Tonight I had intended to put up a post about my visit to the Opera National de Paris and provide a little back story for you but that has been put on hold temporarily 🙂
Why? you may ask, well as you know I find it very hard to resist a challenge, particularly one from one of my oldest friends Oscar White especially as he immersed himself in a bath full of freezing cold water for his ALS ice bucket challenge, he always was over the top lol. So when I finished my singing practise tonight and Dad finally found some ice (as everywhere was sold out!) I got changed and decided to give it a go.
The ice bucket challenge, social media’s latest craze, is designed to raise money and awareness for the neurodegenerative illness ALS. In an official letter this week, the ALS Association said: “Never before have been in a better position to fuel our fight against this disease. Increased awareness and unprecedented financial support will enable us to think outside the box.”
What is ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons degenerate and die which makes it increasingly difficult to move muscles.
When muscles aren’t used enough, they stop working. Sufferers begin to feel weak, especially in their arms, legs, and during speech, swallowing and breathing. As muscle tissue atrophies, limbs start to get smaller. In the later stages of the illness, patients may become totally paralysed.
There is no known cause of ALS, though there is a proven hereditary factor in some cases. In about 90 per cent of cases, nobody knows how or why the illness struck. There is also no known cure, though the millions being raised by the ALS association will go towards researching these great unknowns.
In the UK the illness is often referred to as motor neurone disease (MND), and the leading organisation is the Motor Neurone Disease Association. MacMillan Cancer Support are also taking donations.
In the US it is sometimes known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, named after the all-time great baseball player from the early 20th Century whose time at the top ended when he was stricken with the illness in 1939.
You can donate at The ALS Association
I know I’m being dim, but where does the ice bucket come in?
I’m not sure where the initial ice bucket idea came from. I don’t normally like chain requests, but Oscar’s challenge and the idea of helping raise awareness persuaded me.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Well done, Charlotte! How courageous!
I thought I’d got away with it because I missed a couple of nominations when I was in Paris. My Dad was like ‘do you think this is wise?’ so I must admit that was scarier than the cold water!
Best wishes
Charlotte
on behalf of my dearest cousin, Barbara who lost her battle with ALS only 3 years ago, I thank you for your generosity! <3
Thank you Annette, I believe the charity has raised $78 million so far thanks to this challenge, let’s hope they have a breakthrough.
Best wishes
Charlotte
That’s amazing, Charlotte.
Thanks Matt it was good fun 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
You were very brave and generous to do this. Wonderful background information. I do wonder what kind of shock to the brain a bucket of ice water must be, but one time can’t be that dangerous. Not for the timid! Soon, the story of the Paris gig?
I never thought about my brain :/ lol, I was more worried about getting a chill on my chest which my Dad generously pointed out wouldn’t be good. Yes I’ve nearly finished my Paris post.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congrats on doing a generous deed for all those who suffer. I have a friend who has ALS and suffers every. I pray for him and all who have this terrible illness! Xo
Thanks Janice, I read about a young man today who started with numb feelings in his hands and dropping things, he is encouraging the fundraising because our NHS (health service) is struggling with funds and people have to wait too long for wheelchairs so I hope some of the money is used to ease that situation too.
Best wishes to you and your friend,
Charlotte
Did you call out “get me out” at the end? 🙂 That was funny.
Yes, I think Mum had this plan, without telling me, that I’d stay in the shower and put the shower on to warm up but instead I just wanted to grab a towel and get out! 😀
Best wishes
Charlotte
Congratulations and well done! 🙂
Thanks Linda, I believe my friends have completed their challenge today too, can’t wait to see it.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Well done.
I just kept it simple John, just building my own awareness it’s been interesting to learn more about Motor Neurone, I knew of Stephen Hawkins but didn’t realise it was what he had.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I happened upon your blog via someone else. I just want to say thank you, not only for taking the challenge, but for also taking the time to jot a few facts down. My sister was diagnosed 3 years ago. The challenge is fun, but there is nothing fun about this horrific disease. Thank you!
It’s so important that lesser known charities are brought to attention, I had family members with Hunters Syndrome and their Mum and my cousin do lots of fundraising for the GEM appeal, even small donations make a difference.
Best wishes to you and your sister
Charlotte
I have an aunt with ALS, so we are well aware of the ice bucket challenge in my kneck of the woods. Ann
I think the idea started in the States. Hope you’re well Ann 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
I read that the ice bucket came into the challenge because the feeling of the ice water hitting your skin mimics the feeling of the nerve endings when one has the disease? Something like that anyway.
That makes sense, thank you 🙂
All the best
Charlotte
Do exercise help to combat ALS?
I don’t know enough about ALS Yoshiko but the man I read about today was a previously healthy gymnast.
Best wishes
Charlotte
No worries, Charlotte. I am just curious about ALS. Best wishes to you too ~ Yoshiko
Wow you’re so brave! Well done!
Compared to what serious, serial fundraisers do it’s not brave at all but if all I achieve is a small number of extra donations it’s worth it. Thanks for the well done 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
That’s such a classic, Charlotte! The funniest post I’ve seen in a long time, and in such a good cause. Thank you so much.
I’m glad you found it funny Marcus, my Mum certainly did!
Best wishes
Charlotte
Well played, Charlotte. Well played, indeed.
Thanks Milo, one of the funniest ALS videos I saw was a couple of guys and the nominated guy sat on a chair was talking about the charity and who he was nominating and when he finally said “ready” the man with the big bucket of icy water picked it up, stumbled and tipped it all over himself :D.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Brave lass. I couldn’t do it. I make a fuss when the swimming pool is below 28 degrees!
My Nana used to swim really early in the morning, but the water was always at the most chilly then so she had to stop, it is so important to have the right temperature to swim in. Did you get my e-mail?
Best wishes
Charlotte 🙂
In spite of the “cold shoulder” I want to bring your attention to the Huffposts Arts and Culture’s “14 Artists Who Are Transforming The Future Of Opera.” Hope you can open the below link to it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/20/opera-artists_n_5691781.html?utm_source=mail2&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=OperagatorAugust2014
PS. You are very cool!
Very interesting, thank you for giving me the link, just in time for the weekend 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thumbs-up, Charlotte. Stephen Hawking got into the ice bucket challenge as well!
Good on him, big thumbs up.
Best wishes
Charlotte
My paternal grandmother died with ALS. She was so weak at the end of her life she cold not swallow food. A terrible disease. My youngest grandson age 10 just did the ice bucket challenge as did my 21 year old granddaughter Joy. Good for you.
Hi Dianne, The increased awareness of my generation can’t do any harm, it was just an idea of the summer that took off because it was a bit of fun too, I think that with all the bad news on tv that people were relieved just to have a chuckle. It was very quick, instant, and over in one day for most people and I think that was the secret of the appeals success. Kudos to your grandchildren 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Yes, well done Charlotte. You did this in style, as always.
Thank you 🙂 it’s hard to look stylish with a bucket of water dumped on your head lol. Have a lovely weekend.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Thanks for the info. I have to admit I don’t follow social media outside of my blog. I kept hearing about the ice bucket challenge, but had no idea what it was about. I’m glad it is for such a great cause. I hope you’ve warmed up. 😀
I couldn’t do it outside because I was at work all day, then had a singing lesson so it was late, I had a warm shower afterwards I must admit because I was chilled 😀
Best wishes
Charlotte
Hilarious Charlotte, I knew you wouldn’t resist a challenge well done .xx
So glad you enjoyed it 😀 I very nearly nominated you but I was worried you’d catch a chill but it would be very funny he he.
Best wishes
Charlotte
The same as coins in the cup
But, she first gave herself
😉
Inspiriing!
There has been quite a craze about this challenge, it’s great that you have also mentioned about the reason why this challenge is taken and have enlightened people about a great cause. 😉 🙂
You really enjoyed the whole experience 😉 🙂
Thank you for following our blog and introducing us to yours!