Tweeting For Life: Ramping Up the Mush on Social Media
Remember the lucky five kids across the world who received Willie Wonka’s secret golden tickets in the candy bars?
Remember the Miracle at Dunkirk, where over 338,000 Allied soldiers were rescued because of unusually calm seas in the English Channel?
Remember in the movie Racing Stripes, when “Stripes” the plunky zebra, through tons of adversity, endured the ridicule of the race horses, trained through fear and trepidation, and sprinted past the others going down the stretch to win the Kentucky Derby and I cried?
Well, those are NOTHING BISCUITS compared to my amazing good fortunes during the past week. And I am not kidding!
Some of you might have been watching Ch. 39 News last Friday night when Leticia Juarez did a story about my search for a potential kidney donor.
As a result, several people have come forward – a few of them with GUSTO – who are willing to be screened. <gulp!!>
It was all kind of surreal how it came about; but one thing is clear: social media and networking have provided a gigantic lift. Even though my mom credits God, prayer, and the “Blessed Mother” (whom I understand is either Sinead O’Connor or Madonna, right?) – I must also tip my cap to humble little social media.
The use of Facebook and Twitter hasn’t been a Hail Mary type strategy. It wasn’t like, “Oh my God, I need a kidney, and now I’ve got to start building a social media strategy, gain tons of followers – fast – and hope for the best!” No, that would have come across like the guy who follows you from @POWERMatrixPLUSSupplements and then sends you creepy auto DMs (direct messages) about creatine-glazed pectoral muscles, the importance of testicle tone, and how he hopes you’ll visit his (eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!) website for a 20% discount).
Instead, I have invested time in social media, which means I have invested time in listening, conversing, encouraging, laughing, crying, even conspiring with others. It’s not like these have been my best friends; yet they are crucial! You never know when you might need to tap 500-600 people, who may then be able to tap 5000-10,000 or even 4 million! I am not exaggerating.
See, I befriended and followed Jay “Guns & Tacos” Rascoe on Twitter. Jay is a great blogger and – it turns out – a great human being, and it’s not just because he smuggled in some tacos to me at the hospital. Through Jay I found another blogger/realtor/sarcastic type named Danelle Guilbeau. She is fanatical about helping people.
Stay with me, here. Danelle is connected on Twitter with Kristy Gillentine and Letty Juarez at 39 News Houston, TX. Through that connection, Letty contacted me about my story, and NAILED THE HEART OF IT. I couldn’t have scripted that any better.
As a result of the news story, my facebook page is blowing up; people have been pounding down my door like zombies attacking a summer cabin full of promiscuous teenagers. They’re offering me support, encouragement, and major organs. HUH?? WOW!!
So, what’s the point?
First, I’m grateful for loving, generous, people whom I never would have found without social media. It could well have saved my life.
Yet, there are still intelligent people (I’m looking at you, Dave Ramsey) who call Twitter users “Twits” and offer “Pshaws” with a dismissive wave of the hand. “I don’t CARE what everyone had on their sandwich at lunch!” But you know what? Sometimes, I DO want to know what the people I follow have for lunch. I DO care about what to order on my taco truck taco. I DO care that Danelle drinks day old coffee (GROSS), so maybe if I send her a gift someday, it’ll be a programmable coffee maker. Even though these aren’t essentials, it’s part of the whole picture. Anything less than genuine reciprocity in a relationship comes off as mechanical or selfish.
My friend Shawn has it right. You ought to treat the use of social media like a cocktail party. If you talk to people, ask good questions. Listen, think, respond thoughtfully. Don’t push anything. Pay compliments. Have fun. Imagine walking into a cocktail party (or, heaven forfend, a networking event) and you just start with, “Oh, you’ve GOT to hear about my new pectoral tonic.” Everyone groans.
So amid a long, bitter war with lupus, I’ve just had some amazing, giant, happy, balloons of good fortune bursting all over the place. Thanks to all of you who are making it happen, even those of you I have yet to meet.
Jun 29, 2010
Glad things are looking up. Keep up the good work!
Jun 29, 2010
thank you sir!
Jun 29, 2010
I’m sooo excited for you and your family. I’m one of your parents’ classmates. I have o+ blood if needed, and so are my sons. I’m in NJ, but I’m pretty sure some kind of electronic transfer between blood banks can happen. In the meantime, I’m also continuing the God, prayer and the Blessed MOther part, too. Very best of luck!
Jun 29, 2010
Kay – wow – a long distance THANK YOU!
Jun 29, 2010
I’m so excited for you!! I can’t thank you enough for the kind words. You are such a great person, husband, father and friend. I am looking forward to your “after kidney-transplant” par-tay that I fully intend to throw for you!!
Jun 29, 2010
Thank you so much for the kind words… and this is such GREAT news! I’m so happy I was able to get you in touch with Letty, and it was our pleasure to do the story. I’m pleased as a peach it worked out that our viewers want to help too! PLEASE keep us posted on your search, and keep in touch! I’m sure the support will continue to grow and grow and grow… Best wishes to you and your family
Jun 29, 2010
Awesome Kris & Danelle!
Jun 29, 2010
Great news Jeff! I’ll be spreading the word and following your progress.
Jun 30, 2010
JET:
Troglodyte checking in. Nice stuff. Have fun in Sodom/Gommorah.
Very anxious about next week’s appt c. Doc Neph.
Pop-pop
P.S. I’ll check out frog drain on Thor’s day p. lesson c. Joey
Branham.
Jun 30, 2010
Jeff,
What great writing and great news! You deserve many, many more “happy balloons of good news!” I really admire you and for whatever it’s worth regarding FB, TWit and the like – you’ve made me a believer.
E
Jun 30, 2010
THX ALL for your comments!
Jul 02, 2010
As a cadaver kidney transplant recpient. I want to say how happy I am for you. With all your pain and depression it really does make you crazy. Your sense of humor will help you so much. I was on dialysis for 3 yrs b-4 my transplant. I have never had moer terrible infections. Or been on the brink of death like I was. Then I got that call they had a kidney for me. The morning after my transplant I woke up and it was the most peaceful, warm, indiscribable feeling in the world. That a stranger would love their fellow man enough to give me this great gift.I accidentally found your FB page. I hope your morning after feeling comes very soon. And to potential donors. Thank you
Jul 05, 2010
Jeff,
Really glad it looks like you will get some relief with a new kidney. I have always admired your positive approach to everything – you really devour life. In the face of all the health problems you have managed to not let it change you – I’ve never seen you bitter. See you around the block.
Jul 06, 2010
John & Melody – thanks so much for the kind words. Encouragement is crucial – even in small bits . . . because I don’t always have the most positive / thankful outlook. Thanks again . . .