving or not doesn’t make me any better than anyone. But having your name associated with charities is a very good publicity, and that’s the only reason I put my name out and about.

That’s it. I don’t think they’re entitled free money just because they’re on a wheelchair; more space to the club is a perk that they may not have money to spare on, and I’m helping for the same reason I’d help the kids in my neighboorhood to buy soccer uniforms for their team. What I think they do need is publicity, awareness. More people with disabilities need to know there’s a place where they won’t be treated differently because they’re on a wheelchair; and more “normal” people need to know disabled people are just like us.

That’s why I’m in.