What is the ice bucket challenge?
Its simple: You pour a bucket of ice water over your head and challenge three other people to do this. It is done to raise funds for and awareness of ALS.
Who started it?
Pat Quinn was diagnosed with ALS last year. He reached out to Pete Frates, who is also diagnosed with ALS, “I want to see if we could connect and fight this thing together.” The two became friends and soon launched the ALS Ice bucket challenge that has gone viral.
What is ALS?
ALS is a progressively degenerative neurological disease that affects the neurons in the brain and the spine. It is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It begins with muscle weakness and stiffness and progresses from there. The disease is little understood and life expectancy is short just 2 to 5 years after diagnosis. There is no known cure for this disease.
What is the point of this?
The point is to raise awareness and raise funds. Both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer have benefitted from awareness and funds. The idea is to do the same for ALS. This campaign has gone viral and has been an extraordinary success. Just last week it was confined to the Boston area. It has now gone national all over the US in one week. Donations are already 10 times from past years levels and growing.
Can Yoga help?
Yoga can help reconnect an ALS patients disconnected body. Since 2002 Matthew Sanford is doing excellent work with adaptive yoga for people with disabilities.
What can I do to help?
Don’t wait for somebody to challenge you. Instead take this on and challenge your friends. Dontate money to ALS Association.
Related:
ALS Assoication