I salute you, Jim Beaver. You said it so well. I HIGHLY recommend that everyone click See More to absorb his entire story. Swallow your grumpy pride, and take his challenge: I have a friend named Bob Deyan. Bob is suffering from the disease known as ALS, once also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I also have a sizable number of Facebook friends who question the propriety of the current internet phenomenon known as the Ice-Bucket Challenge, wherein people video themselves dumping a bucket of ice water on their own heads in order to draw attention to the need for awareness and funds for both the treatment of ALS and the care of those who have it. I confess to being extremely annoyed with these questions and the attitude that seems to accompany them: “Isn’t this just showing off?” “Isn’t this merely lazy, narcissistic armchair activism?” “Isn’t there a better way to address this disease?” “Why don’t these people just write a check?” And most inane of all, “Isn’t this a great waste of water?” I’ve watched my dear friend Bob Deyan go in a matter of weeks from a vibrant, active, effective, and effervescent man of action to something very much like a newborn, unable to lift a finger in his own care or defense, unable to communicate his needs or emotions, unable to comfort those who love him and who live in dread of his decline. So it might not be surprising that my emotions are heavily invested in anything that might someday benefit him or the thousands who live in the same desperate straits. But forget my emotional investment and my pique (if that’s not too light a word) at those who disdain the meaning and effectiveness of the Ice-Bucket Challenge. Let me explain a few things that might, given a little actual thoughtful consideration, change a mind or two. 1. The Ice-Bucket Challenge isn’t just people dumping water on their heads. The challenge includes donating money and spreading the word. 2. The Ice-Bucket Challenge, far from being mere “showing off” or a waste of activism, has been one of the most successful fundraisers of the modern age. 3. ALS research and care facilities have taken in almost $16,000,000 (sixteen million dollars) in the past three weeks. The record for this period in years before the Ice-Bucket Challenge was $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars). The Ice-Bucket Challenge has generated roughly a 31,900% increase in donations over similar periods before the Challenge. 4. People “just writing a check” was what was happening before. Negative-31,900% before. You know, back when ALS only got $50,000 in such a period. 5. The amount of water “wasted” in these challenges is equivalent to considerably less than the average shower bath. And many people are using conservative measures with the water so it is not merely “wasted” in helping humanity. Bottom line, almost as much energy has gone into Facebook posts by people who think a 31,900% increase in donations isn’t worth the effort or the “showiness” as has gone into people doing the Challenge in the first place. So my challenge, separate from the Ice-Bucket Challenge is this: If you haven’t donated money to ALS research, keep your negative comments about those who are doing so to yourself. There are people who jump on the bandwagon and then there are people who dump on the bandwagon. If you want to dump on something, dump it on your head. Oh, and watch this: https://youtube/watch?v=yCoKB_tU9ng
Posted on: Tue, 19 Aug 2014 07:45:31 +0000
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