Some of my favourite events to sing for are fundraisers.
There are several charities that are really close to my heart, and some specific ones have been apart of my yearly fundraiser schedule since I was 14 years old.
This past weekend I had the privilege of singing for the Crohn's Colitis Canada Fun Money Casino Night! (That's a mouthful).
If you didn't already know, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis when I was 14, and following a total colectomy, having an ileostomy for 7 months, then a second surgery to create an internal J-Pouch, I was eventually diagnosed with chronic inflammation of that pouch as well as Crohn's Disease. One intestine left, two different diseases in that one intestine, requiring two different treatments and resulting in two different sets of symptoms.
It is fair to say that life has been complicated.
Due to all of that, I have been very involved in several functions that occur throughout the year in hopes to raise funds to find better treatments and work towards a cure.
The singing itself seemed to go well. I had had a recent allergic reaction in my throat and it was still affected, so my throat still felt irritated, which made me second guess how the singing itself sounded. After speaking to people afterwards, no one could really tell that it was slightly scratchy or that my range had been mildly compromised. Usually no one notices - it is more the feel of it that has changed. I find it more difficult to sing, especially songs with an extensive range.
Luckily, all I had to do was change around my set list and add in a few simpler songs, as well as playing a few piano tunes to give my voice a break.
I also took a few more breaks and kept a couple lozenges close by to soothe my irritated throat.
For these functions I get to sing emotional songs. My favourites to sing for such a fundraiser include Medicine, Violin, Shine The Light, The Sun Is Rising, and True Colors. Medicine specifically is very pointedly about health and it usually makes me choke up. They speak to me as both asking for help and exuding a strength that one can only get from within.
The lyrics are extra important to me at these functions, even if the only person who hears them is me. I don't just want to provide background music, I want the song choices to have additional meaning, so that if anyone is really listening, I might be able to really reach someone who is struggling. I mean, everyone in that room was struggling, either themselves or with a family member or friend who deals with Inflammatory Bowel Disease on a regular basis. It is a nice atmosphere to be around people who understand the difference between a headache and a migraine, between a close call running to the washroom and complete incontinence at a young age, between feeling tired or even exhausted and feeling chronically fatigued.
Plus - there was a special guest who showed up this year.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi made an appearance and even indulged me in a photo with him!!! Very cool that he was there, he spoke for a bit, and took the time to speak to a few people and take pictures. It was a very unexpected surprise.
It was a great night, full of laughter, music, and family. It is definitely one of my top functions and I always feel honoured to be there sharing my music.
I love My Musical Life!
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