She Didn't Need Help Laughing

[Guest guest]

She Didn't Need Help Laughing

By Tom Bergeron August 31, 2008

http://www.parade.com/health/0808/tom-bergeron-mda-telethon

There's an old show-business saying, " Never work with kids or

animals. " Here's why: They're adorable, they're furry (usually just

the animals), and they can completely captivate an audience. When

they leave the stage, you—the not-so-adorable (and more likely to be

furry) adult—inherit a disappointed audience full of blank stares.

However, being the enlightened sort that I am, I don't subscribe to

such superstitious showbiz hooey. If I did, would I have agreed to

pose for this week's cover with 9-year-old Abbey Umali, the Muscular

Dystrophy Association's 2008 National Goodwill Ambassador? Of course

not. I would have taken one look at this remarkable, charismatic

little girl with her incandescent smile, and I would have skulked

away.

You did notice I was on the cover with her, didn't you?

I'd understand if you didn't. When I first was shown the photos, even

I didn't notice me. And I have a pretty healthy ego. But Abbey's

smile and charisma aren't the only remarkable things about this

fourth-grader and aspiring veterinarian. Trumping those two, while

also fueling them, is her impressive spirit. Abbey has congenital

hypomyelinating neuropathy, a form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Because of how her condition affects balance and muscle strength,

Abbey uses leg braces to help her walk—and to run, of which she did

quite a bit between camera setups. She sure didn't need much help

laughing, though. That she does with ease. She's a wonderful audience

for, say, an arrested-adolescent television host. Unfortunately, that

realization came at the expense of the shooting schedule. Once I knew

I could get her giggling, I was less professional than, well, in this

case, a 9-year-old.

At one point during all the goofing around, Abbey turned to her

parents and said, " Tom is funny like Jerry . " I was beyond

flattered. Which brings me to a confession: The reason I was there

with Abbey and her parents—the reason I've co-hosted the telethon for

the past three years and become an MDA national vice president—wasn't

originally due to a selfless desire to help a worthy cause. I know I

should pretend it was. I know it's much more correct (certainly in

Hollywood, anyway) to avoid admitting to a self-serving motivation.

But, no, it's too late. I'm going to fess up: My involvement with the

MDA began mostly because I wanted to meet Jerry .

I'd almost met him a few years earlier, when I was hosting the most

recent incarnation of Hollywood Squares. Jerry was booked to be the

center square for a week of shows. Squares head writer Dave Boone and

I, both fans, were looking forward to astounding him with our " Hey,

LAAAADYYYYY! " impressions. Possibly because he got wind of this, he

had to reschedule. Before he could, Hollywood Squares was canceled.

So when telethon producer Lee called in 2005 and asked if I

wanted to co-host part of the Jerry MDA Labor Day Telethon, I

immediately said, " Yes! " And, just to be safe, I vowed to spare

Jerry my snappy impressions.

Meeting Jerry was wonderful. Watching him up close as he rallied a

gathering of local telethon hosts was incredible. He's a dynamo. His

passion for the MDA cause, which you've witnessed on your television

every Labor Day weekend for 43 years, is even more contagious in

person. And I do mean contagious. I co-hosted my first telethon

because I'm a fan of his. I keep going back because I'm a fan

of " Jerry's Kids. "

As a dad of two daughters, one in college and the other about to

finish high school, I know how I feel about my kids. They are the

lights of my life. I also know (but don't tell them I said this) how

often they, by just being themselves, have taught me important

lessons about living a life of courage and character. Jerry's Kids,

whether they're in third grade or middle-age, have done the same.

From my new friend Abbey to my " old " friend who preceded her as MDA

National Goodwill Ambassador, 15-year-old Luke ( " I know more clips

from America's Funniest Videos than you do, Tom " ) Christie, I've

received a master class on the resilience of the human spirit. I am

in their debt. And despite what the show-business adage says, I'd

follow these kids anywhere.

There's another old saying you may be familiar with: " What happens in

Vegas stays in Vegas. " Not this weekend. There's a telethon

happening. I hope you'll watch and pledge. Your support could help

find cures and change lives.

Because these kids are worth following.

Tom Bergeron is the co-host of the " Jerry MDA Labor Day

Telethon " and host of ABC's " Dancing With the Stars. "