Here is the copy of the email ( it is not personal at all) I hope someone can help.
, I have done a little reading about your organization, and like it a lot. I just wanted to give you some more information to see if you can help point me in the right direction. The first thing is that I consider myself a professional athlete. While beach tennis has only been around in the States for four years, it is huge in Europe ( especially Italy), and fast becoming popular in other countries, including Aruba, Bermuda, Australia and so on.
In the past, I was paid to play in a tournament in Aruba last year, and have been invited to play in Prague at the end of December as Santa Claus. Also, the owner of beach tennis in Italy ( who I briefly met at the last tournament) told me to email him at the beginning of the year. If I can get started, I am sure he would be willing to help out with what I am trying to do. The company I want to be most associated with: In that last email, you told me you would contact the Epilepsy Foundation for me. While that gesture is greatly appreciated, again, I am not sure the Foundation and myself share the same philosophies. I would love to be able to form a better relationship, but that might take some time.
No, the company I care about more than any other is Cyberonics, the maker of my implant that helped save my life Over the past three years, I have tried speaking with them, most notably Mark Cox (817-832-9239) In almost all the articles that have been written about me, and in almost every conversation I have with people, I explain how this implant has helped me, and how I think it would be helpful for others. My biggest hurdle with this company is two things: The first is the problem I have with everyone else: I am poor, and need help getting started. The second hurdle is that this product saved my life, and I would feel kind of bad asking them for help. They already did their part and have enabled me to stay strong. I promised I would not call them again until I got on my feet. Who knows, maybe they are looking to do something different this holiday season, but that is the one company I would do anything for ( does that make sense) If you have time and feel the need, maybe you can contact Mr. Cox. I value that company a lot, but don't really know how to speak to them.
Maybe we should try to keep this simple:I have sent you a couple of emails explaining how we could make money for charity off of the image of Santa. I was in this mode for a couple of reasons: The first is that this is the stuff that people find most interesting ( to be honest, most of my ideas come from other people I meet. I pick up something from everyone, and try to develop these ideas the best that I can) The second is that for a long time, I felt I have needed to convince business people how i can put money into their pockets. I know I have dedicated my life to helping others, but have learned not to expect the same thing from others ( I don't blame them at all) As far as keeping it simple, why not have me host toy drives at different tournaments ( this was my original idea) Having Santa on the beach, whether I have the beard and the suit won't matter after this holiday season, could be a nice way to raise enough presents for needy children. Plus, this is something everyone can relate too, and whether we get ten presents, or ten thousand, we would still be sponsoring goodwill.
After talking with a waitress last night to get her opinion ( I don't go out much, but when I do, I like to ask different people about this) she said I should get involved with reading to young children. LOL. Can I tell you how much I love this idea, and this would be doing something positive with the image that would benefit the children. This is the kind of thing I really want to do, and I don't care about the other stuff. Plus, based on my experiences, the children would get a kick out of it, whether it is in December or July.
Potential sponsors: Yes, I play professional beach tennis, and it would make a lot of sense if I could hook up with a clothing line and an energy drink company ( this last one would make the most sense. With my unique style of play, I would imagine most energy drink companies wouldn't mind having me promote their product on the beach) But I think I am more than a beach tennis player. With what I am trying to do as Santa, I think a toy company would love to work with me ( an idea I had would be for a toy company to offer discounts on toys for our drives) Actually, I would like to think most companies would get behind something like this, especially if done correctly. Yes, I obviously have my thoughts on what types, but I am open to pretty much anything. I know it takes just one company to say yes, and then others will follow. The demographic I am most trying to reach and why: Now, as Santa, you can stick almost any child from 2-7 in front of me, and I will be able to entertain them. However, it is teenagers and the 20 and 30 somethings that I want to reach, in large part because it is these people that can help make people's lives with epilepsy a lot easier. I am not sure if you know how bad the problem is, but our school kids are constantly being harassed, we are getting fired everywhere, and most of the public still does not know that you are not supposed to stick anything in our mouths when we are having a seizure. By becoming an "entertainer", I might be able to reach these people more effectively. Again, this was one of my original ideas, and if possible, I would like to see if it would work. Plus, it is this group that is most entertained by me. From Aruba to Connecticut, this age group always laughs at these ideas. My life right now: My life right now consists of me sitting in a room all day long. I live at my parents and occasionally get to take my bike out for some exercise. I don't really have any friends, mostly because they are tired of hearing me talk about these ideas ( I don't blame them one bit) In fact, a good friend of mine is getting married at the end of October, and I can't even go to the wedding ( being a "bum", I have learned I can't partake in these kind of things) My parents, who are amazing people, believe they raised a failure and see me going nowhere in life. It is really tough on them, but what they don't realize, and what few people do, is that I have succeeded in many ways. I have done this character better than anyone else, and just want to give back. If I can be involved with giving more money away than earning, that would be a great success to me. I am altruistic, but am not the only one ( from what I have gathered, this appears to be a common trait amongst people with epilepsy) I also have tried sending emails, but am tired of it. It has been three long years, and nobody can take me seriously. I am still in shock that I am in this situation, and truelly believe that an organization like yourself could either help me, or point me in the right direction. There should be no reason why I am still in my situation, and that is why I have sent these emails to you. I am stopping at your organization: Jason, after reading about your organization, I am glad my other attempts have either failed, or I used good judgement. You guys are top notch, and know I can learn from the people associated with Athletes For Hope. If there is a minor leagues, I would love to do my time there, but I hope you understand where my life is right now. I have been more successful than most these past three years, and that is why I am in my situation. I am a horrible salesmen. I could not sell ice cream to eskimos, or even water to people in the desert ( I would rather have extra water and give it away) This is not fair to my family, and realize this. Once again, I hope you realize I am not looking for any handouts at all. I just want the opportunity to be a productive member of society, and do what I do best. With the holiday season coming up, now is an excellent time for me to shine. But I can't do it by myself anymore. If you have any suggestions, please, I would love to hear them. The thing I want the most is to be able to meet with someone, and to see what, if anything, could be worked out. I know the positive impact I could have, but am willing to prove myself first. But right now, with holes in my shoes and living in the environment I am in, I can't do anything. With much respect, Scott
