This past week Carlos Coello has shown the FIU community the ability to have dedication and love for such a beautiful philanthropy, the Ability Experience. His hard work to raise money and awareness for the Ability Experience has been the perfect example on how to give with no limits and give it your all. Here is what he had to say about the cause that he holds so near to his heart, his goals for this philanthropy, and how we all have the ability to make a difference.
Name: Carlos Coello
Age: 21
Year: Junior
Major: Public Relations and Event Management
- What are you involved with on campus?
I serve on the booster committee as a Moral Captain for the Children’s Miracle Network Florida International University’s Dance Marathon. Most importantly however, I am a brother of Pi Kappa Phi and service on the Executive Board as the Director of Service, which involves working year round to represent our philanthropy, The Ability Experience wile raising awareness and funds for those with disabilities.
- What is the Ability Experience?
The Ability Experience is a non profit organization started by the gentlemen of Pi Kappa Phi in 1977, and has helped raise awareness and funds for people with all sorts of disabilities. Formally known as PUSH America (Play Units for the Severely Handicapped), The Ability experience is the only Philanthropy that is run by brothers of a greek organization, which is hands dow the most rewarding part being able to see exactly where your hard works and efforts are going. The Ability Experience has not only opened my eyes to how lucky some of us are, but it has opened my heart for the love of philanthropy. Prior to my work with TAE I had no true concept of philanthropy it was through my hard efforts and dedication that I realized that being a part of this was something bigger than myself. TAE has given me more than I could’ve ever asked for.
- What have you done to fundraise for the Ability Experience this past week?
Last week we had the privilege to host our 4th annual War of the Roses, a competition in which sororities and one representative from their chapter competes to represent our philanthropy. Throughout this week we hold a series of events that spread a message of acceptance for those with disabilities while raising funds that will be used to make everyday living possible for such people.
- What goals do you have for this philanthropy?
One of my main goals for this philanthropy is to take it above and beyond and spread the word for acceptance in out society, so that people may one day see what this wonderful Philanthropy has done for me, and why I hold it so near to my heart. With acceptance comes understanding, and that is the ultimate goal here, for our society to cut all derogatory words associated with disabilities from their vocabulary.
- What advice can you give readers to help spread the word to end the word?
The R word is predominately thrown around today as if it has no serious meaning. In my with my time in Pi Kappa and working with TAE, I have realized the negativity and hurtfulness that comes with using this word and that is why my ultimate goal is to spread the word to end the word. My biggest advice to people is that none of us are perfect and we are all born different. Some of us are more fortunate than others and that’s okay because when we work together and strive for a common goal, our abilities have no boundaries.