DECA's Show of Strength for MDA

2012-09-02

When was the last time you were truly moved to make a difference? Think about a time you had so much desire, passion and drive to make a difference that you couldn’t help but tell everyone you meet about your cause.

When I had the opportunity to participate in the taping of the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Show of Strength, formerly known as the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, I had this feeling come over me. It is an experience that is truly rare, and even though I was just a small part of this massive production, I knew my participation had made a difference.

The feeling is like the time when you engage your chapter in an activity, but the impact of the final results of your efforts hasn’t really hit home. You don’t necessarily experience the power behind your support for the final recipient. This was my exact experience for the past three years with regards to my involvement in community service projects for DECA. Each year I had a leadership role in our chapter’s project for MDA. I was always trying to do my best to help MDA, but I never truly knew how my actions affected those families supported by MDA. Then I had the opportunity to meet with the people I was impacting and hear their story. As we learn in marketing, there is nothing more powerful than a story. The stories I heard from these kids, teenagers, sisters and fathers whose lives have been impacted by neuromuscular diseases truly made me understand the difference we make as DECA members. With almost 200,000 members we have the manpower, skillset and hearts to give back to those who most need it.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association helps anyone from infants to the elderly, as well as those who care for them and help them deal on a daily basis with their life-altering neuromuscular diseases. For myself, the most moving part of working with MDA is seeing how different these peoples lives are because of these diseases and how they continue to live each day to the fullest and be thankful for all they do have.

I can’t help but be overcome with excitement and drive when it comes to a project that has the opportunity to have such a life-changing affect on so many people. That project is called The Movement; it is a student-driven effort to make an impact for MDA. Watch out for more information to come and sign up your chapter to do a project with MDA this year. Join the excitement, the journey, hear the stories, and support DECA on www.ourmvmt.com as we Make a Muscle for MDA!

Morgan Thompson, National President