ALS Ice bucket challenge/my video

My Uncle James (pictured with his sister)  lost to ALS 03/04/05

So this weekend was incredibly busy. I had two parties back to back. I am still coming down from all the planning and prepping. It was a great weekend and we were blessed with beautiful weather both days. Needless to say I had no time for posting. Today I wanted to post about the ALS challenge that I am sure most of you have been seeing around social media. It was started by a man named Peter Frates. He is one of the many unfortunate people out there battling this disease. If you do not know what ALS or "Lou Gerhigs" disease is, basically it is a disease in your nerve cells in your spinal cord and brain that control voluntary movement. As it attacks it shuts down all muscle movement, paralyzing your whole body and eventually stopping your breathing. It is a horrible disease that I have witnessed first hand. I lost my uncle at the very young age of 40 to this disease in 2005. It was sad for many reasons, but more so because this was a man that was always on the go. Always doing something, fixing something, working on something, fishing, hanging out with his kids, etc...one of the nicest men you ever had the pleasure of knowing. My dads best friend and father of two awesome kids. It is hard to even talk about without tears forming. 

The ALS ice bucket challenge was started by Pete as I mentioned, and has swept across this country like crazy. Everyone is doing it, from us small town folk to police stations, fire stations, school teachers and even celebrities! I was nominated by my aunt and of course I accepted. I want to talk about the rules. There is no doubt that this has helped raise awareness as well as money. Fox news reported yesterday that in just 14 days, 1.35 million dollars have been raised for ALS research. In 2013 22,00 was raised in the same time frame. HOW INSANE AND AWESOME!! I have been seeing tons of videos on facebook of people taking the challenge and while it is wonderful, a lot of people are forgetting to explain the rules. This challenge is not just about seeing who will dump the ice bucket before the 24 hours is up. There is more to it.

If you are nominated, you have 24 hours to make a donation of 10$ and dump the bucket. If you decline the challenge, you are supposed to donate 100$. Basically in order to spend less you have to dump the bucket. Really though, any donation you can afford helps out. The ice is just a fun way to get people talking about it and donating. So, if accepted, get someone to film you. Get your bucket of cold water and a bag of ice. Here is the important part...YOU MUST EXPLAIN WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS. Please, do not just say you have accepted the challenge, your nominations and then dump. The whole point is missed. Explain what the charity is for, that you are donating or have donated (and please actually donate) then say who you nominate (at least 5 people) then go ahead and dump away!! 

To some this whole thing may seem silly, but to those that have witnessed what this awful disease can do, this is all so incredible. So, make your donation and then decide if the ice is for you. If you do not plan on donating anything, then do not bother with the challenge, because then it is meaningless. 

If anyone needs a page to donate to, here are two of my family members who will be doing the NH walk to Defeat ALS for the 10th year in a row. I cant believe it will be ten years in March that we lost my uncle. I pray that this disease meets its fate in my life time. Thanks everyone! (My video is posted below)



1.   http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/NorthernNewEngland?px=3509670&pg=personal&fr_id=10181#.U-pAiKP_mvP

2.    http://web.alsa.org/site/TR/Walks/NorthernNewEngland?px=1395381&pg=personal&fr_id=10181#.U-pAsaP_mvN