The Kids For Kids Project

One of my highlights of the 2001 Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy Conference was the very professional, entertaining, inspiring and emotion-stirring performance by 7 members of The Kids For Kids Project cast and pianist/composer David Kreppel. Not only was the performance impressive, those kids were wonderful people who truly care about the boys with Duchenne!

The Kids For Kids Project (www.thekidsforkidsproject.org) works in conjunction with Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (www.parentdmd.org). One-hundred percent of proceeds raised by K4KP go to supporting research to find a cure for muscular dystrophy. All of the cast and musicians donate their time when performing, and for recording the Generation For Change – Songs For A Cure CD.

This CD is dedicated to Christopher Furlong, Patrick Furlong, Bryan S. Mesick and Thomas Saccomanno, and all the boys around the world who fight Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.

The Generation For Change CD has 15 songs, including a special appearance by Kathie Lee Gifford. There are a variety of music styles, and features solos from many talented kids—kids with very impressive résumés that include movie roles, TV, radio, off-Broadway and personal appearances. And every one of these kids donates their time and talents to help raise awareness and funding. The cast ranges in age from 9 years old through the teens.

Some of the songs are simply entertaining—and wonderfully so—, some are aimed to help “normal” kids provide a friendlier environment for disabled kids, some are songs of encouragement.

Kimberly Galberaith, the creator and manager of K4KP—and a staff member of Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy—, wrote the lyrics for four of the songs on the CD: DNA Rap, How Do You Get Where You’re Going?, Peer Pressure, and Work It Out!

DNA Rap

This is my favorite “funny” and educational song.

Ever wondered how DNA works?

Have you ever tried to pronounce "Deoxyribonucleic Acid"?

Try singing, "dee-ox-ee-rye-bo-noo-clay-ic acid," in a rap song!

Some of our genes come from our parents…

That’s genes with a ‘G’, not with a ‘J’.

Here's your chance to hear part of DNA Rap—a great song performed by Rob Grippa and The Kids For Kids Project. But be sure to come back after you listen, there are still 14 more terrific songs for me to introduce!

Sample song file: www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/03-DNA-RAP.ram.

Do you have the “RealPlayer” program for listening to RAM files? If so, create your own “music video”… Click on the “Visualizations” button (to the left of the volume control), and then select “Cosmic Belt”… Looks like a DNA strand dancing to DNA Rap!

(And be sure to listen for the little guitar riff after, All the boys have an ‘X’ and a ‘Y’, girls have ‘XX’. What does that sound like to you?)

How Do You Get Where You’re Going?

Some people get where they’re going by running, walking, flying, or by camel or kayak, and some people use a wheelchair. Energetic K4KP cast member Ali Stroker, a teenage girl who uses a wheelchair because of a spinal chord injury suffered when she was a toddler, performs this song.

Sample file: www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/02-How-do-you-get.ram.

Peer Pressure

Sometimes it’s very difficult for kids to go against the flow—sometimes they question themselves, even though they “know what’s right, what rings true”. Dialogue includes typical temptations: Have a smoke, Mom’s gone—come on over to our party—, and tomorrow we’ll ditch class!

The entire K4KP cast sings encouragement to stand up tall, to be in command! Don’t let Peer Pressure get to you!

Sample file: www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/05-Peer-pressure.ram.

Work It Out!

The fourth Kimberly Galberaith song is Work It Out! This stretching song, performed by 9 year old Marisa Lee Douenias, explains and encourages exercises important for DMD boys: The Achilles tendon, hamstring, and biceps. Pretty cool! J

Sorry, the K4KP website doesn’t have a sample of this song. L

Kids Generation

The Kids For Kids Project introduction song.

Welcome to the show with a heartbeat,
the heartbeat of kids who care.

Watch us change the world!

Sample file: www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/01-kid-generation.ram.

1000 Ways To Dance

Even if you can’t boogie to the rhythm, there are still 1000 Ways To Dance.

Dream Loud

When times are tough, don’t let your dreams be small, don’t talk at all—Dream Loud!

It’s Ok To Do Things Differently

This song is performed by a great little guy, Steven “with a V, not PH” Stuts.

Why should you do things just like me?

The world is full of variety.

It’s Okay To Do Things Differently!

Through My Eyes

If you see the world Through My Eyes, the rainbows are still full of color, and no matter what, I’m still your friend.

Starting At The End

Hiding from yourself?

Barely looking within?

Would you like to soar?

Soar with me!

(www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/04-Starting-at-the-end.ram.)

It’s Not Contagious

It’s Not Contagious is a 50’s-style rock-and-roll with a strong beat and “walking bass” pattern. This upbeat song says, “It’s okay to touch me.”

It ain’t the pox.

It’s not a cold.

It’s genetic, not a germ.

You can’t “catch it”!

Jason Marcus finishes the song with an Elvis-like, “Thank you very much!”

Help Is On The Way

Don’t give up your dream.

From places you don’t know about today,

From friends you may not have met… yet.

Help is on the way!

Laura Sweitzer sings the very touching song.

(www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/06-Help-is-on-the-way.ram.)

Talk About The Times

We all need to talk about the good times when times are getting us down.

An upbeat song performed by 15-year-old Greg Raposo. This kid’s gone “big time”! Greg is a member of a new boy’s singing group—Dream Street. Check out this kid’s website! (www.gregraposo.com.)

But first check out the sample and the rest of the K4KP songs…

(www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/07-Talk-About-the-Times.ram.)

We Can Be Kind

Together we can face whatever tomorrow may bring!

Performed by special guest artist Kathie Lee Gifford.

(www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/08-We-Can-Be-Kind.ram.)

Kids For Kids Song

The K4KP closing song.

We’re Kids For Kids—we’re kids who care!

(www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/09-Kids-for-kids-song.ram.)

Okay, Have I Sold You Yet?

The K4KP home page is at www.thekidsforkidsproject.org.

All of the K4KP song samples: www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/Soundclip.html. There are also higher-quality MP3 files that you can download.

Meet the K4KP cast at www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/cast.html.

And now…, sold? You can get some great entertainment and encouragement, and help fund research for a cure! The CD can be purchased at www.thekidsforkidsproject.org/mcart/. The cost is $20 plus $2 for shipping, or call 212-262-6433 or 800-714-KIDS.

All proceeds from The Kids For Kids Project go to supporting research for finding a cure for muscular dystrophy.

This article is from Living For Today, Preparing For Tomorrow. From Parents. To Parents. A Parent's Guide to Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

This book is dedicated to the parents and guardians who battle against their worries, who must prepare for tomorrow and yet grab hold of today, striving to make today the best day for their children and family.

"Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own." MATTHEW 6:34 NIV

This article may be freely copied and distributed by print or email provided it is copied and distributed in its entirety (including this Dedication & Copyright notice) and is distributed at no cost. Any other use (including publishing on the web) is prohibited without prior written authorization.

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