Help, Help Help... my iPad (the original one) and all of a sudden I cannot open programs and use them... as soon as they open or almost open, it closes... and I can't even find my kindle books anymore...

You may reset or restore your iPad for a try, this can fix many general iPad problems.

Resetting should work. If not wipe the iPad and reinstall the IOS in recovery mode here are some good instructions make sure you are backed up.