Listen to this post:

This fundraising business can start to feel super competitive. I want to all the reach potential backers on the planet first, hog the money for my project, and smile all the way to the bank. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, one of the most satisfying things about raising money is finding out about other projects and artists and supporting them as well. Because it’s simply not possible that this film is the only worthy bit of work being done.

So a quick note: The Kickstarter campaign for this film goes until October 31st, 2014. Click here to donate to Who Am I To Stop It on Kickstarter and share the campaign, please. That’s it about my film for this post.

I want you to turn your attention to “The Genius of Caring” found at www.GeniusofCaring.com. They are also hosting a Kickstarter campaign right now, for the next couple days only! They’re less than $1000 from their goal! Kickstarter is all or nothing, so this is a very exciting time for them.

Let me explain the project in their words: “The Genius of Caring is a web based interactive story sharing project that features documentary portraits of family caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias and allows users to contribute to a community story archive. The project offers a uniquely intimate glimpse into the caregiving experience and creates a powerful portrait of a community connected through compassion.”

And now let me tell you why I find this powerful. Brain injury, dementia, disability, these things are not isolated to the person experiencing them. They effect our families, friends, care partners, and communities. Not everyone has these people around them to support, love, and appreciate them. Part of this is because many people don’t understand what’s happening to their friend or loved one in terms of their disability, and so they turn away or are forced away. Perhaps there’s care partner burn-out, guilt, fatigue, pain, and distress. No matter what, if we are going to be supportive of folks with disabilities, we have to have love and support for the rest of our community too.

The Genius of Caring offers art, storytelling, documentary, and connection. It’s a place to go that isn’t medical, all listing of symptoms and strategies. I think when we engage in this kind of storytelling–the kind that is based on forming a compassionate community and increasing understanding of each other–we are building invaluable supports. When we feel supported and valued, we have more energy to support others, to celebrate, to take action.

For anyone with personal experiences around Alzheimer’s and dementia, I understand perhaps this site and the project may touch a nerve and feel very difficult. But if and when you’re ready to read others’ stories, share your own, and feel a sense of community, I do feel this is the place.