“Make your life spectacular.” – Robin Williams (from the movie Jack)
The lazy days of summer are upon us, and I have certainly been enjoying as much of them as possible. However, I’ve also been keeping myself busy, except for when it comes to updating all of you on what’s been going on.
Last week, a film crew was in town for several days chronicling my story and relationship with Melanie (my monkey). The documentary is intended to be used for promotional purposes commencing in October at the annual Helping Hands fundraiser. I will certainly share the video once it’s available, as I’m honored to do anything I can to help promote this wonderful, Boston-based organization.
Filming the short film was a lot of fun, although I was quite tuckered out by the end of each day. Part of the video highlights the various tasks Melanie is trained to help with, including some I had no idea she knew how to do. For instance, any time I say the word, “sun,” she looks for the nearest light switch in order to flip it on. The little stinker’s been holding out on me for quite some time relying on others to control the lights. She is definitely one smart animal!
I’m also been honored to be involved in a recent initiative launched by The Adversity 2 Advocacy Alliance, called Project Hope Exchange. Its aim is to build the world’s largest online collection of Messages of Hope—30-second audio messages of encouragement from adversity survivors to others facing adversities similar to their own.
As I can personally attest, there is no resource more essential than hope when it comes to confronting the challenges life throws at us. However, far too often, many of us feel completely overwhelmed and hopeless when it comes to facing seemingly daunting odds.
That’s where Project Hope Exchange comes in. By collecting, aggregating, and sharing messages of hope, they have the potential to be an incredible resource for people looking to get hope. Additionally, it is also a meaningful pathway to advocacy for people looking to give hope. Giving hope can sometimes be just as powerful as receiving it. (Please don’t hesitate to contact me or the fine folks at Project Hope Exchange. If you’d like to get involved.)
Hope is not something to be discounted. The recent and shocking news of Robin Williams’ passing is a sobering reminder of just how overwhelming life’s battles can get. Robin was a former board member of the Christopher Reeve Foundation and a tireless advocate for spinal cord injury research.
Below is a beautiful tribute, that is only one minute long, and worth watching, if only for the message it conveys:
Stand Strong!
Scott