How annoying that we can't seem to find those quizzes we were taking to find out which Saved By the Bell character we most resemble. How annoying that we can't seem to find any of the gossip on what one of our old classmates from middle school is up to because all we see are videos. How annoying that we, ourselves, our getting nominated and being asked to dump an ice cold bucket of water over our head and/or donate to the cause.
How annoying that anyone thinks this is actually going to solve anything.
Obviously, I'm being sarcastic. But, in all seriousness, as someone who has lost a loved one to a disease without a cure I'll tell you what IS annoying...
It's super "annoying" to watch your loved one lay in a hospital bed and know that there is nothing you can do to save or help them.
It's horrifically "annoying" to stand by and watch your loved one slowly deteriorate and know that they don't have much time left.
It's terribly "annoying" to wonder if each holiday is going to be the last you are going to celebrate with them.
It's "annoying" beyond understanding to watch someone who was once vibrant and the life of the party become completely dependent on everyone around them.
And it's incomprehensibly "annoying" to get a call in the middle of the night that your loved one is passing and they are barely 57 years old.
So, then, IS IT really annoying to have a bunch of people, from all over the world, participate in something to bring awareness?
I've heard multiple people from my hairstylist, to my friends, to my family, to just random people in conversation mention how this isn't going to solve anything. "How does dumping water over your head and looking stupid help cure a disease?" "I can't believe celebrity "X" did it. Don't they have $100 to donate?" "I'm not doing that! I don't want to have to do my hair again and be cold. I hate being cold." "I'm so over it."
THAT'S NOT THE POINT PEOPLE!!!!!
WAKE UP!!!!!
Is dumping water over your head going to cure the disease? NO. We aren't stupid. But you know what it has done? It's got a lot of people talking about a disease (and diseases in general) that were pretty much out of the realm of conversation these days. It has shown support for people who ARE fighting this disease every day. It has sent out a message to those afflicted individuals and their families that WE CARE. WE STAND BY YOU. YOU'RE NOT ALONE.
That message is all someone wants/needs to hear when their loved one is battling something of this magnitude. If you every don't know what to say to someone in this situation just tell them: I can't imagine what you are going through, but I want you to know you are not alone. That's what dumping ice water over your head symbolizes.
You can't believe such and such celebrity did it, don't they have $100 to donate instead? Do your research, people. All of the celebrities who have participated in the challenge are donating money as well. In fact, most people who have dumped the water on their head donate in addition to the ice water. Instead of just donating the money, they are using their star power to lead by example and show people that this is a cause worth being a part of.
You don't want to have to do your hair again and be cold? I literally have no response to this one because it is just unfathomable that someone would actually say this...but they have. No words. No comment.
You're so over it????? Really? I'm sure people with ALS and other diseases are "over" the whole experience they are going through, too! I'm sure they are "over" having to be dressed and fed and not be able to walk. I'm sure they are "over" having people stare at them and start to whisper. I'm sure they are "over" the feeling of knowing they are going to die. And YOU'RE "over" the experience?
Maybe it's cause I've been there. Maybe it's caused I've watched an incurable disease take my mom away that I have changed my outlook and can see the other side of things. Maybe it's cause I've completely changed and reordered my life since she passed, but I want this world to change too. I want us to change the way we think and see things.
WHY ARE WE SO CYNICAL!?!?! People are dying every day and we, as a society, can't let a phenomenon like this that is raising money and awareness for a good cause, pass without putting in our 2 cents about how stupid it is?
I'm not attempting to persuade those of you who feel "annoyed" by the challenge to participate, or to donate...but what I am saying is this. By going on social media site and ranting about how annoying and stupid this challenge is, you are, in essence, countering the good intentions behind those participating. You are saying to those who are suffering that their CAUSE is stupid and annoying. You are telling them that you'd rather have it be out of sight out of mind. You don't have to participate, but don't rip the cause apart. You are making yourselves look small minded and inconsiderate, and it's sad because the people I've heard say these things are actually some of the funniest, nicest people I know, but that's not how you are coming across to others.
Just as an insight into what families with people with ALS think of the ice bucket challenge you can read this blogpost: http://www.bostern.com/blog/2014/08/15/what-an-als-family-really-thinks-about-the-ice-bucket-challenge/
I'm going to end with this....
To those of you going through ALS, have lost someone to ALS or are currently supporting someone fighting ALS, know this: You are in our prayers and thoughts. We care and stand by you and want to see this horrible disease be eradicated. Be strong and faithful and never lose hope, even in the darkest of times. You aren't alone. There's always a light...who knew that light would come in the form of an ice cube?
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