Hello all and welcome to my personal fundraising page! I raise $$$ & awareness for AccessCNY's "Anything that Rolls" under the SUSHI ROLLS team. This will be team Sushi's fourth consecutive year participating in this awesome event.

So why do I roll?

Well my first answer to that question would be, why not? I cannot stress enough about how wonderful this event truly is. I’ve worked for AccessCNY in the past and four years ago when my mom brought up the topic of the Anything that Rolls event, it caught my eye and eventually took a little piece of my heart.

Up until 2014, I had never known what it was like to not be able to get around and complete basic tasks throughout my everyday life. I had undergone a pretty intense foot surgery that left me in pain and virtually immobile for several months. I had the crutches and the accommodations (front row parking to the grocery store and campus woo!) to help me in my recovery but before my surgery I had no idea what went into adapting to a situation where I could not get around on my own. I see myself as independent and to have that independence hindered left me feeling frustrated and even depressed. Now that is where AccessCNY came in. They provided me with apartment friendly equipment that gave me back my independence and made such a difference during my recovery process. It made such a difference to be able to get around in the morning and to have the time to simply shower and have a cup of coffee on my own.

 I can remember getting around my college campus during the winter on crutches. One moment specifically pops into my head. The sidewalks were barely shoveled, I couldn’t find any up close parking that particular day and had to crutch four blocks in inclement weather with a heavy back pack on. Halfway through expedition “just make it to class without falling,” I wanted to give up and I began to silently cry from sheer exhaustion and embarrassment. It was the kindness of a stranger on campus that I still think about to this day. A stranger saw my struggle and ran over to me and without making me feel silly said “give me your bag and please let me help you.” It is this type of support that I personally strive to give from team Sushi Rolls participation. It was not just my friends and family but also the strangers who took time out of their busy day, the person sitting next to me in class to lend a hand and AccessCNY who immediately provided support. Just think what we could all accomplish with a little kindness. That is why I roll. If I can see just one person smile on the day of the event or know that my team’s effort helped someone in some way, it’s worth it.  

Now this is where you come in! What this experience did was not only give me a new perspective; it gave me hope in other people. Don’t think for one minute that someone with a disability whether it be mental, physical, developmental or whichever, is weak. We are strong. But a person who faces challenges is even stronger when they have a community and support system that is there for them. It was the support, compassion and help that I received from those around me and AccessCNY, that encouraged me and gave me the necessary supports to become strong and independent again during a difficult time. What is better than having a fun morning surrounded by family and friends and knowing that you are helping making a difference in someone’s life somehow? This could be anyone, a neighbor, a stranger, the woman at the grocery store, your father, your child or even you. And it is our responsibility as people to always help others. By joining this wonderful event you are doing that. You are helping those around you get the necessary supports they need to be strong and be their best self. Now come on LETS ROLL! I’m bringing the wasabi!

   Sincerely,

     Megan