ice, ice baby!
This summer has experienced an unusual ice storm that has gone viral. Unless you are the bag lady who's been staying down the street, you've probably heard of the ALS ice bucket challenge. There have been various takes on the movement, and of course, some naysayers. This disease is AKA Lou Gehrig's disease, although he wasn't the first to acquire it, nor was he the one to discover it. This is horrible. It takes functioning, productive members of society and reduces them to something painful to watch.
This condition is a thief who has robbed us of actors http://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-michael-zaslow-dies/, dreamers http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/nyregion/charles-mcphee-dream-doctor-radio-host-dies-at-49.html?_r=0, locals http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3538336.shtml, athletes and many, many more http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-people-who-died-of-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/reference?page=1. It doesn't care if you're gay, straight, black, white, famous, or just getting by. If only we as a society could be this non-discriminating.
I've learned in my life that there is always someone who will be critical of even the best of intentions. Everyone's a critic! Maybe their parents ingrained in them to not play in the water for whatever reason. That's their problem and they will have to deal with it. However, there are a lot of people around the world who are having a blast with the challenge, being able to act like a child (there are never enough moments for us to do that), and I say don't spoil their fun.
Another complaint is "where does the money go?" In addition to research, people with ALS have needs that you and I can't imagine. Everything in your body has failed but your brain, but your body still has needs. Caregivers have needs. Insurance doesn't cover many of the daily living needs. If you have a moral problem with the source of the stem cells used in research, find a group that provides other needs and support them. Again, don't spoil the fun of the challenge.
In the meantime, ALSA.org (I will have to wait for payday, but something is coming from me too besides words).
This condition is a thief who has robbed us of actors http://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-michael-zaslow-dies/, dreamers http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/15/nyregion/charles-mcphee-dream-doctor-radio-host-dies-at-49.html?_r=0, locals http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3538336.shtml, athletes and many, many more http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-people-who-died-of-amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis/reference?page=1. It doesn't care if you're gay, straight, black, white, famous, or just getting by. If only we as a society could be this non-discriminating.
I've learned in my life that there is always someone who will be critical of even the best of intentions. Everyone's a critic! Maybe their parents ingrained in them to not play in the water for whatever reason. That's their problem and they will have to deal with it. However, there are a lot of people around the world who are having a blast with the challenge, being able to act like a child (there are never enough moments for us to do that), and I say don't spoil their fun.
Another complaint is "where does the money go?" In addition to research, people with ALS have needs that you and I can't imagine. Everything in your body has failed but your brain, but your body still has needs. Caregivers have needs. Insurance doesn't cover many of the daily living needs. If you have a moral problem with the source of the stem cells used in research, find a group that provides other needs and support them. Again, don't spoil the fun of the challenge.
In the meantime, ALSA.org (I will have to wait for payday, but something is coming from me too besides words).
posted by Miz @ 10:10 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home