Jerry Lewis, MDA Chairman from 1952 - 2011; End of MDA Telethons as We Know Them

On August 3-4, 2011, controversy grew around Jerry Lewis's retirement from MDA as National Chairman and Labor Day Telethon Host in 2012.

During Jerry's term as chairman (1952 - 2011), billions of dollars were raised for research, allowing MDA to be less dependent on government funding than other disease research entities in America had been. In addition, several types of neuromuscular diseases and conditions became treatable and curable through the results of telethon research dollars.

MDA made no excuses for quick, rashly announced program cutbacks, including the MDA Telethon and it's host, who had been credited with being the Number One Celebrity to Influence Others in the world (see list below). Beginning 9/4/2011, the MDA Telethon became a 6-hour entertainment show. 6:00 PM to Midnight, live on the East Coast from Las Vegas. MDA stated that too many TV stations affiliates had dropped the annual telethon, the entertainment acts were no longer good, and they (MDA) were taking immediate action.

However, some event or action caused this ludicrous set of changes just 30 days before what was to have been Jerry's last MDA Telethon. What was that action or event? We may never know, but we can see a large organization ousting a Senior Citizen of much worth just a year after the world lost Ed McMahon, the other respected Senior of the show. MDA would not be a fraction as successful without the money that Jerry Lewis brought them through a lifetime of dedication. We may never know what happened.

Now, we will likely never know Jerry's secret personal reason - the one he always threatened to tell - for supporting MDA all these 59 years. How many of us will continue to support MDA now, in the face of their rash actions?

Although I had not been near a TV Set on Labor Day for a decade as of 2008, I used to watch the traditional Muscular Dystrophy Association's annual Labor Day telethon for many years. I resumed watching in 2009, but many poeople have seen it ever since the first official event held at Carnegie Hall in 1955. Previous to that, there was a series of MDA TV Specials since 1952, but the telethon was not the iconic official LABOR DAY TELETHON until 1966. Broadcast over just one station in NYC in 1966, it brought in over $1,000,000 even then, during the early Viet Nam War.

Broadcast in some form since the 1950s, this event has raised $2.5 Billion research and treatments for neuromuscular diseases that include muscular dystrophy.

MDA has not relied solely on government grants that may not offer enough funding for adequate research and that may also restrict the organization overly much with governmental oversight delays. The MDA Telethon has brought successful treatment, longer and more productive lives. and hope to 1000s of patients and their families.

I will never forget one Telethon in particular in which an adult male sat center stage in a wheelchair. His body folded down onto itself in a way suggestive of a Japanese fan. However, his singing in a professional sounding, strong voice was moving. His song was Some People Call me Chameleon - "Some people call me chameleon, they say I change from face to face..." His wife and he had just become parents biologically to twins, likely via artificial insemination. He was a dad.

People with muscular dystrophy are as capable as anyone else in many ways. Stephen Hawking is in his 60s, has a neuromuscular disease, is still brilliant, and is contributing to the new horizon in physics and now-privatized aerospace travel.

The Labor Day Tradition of the MDA Telethon is an important part of the cultural skyline of America. Despite some opinions against Jerry Lewis for his outspoken calling out of some institutions, I think he has done a profoundly good for since 1952, when he and Dean Martin hosted the first show for MDA. As of 2008, he has yet received no pay for the work he does for MDA - over 55 years of long hours and effort. How many people would do it? As of August 2011, MDA turned its collective back on him.

Jerry Lewis is one reason that I teach martial arts free of charge to at- risk youth, laid off workers, many people with physical conditions, and others that cannot afford the expensive lessons elsewhere, along with physical therapy. I work with neuromuscular retraining in some of classes where we have helped youth and adults to avoid surgeries and to discard some of their wheelchairs.

I have only be doing this for 26 years (2008), about half the time that Jerry Lewis has worked for MDA and the people it serves. I hope to be half as successful when I have donated another 26 years.

Where does Jerry Lewis stand in human service? --

Nationwide Insurance Survey - Top 10 Most Influential Celebrities:

(Americans were surveyed throughout the country in 2008)

1. Jerry Lewis
2. Oprah Winfrey
3. Michael J. Fox
4. Former President Jimmy Carter
5. Bill Gates
6. Angelina Jolie
7. U2's Bono
8. Lance Armstrong
9. Katie Couric
10. Rosie O'Donnell

These are some of my favorite recipes for Labor Day, or for any other picnic or cookout I have during the summers in America. The recipes include BBQ Catfish, Grilled Lime Corn, a delicious Tomato and Pasta Salad, Chicken BBQ and Homemade Fudgecicles. many of the recipes are a healthy version as well. The Orange and Almond Rice is delicious and an organic style recipe.

The Hub includes a video presentation of the history of the Holiday we call Labor Day and for which we enjoy a long weekend away from work over the first Monday in September each year.

In addition, some film is presented by the US National Archives from an exhibit they call The Way We Worked, set to the music of Ray Charles' rendition of That Lucky Old Sun Just Rolls Along.

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 6 Catfish about a pound weight each
• 1/8 tsp Paprika
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Pepper
• 2 T Sugar
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 C White Wine Vinegar
• 1/4 C Tomato Catsup - Apple or Peach Butter makes a very tasty variation
• 1/2 C Olive Oil

Instructions

If not already done at the fish market, clean, skin and fillet your catfish.

• Combine all of your remaining ingredients in a large bowl and stir.
• Baste each of your carfish with the BBQ Sauce you just made in the bowl.
• Put your catfish in a hinged fish basket that has been sprayerd with BBQ grill cooking spray.
• Put catfish in basket on the grill about 3 inches from coals.

Cook catfish for about 7 minutes on each side, until meat flakes easily. Don't overcook, and baste with the BBQ Sauce often during grilling.

Serve 4 - double the recipe for 8.

EASY INGREDIENTS

• 1 Cup mayonnaise or a substitute with lo fat, lo calories
• 2 limes for juice
• Salt to tase
• Cayenne pepper
• 4 ears of corn
• 1 stick butter or margarine, melted

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat a gas/electric or countertop grill to medium-high or start the coals outside.
• Combine mayonnaise and lime juice in a small bowl.
• Season the sauce with with salt and cayenne pepper, to taste. Save half of this in anotehr dish for the table.
• Brush each ear of corn lightly with the half of the sauce your're using for the grill.
• Grill the corn until golden brown, turning often & brushing with butter on each turn.
• Once the corn is done, brush with the reamining sauce and serve.

Serves 4 to 6

INGREDIENTS

• 12 plum tomatoes or about 1.5 - 2 pounds total
• 2 Cus of fresh basil leaves
• 2 Ounces finely crumbled blue cheese
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons white-wine or red-wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pound medium-sized pasta

INSTRUCTIONS

• Wash the tomatoes and pat dry.
• Quarter the tomatoes and place in a mixing bowl.
• Toss the tomatoes with the basil leaves, blue cheese, oil, and vinegar and then season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Refrigerate to marinate 45 minutes or overnight.
• At serving time, cook the pasta according to package; drain and add to a mixing bowl while warm.
• Add tomato salad and toss.
• Let rest at room temperature 15 minutes.

Serves 6 - 8

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Tbl. organic butter
• 2 Cups organic orange juice
• 1 Cup spring water
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 1/2 cups raw long-grain rice, especially brown rice
• 1/2 cup sliced, blanched almonds
• ¼ cup chopped parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a large pot, place butter, orange juice, water, salt, and rice.
• Bring the mixture to the boil, stirring a few times.
• Next, reduce the heat to low-medium and cover.
• Cook without removing the lid, for 35-45 or until liquid is absorbed and rice is fluffy. Begin checking at 35 minutes, but do not stir.
• Stir almonds and parsley into your rice.

Makes 8 Popsicle sized confections with a popsicle freezer tray, or 4 individual dessert cup servings.

EASY INGREDIENTS

• 1 Small Box of sugar-free instant pudding mix - use chocolate, chocolate mint, or your favorite flavor.
• 2 Cups Soy Milk or Skim Milk
• 4 Tablespoons baking cocoa, powdered

INSTRUCTIONS

• Take out a popsicle freezer tray, or use indidivual serving cups or even a couple of clean ice cube trays.
• Mix all of the ingredients together and pour the pudding into whatever serving containers you will use.
• Freeze several hours or overnight.

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