ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Today, I did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge.

The reason I wanted to do it, was three-fold:

  • To help raise money for finding a cure for ALS.
  • To help raise the profile of ALS, as one of the cruelest and most insidious diseases.
  • To share the words and journey of Carla Zilber-Smith, who I went to school with, and who documented her fight with ALS in a Blog.

Some folks have issues with how this campaign is being done… how it wastes water… and how it is “easy” to dump a bucket of ice over your head, and “be absolved”.

Carla Smith - Magee High School Class of 1980
Carla Zilbersmith - CarlaMuses.Blogspot.com
Challenge Completed - Bob Gray having completed the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge - #ALSIceBucketChallenge

What isn’t easy — is shining a light on a disease that takes away your muscle control, your voice, and eventually, your ability to breathe.

If “wasting” a bucket of water, will make more people aware, and raise money for research… then I will gladly skip a shower, and go thirsty for a few days.

Moreover, I believe if you go and read the posts that Carla wrote before she lost her battle, you cannot look at the disease the same way.

http://CarlaMuses.Blogspot.ca

Above is a picture of Carla, when she graduated from Magee High School in 1980.

And here is a picture of her, from her blog, when she was confined to a wheelchair.

Please take a few minutes to read Carla’s blog, and if you are able to donate, or to inspire someone to donate… please do!

You can join us in donating to the ALS Society of BC, at ALSBC ca

Will YOU accept the #Challenge?