It’s all over the news. Politicians are doing it, the Dropkick Murphys are doing it, the Boston Bruins are doing it, the Patriots are doing it…. Thanks to Pete Frates and Team Frate Train, ALS awareness is blowing up over social media. Every time I see a new video I thrust my phone in dad’s face to show him one more person giving a shoutout to ALS.
For those of you who may not be familiar, there is a challenge going around on Facebook where people are dumping buckets of ice water on themselves and calling out three friends to do the same, all in the name of charity. Team Frate Train immediately scooped up the challenge and began sharing the word about ALS. And awareness matters. The ALS Association and other ALS organizations have seen unprecedented increases in donations ever since the ice bucket challenge started. Those donations help affected families and fund research. No one knows what causes ALS, and there is no known cure. The average life expectancy after diagnoses is 2-5 years. We need research.
So mom dad and I have watched several friends, family members, and celebrities dump buckets of ice water on their heads, and we started to feel a little left out.
With a self nomination and two buckets of water, the ALS ice bucket challenge was brought to a whole new level when the badass ALS patient himself was drenched in ice water. You can watch the video here.
Initially, I offered to just dump the bucket on myself and let dad do all the talking. However, he immediately insisted he be included in the challenge, because he’s “not weak”. Nope, he certainly is not.
“I can’t stand by and watch everyone pour the ice on their heads without joining in myself”
Although ALS is robbing his body and his voice, it’s certainly not ruining his ability to have fun. Keep the awareness and the buckets flowing!
-G
What an amazing young woman you are – your message is truly inspiring and a realistic look into the horrors of the disease. We love your parents and grandparents and you all are in our thoughts and prayers everyday.
Thank you Gabby and Kreg for this awesome video. Kreg you are an incredibly brave man, I am touched to have had the opportunity to work with you ( at SNESC). I have to admit I skipped the ice and donated in your name instead!!!! Keep fighting, stay strong! XOXO
I just want to let you now how much you have touched me with your ice bucket video. What an amazing family you have. It is wonderful to see such love, courage, and humor. Thanks for sharing an intimate part of you life. I will keep you all in my thoughts.
Love this!!!!!! So inspiring to see your Dad’s spirit and strength as he and your family continue to fight this disease. A very good friend of mine passed two years ago from ALS one of the strongest ladies I knew. Right up until the time of her passing despite her pain and misery her spirit shown. She was concerned for others as your Dad is and was willing to go the extra mile to help. I am so happy to see your Dad smiling and laughing. He is right…he is not weak! His strength has helped someone else who has watched the video; his courage has inspired and carried someone over a hump they were experiencing. His selflessness has shown us the humanity of it all. God Bless you and your family. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
you are beautiful and wonderful and passionate. I am proud of you and I don’t even know you. I have so many people in my life that have done this challenge and I am going on their posts to tell them to donate and dump. not just dump. awareness is awesome but money is critical. I am happy for you that the world is learning about your dads disease- this way you will never feel like you are alone. But illness is lonely- and taking care of loved ones is hard – but I am so utterly amazed at your spirit. Enjoy your time with your family and be very proud. I hope we find cures for ALS and so many other diseases. stay strong but take care of yourself. And hug your mom and dad for all of us- what an incredible family.
I found you only this morning, one day after participating in the ice bucket challenge and sending my donation to ALS’s Northern New England Chapter. His courage and yours, your ice bucket challenge video, this blog…it’s all incredibly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your journey. There’s much to be learned from it. <3
You guys seem to have a really beautiful family & it’s really amazing to see you not let this disease ruin everything for you. Best of luck to all of you xoxo
Love it!