DATE OF EVENT

So I’ve had a date in mind of when exactly the event (BALD LOVE) is going to happen when I shave my head. And I’ve decided that I’m going to let everyone know that date so we can get this thing on its way! The BALD LOVE event will be on December 10, 2010. (See the countdown on the top right of this page.) This is coming up soon! So whatever side you’re on, pro “go bald” or pro “save Liz’s hair”, be sure to let your opinion be known by donating! So far we have $105 towards me shaving my head, and a grand total of… $ZERO towards saving my hair. Hmm, maybe people are starting to see my side?

ROCK OUT!

I’d like to share a story about one of the music therapy classes I currently co-lead with my intern. The class is called iStrum – improvising, Songwriting together (yo)u and me. We do daily improvisation, using various instruments, as well as songwriting in different styles. One of our ongoing projects is writing a song inspired by Iron Maiden’s style of music. Heavy metal, really?! You might be surprised – the students have gotten really into this idea! Earlier this week, we worked on creating a melody for the lyrics students had written. We gave each student a chance to sing the lyrics with whatever melody came into their head. Once we got some melodies, we practiced singing it together. One of our students got so into this process that he got up out of his seat, went to the front of the class, and started singing at the top of his lungs! The fact that he has the confidence to do this in front of his peers is one of the unique things about our students that we see on a regular basis. It’s a great feeling to see that we’re giving our students an outlet to express themselves freely, in a safe setting where no one will judge them for simply being who they are. Quite the opposite, in fact, they cheer each other on! And I get to share this experience with them using music – how lucky am I?

ABOUT ASD

So I thought I’d share a little bit about the awesome company I work for. Arts & Services for Disabled (ASD) was founded in 1982, with the vision of creating and developing community based programs utilizing creative arts therapies (music, dance, drama, and visual and literary arts) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Very often students come into these programs with very low self esteem, or seem unreachable. For these individuals, traditional training approaches only serve to increase their frustration and magnify their belief that they are “dis-abled.” In programs provided by Arts & Services for Disabled, the focus is on what the students are able to do, not what they can’t.

ASD’s mission statement:

The primary mission of Arts & Services for Disabled is to provide life-long learning, community service and career opportunities through the creative arts for people with disabilities in an environment of warmth, encouragement and respect.

We believe…

...all people, regardless of functional capability, have a right and responsibility to contribute to the well-being of their community and be gainfully employed in an occupation of their choosing;

…an informed and supportive community must play a vital role in removing the barriers to full involvement and inclusion;

…people should have access to the expressive arts in vocation, education, and leisure;

…people have the right to express and practice their cultural and artistic heritage;

…being treated with dignity and respect fosters personal growth, thus our philosophy:

LOVE BEFORE LEARNING

We currently have four programs: one in Long Beach, one in Gardena, and two in Hawthorne. I’ve worked at the Long Beach facility for almost 4 years. Our students continue to amaze me on a daily basis with their creativity, compassion, and willingness to share themselves openly, seemingly without fear of what others will think. I have to admit that I sometimes take for granted how unique my job is, until someone meeting my students for the first time reminds me that what we do at ASD is very extraordinary work. Although I’m labeled the “instructor,” my students sometimes teach me more than I will ever be able to teach them.

TO SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE?

So I’ve had a few people recommend to me that I have people donate money for me NOT to shave my head. Therefore, I have a plan. You can donate to support one of two things:

1.   Go bald! You support me shaving my entire head.

2.   Save Liz’s hair! You support me cutting my hair only to my shoulders.

Either way, the money will go towards a MacBook, and I will donate the hair to Locks of Love. However, whatever side gets more total donations is what I will do. Bring on the competition!

I must say though, that somehow rumor has spread that I’m not in favor of going bald. Wrong! While I do love my hair when I actually take time to straighten it (which is not often), I’m ready to try a new bold look. Also, I’m sure the child who has a bald head because of cancer would appreciate longer locks, which I can only do if I donate my entire head of hair. Mine will always grow back. So, I’m voting for #1 – let’s see what everyone else thinks! Maybe you think I should go for it – go bald or go home! Or maybe you think it would be such a shame for me to not have any hair at all! I know which side my husband is on…what about you?

Will your side win??

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

My monetary goal is to raise $3,000 for my dream MacBook – extra storage, Logic (music editing software), a nice microphone… This is my dream MacBook Pro 15":

2.53GHz Intel Core i5
8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Logic Express preinstalled
Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter
Apple Remote
AppleCare Protection Plan


So what can you do to help? Here are some ideas:

·      Send the link to my blog to all your friends

·      Share the link on your Facebook page

·      Donate! (See the button at the top)

·      Get your friends to donate!

·      Come to the event! (date/time TBA)

·      Any other ideas? Leave a comment!

While the purpose of this fundraiser is to purchase a MacBook, I really want everyone to understand why my work is so important to me. I believe that music therapy is a very powerful way to bring out the creative spirit in my students, and to help them grow. They have so much to offer, and if you really take the time to get to know them, you’ll be amazed. As their “teacher,” I still have a lot to learn from them. They are so accepting of others, and most of them are free of the social barrier we all seem to carry around that says “I can’t be who I really am, because someone will look down on me.” They simply say, “this is who I am!” This freedom is inspiring.

That said, one of the best things you can do to help is to come observe me at my work and/or volunteer. Let me know if you’re interested in doing this!

PHOTO SHOOT 10/22/10

My students assisted in a photo shoot today – they chose which dress I should wear, helped set up a backdrop, gave me input about how I should pose, and gave their reactions to when I told them I’d be shaving my head. One of my students actually took the news rather hard! It appears that he’s grown attached to my “beautiful pelo hair” as he calls it… In any case, here are the end results:

See my hair?

Yes, my "beautiful pelo hair..."

Is there anything I love more than my hair?

Why yes, I love my students more!

So, here we go!

PURPOSE

Working for a non-profit, we’re always thinking of new and creative ways to fundraise, and trying to figure out how to get the supplies we need. What do I need for the music therapy program at ASD? Why, a MacBook would be lovely! One of the latest projects I’ve been working on with my students is writing and recording original songs. Pretty awesome – they’re so creative! Problem is, there’s only so much I can fit onto the electronic storage we have at work, because I’m using my own MacBook and it’s against regulations to take home confidential information such as recordings. Hmm. So how do I find a way around the fact that we can’t really afford to purchase a MacBook?

What if I sold my hair and took on my husband’s look? He is, for all intents and purposes, BALD. Observe:

I know, it probably won’t be too flattering of a look for me, but hey, it’s hair – it will grow back! In the meantime, maybe I can run a faster marathon time. :) And here’s another bonus: I can donate to Locks of Love.

SO WHO'S WITH ME?