Jerry Lewis is a living icon, the world’s most celebrated entertainer, a man of artistic brilliance and a man who for almost sixty years, has used his belief in the kindness of the human spirit to make a difference in the lives of millions through his tireless work for muscular dystrophy.

To date $2.4 billion has been raised, bringing awareness and change to the lives of millions of children with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular conditions for the better, and leading scientists closer to the brink of viable prospective treatments.

Jerry’s visit to Australia is not only to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia (MDF Australia) for support and research but also to raise awareness of this terrible condition. In accepting the role of International Patron of MDF Australia, Jerry Lewis continues his international advocacy
and support for the many children and families who live with neuromuscular conditions including muscular dystrophy.

Jerry Lewis makes no apologies for his blatant, genuine love for Australia. Jerry is looking forward to continuing his great work on his visit to Docklands this June for a gala in support of MDF Australia.

With the amazing life you have had to date and your equally amazing achievements, was there an event or a moment in your life early on where you made a conscious decision to do the best you could do for the wellbeing of others?

Well, it was a conscious decision that was made for me by my father and my mother, they were instrumental in making me look outside of my own life and look towards helping others and observing other people. Part of my education as a performer was to examine the human condition because doing what I was doing and creating the kind of comedy I was doing I had to know about people, I had to understand them. I have been a student of the human condition since I was eight years old.

I have always had a tremendous feeling to want to help others that are in trouble, it’s an attribute. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to do for someone else because what you are really doing is actually something for yourself. I believe when you give of yourself you are making your own life better, I don’t want to sound all goodie-two-shoes, that’s not what I want to sound like at all, but if I can convert someone to care about others, I don’t care how I do it. I have been involved in conversions all my life, if I meet someone who doesn’t have the faintest idea about charity I just want to go to work on him
and I usually come away with a cheque!

Are you looking forward to your visit here this June?

It’s been an incredible 59 year ride and I have tremendous pride in what I have achieved to date and I want to bring that pride and my abilities to Australia. I love Australia so much; I have been the poster child for Australia each time I go back to America. I have been all over the world but I have never met people who are so consciously marvellous about themselves; Australians love who they are, love what they have and love what they do and I have always felt that strongly. My heart was touched the very first day I was in Australia and I came back from that visit knowing that I had finally found a place where if push came to shove I would buy a house and live there.

I have been accused of getting paid by the Australian Chamber of Commerce, but I feel it in my heart, this is a genuine feeling. Australian audiences let me know that they appreciate my output; they let me know in
a hundred different and wonderful ways. In light of one in 1000 Australians affected by muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions, what do you say to people who say that the disease doesn’t affect them and they don’t need to take an interest in this charity?

Well that is exactly what happened here (America), many people in the beginning were cautious and deliberate in their point of view and I had to let people know that what I was trying to do was actually in their best interest. They trusted me and gave me my head, as it were, to raise $2.4 billion, and that’s billion with a B.

There are 7,000 children affected in Australia and more than 20,000 across the country, they need to be taken care of and they need people that care to bring the information and make people accountable, this is absolutely necessary. I can’t imagine that as a nation that cares so much for the wellbeing of one another that Australians aren’t the best audience for what I want to achieve here.

We just need to get the right television exposure; I am bringing my own crew so we don’t have any problems with how we do what we need to do. I have an incredible team, many of whom have been with me since the beginning, and they are excited to get things started in Australia too.

Have you had any progress with the Australian television networks regarding a possible 2011 muscular dystrophy telethon?

Yes, I have spoken to Channel 7, I have a feeling that they don’t really believe I am going to come and do this. It’s one thing when you are trying to do something in your own country, but when you go elsewhere to attempt the same thing there is hesitation, uncertainty and anxiety and all those things that need to be dealt with, which I am prepared to do and will do just as I had to do here in America. When someone wants to do something to help other people, there are two responses you are met with, firstly bravo – good on you, and the other is the question as to why this person is doing this. They need an affirmation and all I need is to find out who are the people I need to talk to and sit down with them.

When someone does something that is so blatantly human, people question their motives and that is OK, if I am going to ask you to put your hand in your pocket and give me money for children in trouble you have every right to find out who I am, where I come from and why I am doing it, and I am prepared for that.

I just have to make people understand, which will be much easier than it was when we started in America because we already have our track record to show, we already have the proof of the hard work that was done and what has been achieved and now we are going to another country to do it
there, it’s that simple.

Where did it all begin for you with muscular dystrophy, why do you have such a strong connection to this disease?

I have never answered that question yet.

I say the same thing every time I am asked, it’s just not important why I do it, the fact remains I do it. There doesn’t need to be reasons for it, if you are passionate about genuinely doing something for other people you don’t need to have reasons or excuses for just doing it.

Have you found through your outstanding fundraising efforts that comedy has been a great bridge for you in being able to raise awareness and fundraising?

Sure, we found out long ago that the best time to get someone to reach into their pocket is when they are laughing, it’s a natural reaction. The human condition has taught me over all these years that most people are innately good, and I feel this especially with coming to Australia to get the job done.

I am sure I speak for many, but I must personally thank you for the happy memories you brought into my life through your films and comedy over the years, you gave families the opportunity to spend time together and that is a great gift. As a performer and artist, educator, activist and a man that has done so much to bring change and good into the lives of others, you must be so proud of your achievements.

Thank you, I hear that from so many

places and it means a lot to know families spent time together watching my work, especially Australian families. I have travelled the world but to Australia I am very partial, incredibly partial, and I have no qualms about saying that.

I know what I am doing now and what I have achieved in the past and although I am not a specific messenger of anything, to be able to help children makes me feel good.

I am very blessed and I have been given the gifts to get things done. I never re-examine the why of my life because you can get yourself into trouble thinking like that and a big head isn’t necessary and only serves to get in the way. You have to only know the why of doing it, and that should be because it is good and right. I am writing a screen play at the moment and I wrote a line ‘you have to be a good man to do great work’ because the truth is, if you are not, you’ll never achieve anything creatively or bring about any good
in your life. I know what I do is right and I will continue on until the very end.
Muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular, geneticcondition that results in the progressive deterioration of muscle strength and function.

The most common form in childhood is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, which can see a young boy using a manual wheelchair by the age of eight, and being completely dependent on an electric one by his early teens. Life expectancy for this condition is usually only until early adulthood.

There are many other types of neuromuscular conditions, affecting people of all ages.

MDF Australia enables the provision of a range of services to persons with neuromuscular conditions, including muscular dystrophy. This is a vital issue that directly affects one in 300 Australians. Many are confined to wheelchairs
and experience significant challenges during their lives, or are carers needing support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every single
week of the year
.
MDF strives to have:
• More understanding today through awareness and education
• The best available support through best practice service delivery
• A better future through vital research and essential advocacy

Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia
www.supportMD.org.au