Hello, I'm Jason and I'm new here. I am a member of The International Brotherhood of Magicians. I have enjoyed magic since a small boy. I'm an adult now (32 to be exact) with kids of my own.

I encourage you to take on the following challange (it will change your life as well as the lives of others).
I am the Father of a 7 year old daughter
that has Leukemia (A Cancer Of The Blood) She was diagnosed at the age of 5 and is responding well to treatment. But I have seen many children that have not. I have spent many days and nights at the Devoss Childrens Hospital and watched Children suffer from many forms of cancer and birth defects.

While there, I have shown kids things that vanish and it makes them smile when they have no reason to, then sadly some of them vanish and I am left with their smile in my mind and I feel Good. Not all are this sad, some respond well to treatment like my daughter ( Angel..That is her real name).

So take this challange: Take your gift (your art of magic) and give a kid a smile when there is no reason to smile.
Give them hope that if things can vanish so can their illness. If things can change so can their life. You will be glad you did.

Thank you for your time..Jason Stevens IBM member of the Grand Rapids Mich. Ring 211

Wow, you've inspired me.

Hi Jason,

I loved your post and highly recommend you also post this in either Food for Thought or Little Darlings under the General Magic Forum. It's very inspirational and I thank you for sharing your story. I wish Angel the very best and can relate to your story.

Welcome to the Café and glad you decided to join us.

Chrystal

Jason,
Welcome to our magical community, and thanks for reminding all of us how our magic can really work wonders.

Welcome Jason, and thanks for the thoughts. I used to be a member or IBM ring 211 as well when I was living in Kalamazoo. Have fun at the Café.

Welcome, Jason!

I can second your challenge. My son has been a burn victim since he was five months old. He is now nine years, and goes through reconstructive surgery every year to 18 months. On occasions of going to the Shriners' Burns Institute in Boston, I often ran into the Shrine Clowns entertaining the children.

I was inspired and became a Shrine Clown myself about 3 1/2 years ago; "Jet-O". Going to the hospital and performing rather than just being a parent to one of the patients has been life-changing for me.

A long way of getting here from there: You'll be terrified to face those kids at first, but you'll walk away having gotten so much more from them than you can imagine.

God Bless,
Pete

I will accept your challenge at all chances I get. That is the true reward to our art.

Respect to you Jason, that's all I can say.

// Dennis in Sweden

Thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.
True magic begins with a child smile. God bless them all, and God bless you all.

Wow, your story is amazing. I wish Angel and you the best of luck. Magic really is about the smiles!

Jason,

Thanks for reminding us that Magic is more than just tricks. It really is an escape into another land if just for a moment. Thanks for your post.

I do the same as you several times a year. I am also a member of IBM.
In Midsummer Eve I will do a show for handicapped children.
A special regard to your daughter from Sweden.

Rolf Isberg

I have never been to this area of the Café ever. It is in fact my first time here and I read something that moved me. I always thought and beleived that I could never perform magic for children {though I have one kid myself}. I am going to change my thinking from now on.
You inspired me Jason. And of course a Warm welcome to the Café and do enjoy yourself.

Jason-

What an inspirational introduction & great challenge for us entertainers

We tend to forget about the moment we can make someone smile & forget about all the problems

I accept your challenge & thanks for reminding me why I still love this art-cheers!!

-Brent

Way to give hope when hope is needed!

Greeting's Jason,
Welcome to the Café.....You are an EXCELLENCE example of my signature quote... The pay is not much, But the retirement plan is out of this world { HEAVEN } God Bless... SonSHINE I.B.M. # 123

Jason, welcome and GOD speed your daughter to full recovery!!!!

Thank you all for your kind words and as of yet my daughter is in full remission and has been for about 1 & 1/2 years. she still goes once a month for tests and stll does chemo therapy every day but she is strong. she is so excited about summer break. this will be her first summer since she was 5 that she can play outside and go swimming and play like a normal child. She amazes me.Again God bless you all and thank you for your encouragement. When I posted this message I had no Idea that it would touch this many lives.