|
|
Dennis
Kennedy
"All rise, Judge Dennis Kennedy of the MDA lock-up court presiding.
You have been charged with having a great heart, too
much hoopla, and the most unique selection of cargo
pants this side of Puget Sound. You are guilty as charged.
You are hearby sentenced to one hour in MDA's
fine jail!" pronounces MDA judge Dennis Kennedy as he raps the gavel at
a MDA lock-up event. He's also been to Fill the Boot
fire stations to offer encouragement during preparations. He becomes involved because
"People are fascination." Interaction is circular with the possibility
of a surprising connection.
Interaction reveled throughout his youth in the 60s.
People donned Op Art, puka shells with a Gibson Flying
V guitar reverb while searching for meaning beyond
the surface. Soon he found himself
amidst uncertainty when he
became stationed in the U.S. Army at Thailand near
the Laotian border. But it turned out to be, "One of the best
experiences of my life. It was profound. Life changing." The Thais welcomed
him. Food spiced with chillies in bamboo homes balanced
on stilts. Diversification was stimulating.
After the army, he pursued his interest in communication. He
entered broadcast sales at his father's radio station
in Mojave, California. He also continued with broadcast sales later in Seattle. Next he switched
to real estate where he met more people as a loan officer
and a broker. But even more fulfilling was when he
became a Shoreline taxi driver. He met people
from Barrow, Alaska to Sydney, Australia who confided
their stories. It's like his adventures
when he would go parachuting.
Photo by Laurot at www.flickr.com
It's the exhilaration of
unfolding the unknown
to open a new perspective.
Opening platitudes led him to the French Immersion School of Washington where he conversed with fourth graders
that nobody's perfect. Everyone needs help. It is just in different capacities. Some people need help with ALS, Dennis
Kennedy's disease which weakens voluntary muscles. Others need help with seeing their name, hearing a fire truck
siren, steering a Schwinn Aerostar, etc.
Although Dennis was diagnosed with ALS, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis,
four years ago, aspects of the disease are new. At MDA
support group meetings, he explores creative endeavors to maximize capabilities.
The
meetings,
which center on occupational therapy, are comprised
of care givers, clients, and physicians, who recently
discussed the onset of neuromuscular diseases.
After meetings, home life boons. He and a friend, his caregiver, share afternoons with their menagerie.
There's dogs Ivan, Fluffy, and Benji; Sailor the Macaw; Pouncer the cat; a rat;
Spike the cat; chickens; and a rooster on almost an acre of ground in Boulevard Park. Diversity plus.
|
|
Purchase Wristbands
|
Donate