Most of us have seen "Full Metal Jacket," as its a classic movie, that best shows what the United States Marine Corps is all about. Yet what makes this movie what it is, is that Ermey, is a drill instructor that played the part as Gunnery Sgt. Hartman. A lot of what he says is negative, and not meant for "public consumption", but he does have some important messages about life, and also Vivint's Give Back Project, with regards to FAST.(Foundation For Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics) While I will not repeat some of his sayings, some of which cause belly fulls of laughter during his instruction to the "amphibious pieces of garbage" that he calls recruits that join his beloved Corps, I will say that he'd be right with regards to the recent efforts on the Vivint Project.
Right now, FAST is not in first place. As Gunnery Sgt. Hartman would say "This is unacceptable!!! For FAST to be in second place shows that we are not working hard enough. You will not like me because I am hard, but I am fair. The more you do not like me, the more you will learn." Well, like Ermey, I'm going to "tell it like it is now", because while I have no grudges against the other fine charities, it is simply inexcusable for us to be in second place. Second place is for losers, as first place is the only acceptable place to be, and also by a large margin. I have forgotten to vote a couple of times, and as we are all not perfect, it is time that we kick to the next level until this contest is over, because nothing short of FAST getting first place should be considered a victory.
I cannot rewind the clock, as the night of November 4th, 2009, my son Tommy, age five, died of an Angelman Syndrome related seizure. There has been a "great sadness" that was aptly described in the book "The Shack". Also, there has been guilt, self pity, and also a lack of regard for others, that led to anger so great that I wish no one will ever have to go through this angst. Even with that being said, each day even if it has pain, is a blessing, and it would be a joy to see FAST get the funding from Vivint, because I do NOT WANT any other Angelman parent to go through this type of tragedy. I am comforted that Tommy is with God, but not until a cure is found for Angelman Sydnrome and its seizures, shall I rest until my last breath upon this Earth.
The other charities represented are excellent, but FAST deserves to win this contest, for one reason alone. They have found a way to work with an all volunteer staff, to partner up with the medical community, to work on a cure for Angelman Syndrome. Their funding has led to a mouse being given Angelman Syndrome, and cured of it. You say, "so what, a mouse?" Do you realize how close a mouse is to human beings on a DNA level, and with future trials on other animals and humans, this is the natural progression of how cures are discovered. One chromosome, 15, is affected with Angelman Syndrome. In turn, one enzyme in the brain is the problem. While by no means simple, FAST must win this Vivint Contest, because our angels deserve the best, and nothing short of that.
You know how we shall win this? By voting everyday, by encouraging folks whom we know, now is not the time to be bashful or too proud. We are not asking for money, we are not knocking on doors like those door to door salesman that we want to release the hounds to. Instead, we are locked in a battle, which is as George Patton called "fear holding on one second longer." Right now, FAST is in second place on the Vivint Gives Back Project. Send private messages on Facebook, rally around with your church communities, as people love to be involved with good causes that don't require a checkbook, but rather the click of a button. By doing this, they are adding votes to a organization that so rightfully deserves it, and complacency is the mother of all buttwhippers when it comes to winning.
Ermey would expect nothing less. He would say that we need to be "Change Machines" if that movie was done, in such a way to promote FAST in the Vivint Project. Its time to put on your war faces, go out there, get family, friends, neighbors, dogs, whomever has a facebook account, to vote for FAST every day. It does not matter if you get carpal tunnel syndrome from these few keystrokes, it must get done, and right here, right now. Every battle in life that is worthy of a cause, is not easy, and this one is no exception. Yet we can do better, and in order to cross the finish line as victors by helping FAST get that cure, we must do everything in our power to "turn up the volume." It would be easy to rest on our laurels, but nothing good has ever come of that, and now is not the time. Let's go get em, and make FAST so far ahead in the lead, that one even considers catching up.
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