The Westin Convention Center – Pittsburgh

Could anything convince you to rappel down the side of a 27-story building?

If you are not familiar with the word rappel, then you might want to look up the definition before you answer today’s question. The verb rappel means to descent by means of a rappel. As a noun the word rappel means:

(in mountaineering) the act or method of moving down a steep incline or past an overhang by means of a double rope secured above and placed around the body, usually under the left thigh and over the right shoulder, and paid out gradually in the descent.

So, with this definition in mind, would you agree to rappel down the side of 27-story building…for a good cause?

CBS Pittsburgh reports on The Shatterproof Challenge

On July 15, 2014, CBS Pittsburgh reported: Dozens Rappel Down Westin Hotel To Raise Addiction Awareness.

If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can see it here.

This event was a fundraiser sponsored by a relatively new organization called Shatterproof whose goal is to end the stigma of addiction. Shatterproof founder Gary Mendell told CBS Pittsburgh:

“Bring it out of the closet, bring it away from the shame and stigma. Get people talking about it. This is a disease, and I’m really excited because that’s what’s happening today. We are talking about it on the roof. We are talking about it at the base of the building.”
 

Let’s learn more about Shatterproof

Shatterproof – Stronger than addiction has a vision…

an America transformed … an America where parents possess critical resources and information early on to protect their children from the clutches of addiction, where leading academic research is applied in the real-world, where addiction is treated like a chronic disease – not a choice, and where families struggling with the disease of addiction no longer face discrimination and judgment, but instead are treated with compassion and given the resources they need to heal.

Shatterproof – Stronger than addiction has a mission…

Shatterproof is a new national organization committed to protecting our children from addiction to alcohol or other drugs and ending the stigma and suffering of those affected by this disease.

We hope you will take some time to learn more about Shatterproof (originally known as Brian’s Wish)and its founder Gary Mendell. Mr. Mendell is like many parents and family members who have struggled to help their loved one find recovery from the disease of addiction. He, too, knows that the first step is to strip away the stigma of addiction and to start the conversation. Many times the conversation starts in a Family Program, when for the first time family members realize they are not alone and they don’t have to travel this road by themselves.

If you think you might like to take The Shatterproof Challenge …

Ok, maybe you won’t be able to actually rappel from the side of a building…but you might be able to help sponsor an event. Learn more about The Shatterproof Challenge and see if there is an event in your area.

We started today’s post discussing the meaning of the word rappel. In the World English Dictionary rappel formerly referred to a drumbeat to call soldiers to arms from the French word rappeler to call back, from the Latin appellāre to summon.

Why not find out more about Mr. Mendell’s call to arms…he is challenging and inviting all of us to undertake this course of action…let’s end the stigma of addiction.