Two sorority women arrested me last Friday.
No, this is not going where you may think it's going (no handcuffs were involved), but they meant business. I was served with a warrant and everything. I wasn't going anywhere unless I raised $100 bail.
I considered my options. I'm sure I could have gotten away. They would never have caught up with me. The long hours I've spent in the Art and Journalism Building have helped me learn every nook and cranny.
I would have left them in the dust.
But I surrendered instead. The bail money would be going to a good cause.
It was all part of a fund-raiser for dystonia research.
I was ignorant at the time of my arrest. I had no idea what dystonia was. My captors explained it to me, and I was all for it.
According to the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, it is a neurological movement disorder. Involuntary muscle contractions force parts of the body into abnormal, sometimes painful positions. It is the third most common movement disorder after Parkinson's Disease and Tremor.
It doesn't seem entirely clear what causes the disorder. According to The Dystonia Society, investigations have revealed no identifiable cause for primary dystonia. Obviously, more research is needed, which is why they need the money.
I explained this many times over, sitting in an undisclosed location and trying to raise bail from my family and friends -- the same people poking fun at me on the other end of the phone.
"You need $20?" one family friend asked me. "I'll give you $19, you dirty liberal."
Thanks a bunch.
You know, I could have been mad. I could have refused. I was on my way home. I could have said, "My weekend starts now, so good luck."
But I didn't mind the inconvenience. In fact, I wouldn't even call it an inconvenience. So many times we forget about others and get caught up in our own lives. I'm guilty of it too.
The holidays are over. This is an especially needy time. Most people give in November and December and then forget about those in need. Everyone should take advantage of any chance they get -- a fund-raiser, a canned food drive, anything -- to do something for people who can't help themselves. If you missed the fund-raiser last Friday, you can still send a check to: Jail N' Bail: Dystonia Fundraiser, 920 N. Linden, Apt. 15, Muncie, IN 47303. If you'd rather help someone in some other way, I encourage you to do so.
Not to get all warm and fuzzy, but it is a great self-esteem booster. Knowing that someone's life is getting better because of you makes your life better.
This fund-raiser gave me a reminder of how wonderful it is to do something for someone else.
Even under heavy guard.
Write to Jon at jcseidel@bsu.edu
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