Spreading Awareness Through Rap
Don protégé
******Please read my blog explaining my fundraising efforts******: http://platosplaydoh.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/a-new-journey-begins/
My name is Russell Lehmann, I am 23-years-old and I have autism. In 2011 I self-published a book entitled "Inside Out: Stories and Poems from an Autistic Mind". It touched the lives of so many people around the world who are either autistic themselves or know of someone who is, as well as those who just wanted to become more familiar with the disorder. It was read by many celebrities including actor Joe Mantegna, Real Houswife of New Jersey Jacqueline Laurita and Miss New Jersey Brielle LaCosta. Additionally, it was written up in the LA Times, Reno Gazette-Journal, countless online publications and has been featured on many news stations. It also received an Honorable Mention at the New York Book Festival and earned the INAPA Award under the category of Literary Arts.
All the marketing for my book I did myself, and now, I am on a different venture. As of this moment, there is no turning back, I will succeed in my efforts.
As I mentioned above, I have autism, and I have spent my whole life wondering what kind of career would suit my unique lifestyle. A few weeks ago, after much pondering and contemplation, I determined that spreading not only autism awareness, but awareness of mental health in general is what I wanted, nay, needed to do. I have spent many nights wondering by which means I would conduct this awareness. Should I write another book? Become a Spoken Word artist? A motivational speaker? A mental health columnist? Then I realized something. What is one thing that everybody loves and that everybody has the time for? Music!
My goal as of now is to become a rapper who generates mental health awareness and who will lead the fight to defeat stigmas for people of all types. It is my strong-held belief that becoming a rapper is the best way to reach the largest amount of people.
DONATE NOW TO HELP ME USE RAP AS A MEANS FOR GOOD!
I have lived an excruciatingly hard life, suffering from not only autism, but severe depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder, borderline anorexia and bi-polar disorder.
Currently, I am struggling trying to find a career as a writer. Below are some excerpts from my blog:
"I realized that being alone gave me the chance to think and to learn, so I pondered about relationships, life, death, everything under the sun, while I crammed my brain full of knowledge, for knowledge is the one thing that can be given to you, but never taken away. Instead of rotting in my loneliness, I blossomed."
"I saw a movie the other night. The movie was titled “Girl, Interrupted”, and it brought back memories. Awful memories. Memories of what my life was like when my very essence was ripped from the fibers of my body. Memories of when the fundamental nature of who I was shattered within me, piercing my viscera with the shards of who I once was. It brought back the unbearable feelings of being emotionally and psychologically mutilated, of being mentally raped and of being spiritually murdered."
"Perhaps the most infuriating element of being lonely is that people don’t understand how truly devastating and detrimental it is. The pain that stems from it is excruciating. My soul, the very essence of who I am, frenetically writhes as it is cast aflame by the smoldering remains of what my life could have been, what my life should have been, and is stoked by what my life is."
"All in all, I will stick to my principles and stand by my values. I will conduct myself professionally and grant an abundant amount of courtesy to others, even if they do not deserve it. I will live to be the admirable man that I want to be, regardless of where it may get me in life. I cannot and will not change who I am, for my ideology is ingrained within me.
And so I say to you this:
My standards can go to Hell, but I will be with them every step of the way."
I am reaching out to you to ask you for a favor that I truly believe would mutually benefit the sufferers of mental illness and physical disabilites, young and old music listeners alike, and me. I would love to become a rapper and to share my story with you. It is a n icredible story filled with inspiration, devotion, perseverance and love. I trust that through music I could bring a new-found awareness to all kinds of important issues.
Here is my blog: http://platosplaydoh.wordpress.com/
My website to learn more about me:
http://www.autisticpoet.com/
My Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/Russell_Lehmann
My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lehmann.Russell?ref=hl
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/RussellLehmann (I will be uploading some raps very soon)
A donation of any amount would not go unappreciated. Together, let's make this world a better place!
My Very Best,
Russell Lehmann
P.S. Last year the rapper J. Cole handed out an insult to autistics in one of his songs. I responded to him with a Spoken Word poem, and, while not a rap, it went viral on WorldStar HipHop. J. Cole issued a formal apology a few days later.
Here is the link: http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh87849NL2f3LB34Ek
My name is Russell Lehmann, I am 23-years-old and I have autism. In 2011 I self-published a book entitled "Inside Out: Stories and Poems from an Autistic Mind". It touched the lives of so many people around the world who are either autistic themselves or know of someone who is, as well as those who just wanted to become more familiar with the disorder. It was read by many celebrities including actor Joe Mantegna, Real Houswife of New Jersey Jacqueline Laurita and Miss New Jersey Brielle LaCosta. Additionally, it was written up in the LA Times, Reno Gazette-Journal, countless online publications and has been featured on many news stations. It also received an Honorable Mention at the New York Book Festival and earned the INAPA Award under the category of Literary Arts.
All the marketing for my book I did myself, and now, I am on a different venture. As of this moment, there is no turning back, I will succeed in my efforts.
As I mentioned above, I have autism, and I have spent my whole life wondering what kind of career would suit my unique lifestyle. A few weeks ago, after much pondering and contemplation, I determined that spreading not only autism awareness, but awareness of mental health in general is what I wanted, nay, needed to do. I have spent many nights wondering by which means I would conduct this awareness. Should I write another book? Become a Spoken Word artist? A motivational speaker? A mental health columnist? Then I realized something. What is one thing that everybody loves and that everybody has the time for? Music!
My goal as of now is to become a rapper who generates mental health awareness and who will lead the fight to defeat stigmas for people of all types. It is my strong-held belief that becoming a rapper is the best way to reach the largest amount of people.
DONATE NOW TO HELP ME USE RAP AS A MEANS FOR GOOD!
I have lived an excruciatingly hard life, suffering from not only autism, but severe depression, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), body dysmorphic disorder, borderline anorexia and bi-polar disorder.
Currently, I am struggling trying to find a career as a writer. Below are some excerpts from my blog:
"I realized that being alone gave me the chance to think and to learn, so I pondered about relationships, life, death, everything under the sun, while I crammed my brain full of knowledge, for knowledge is the one thing that can be given to you, but never taken away. Instead of rotting in my loneliness, I blossomed."
"I saw a movie the other night. The movie was titled “Girl, Interrupted”, and it brought back memories. Awful memories. Memories of what my life was like when my very essence was ripped from the fibers of my body. Memories of when the fundamental nature of who I was shattered within me, piercing my viscera with the shards of who I once was. It brought back the unbearable feelings of being emotionally and psychologically mutilated, of being mentally raped and of being spiritually murdered."
"Perhaps the most infuriating element of being lonely is that people don’t understand how truly devastating and detrimental it is. The pain that stems from it is excruciating. My soul, the very essence of who I am, frenetically writhes as it is cast aflame by the smoldering remains of what my life could have been, what my life should have been, and is stoked by what my life is."
"All in all, I will stick to my principles and stand by my values. I will conduct myself professionally and grant an abundant amount of courtesy to others, even if they do not deserve it. I will live to be the admirable man that I want to be, regardless of where it may get me in life. I cannot and will not change who I am, for my ideology is ingrained within me.
And so I say to you this:
My standards can go to Hell, but I will be with them every step of the way."
I am reaching out to you to ask you for a favor that I truly believe would mutually benefit the sufferers of mental illness and physical disabilites, young and old music listeners alike, and me. I would love to become a rapper and to share my story with you. It is a n icredible story filled with inspiration, devotion, perseverance and love. I trust that through music I could bring a new-found awareness to all kinds of important issues.
Here is my blog: http://platosplaydoh.wordpress.com/
My website to learn more about me:
http://www.autisticpoet.com/
My Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/Russell_Lehmann
My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lehmann.Russell?ref=hl
My Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/RussellLehmann (I will be uploading some raps very soon)
A donation of any amount would not go unappreciated. Together, let's make this world a better place!
My Very Best,
Russell Lehmann
P.S. Last year the rapper J. Cole handed out an insult to autistics in one of his songs. I responded to him with a Spoken Word poem, and, while not a rap, it went viral on WorldStar HipHop. J. Cole issued a formal apology a few days later.
Here is the link: http://www.worldstarhiphop.com/videos/video.php?v=wshh87849NL2f3LB34Ek
Organisateur
Russell Autistic Poet Lehmann
Organisateur
Cold Springs, NV
