Spin Cycle

Readers offer icy opinions on last week's ALS column

Last week, I shared my thoughts about the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, headline: "Facts toss cold water on grouch."

"Don't get me wrong; I'm all for raising consciousness and funds for a worthy organization. But this challenge ... has some seriously soggy logic," I wrote about the social media-spurred sensation in which people dare friends to dump a bucket of ice water on their heads within 24 hours ... or donate $100 to the ALS Association (dedicated to curing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease).

I continued: "On my Facebook news feed, I've seen not one check-writing video (too boring)? But I've seen countless videos of well-meaning celebrities and friends splashing and squealing in this modern, modest version of a wet-T-shirt contest. How exactly is this healing the sick?"

At the end, I conceded "It appears I'm the one who is all wet," as the challenge contributed to some $13.3 million of donations -- now up to $88.5 million (!) as of press time.

Still, I got a bucket of emails in response -- several of them icy. Here are some of the unedited responses.

...

As a ALS sufferer I did not appreciate your levity toward my condition. I truly appreciate any effort to bring attention to helping find a cure for this fatal disease. I suppose you feel that the Komen Race for the Cure is a frivolous cry for attention? I hope neither you our any member of your family or friends ever experience the devastation of a ALS diagnosis or the heartbreak of knowing you will soon be leaving your family.

...

Sometimes humor is all we have when faced with such a devastating disease.

While I do not have ALS, I do have another type of Muscular Dystrophy, MMD- somewhat rare, and it is extremely debilitating. Tying shoes, rising off the toilet, turning a doorknob, cutting my own food, to name a few but certainly not a whole list, of the simple things I used to take for granted, I now wish I could do. My scooter days are in the near future.

Not only is this ice bucket challenge raising awareness but it denotes compassion, creates empathy and gives many of us challenged individuals emotional support with a generous helping of humor. We are blessed, despite the naysayers.

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Dear Ms. Christman, I think your first coloum for this newspaper was your best. After that its 90percent whinefest. Occaisionally you'll say something I wish I did. This week just tears it. People are enjoying some good, positive, and happy news. Look around you, people are killing innocent people as fast as they can. Politicians sling mud endlessly, never telling us what they'll try to do. There is hate everywhere. So some folks dump ice water buckets and donate money to ALS research. WAH-WAH, JENNIFER'S WHINING AGAIN. Personally I can think of 3 people who have it:Lou Gehrig, "Tuesdays With Morrie"professor, Dr. Steven Hawking. I guess if its not for breast cancer (and no other cancer) research its not worth your precious time. There, I said my peace. Have a good day.

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Jennifer, I was a hospice volunteer for a patient with ALS. We were together for 3 years before she died in 2012.

She would've loved the ice bucket challenge because ALS dumped on her! :-) Now others are getting dumped on too.

Thanks for reminding me of my beautiful friend, Leigh.

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Having just been diagnosed with ALS in June of this year I found your article extremely insensitive and without merit. God forbid that you should loose the use of your legs or arms. How would you feel then? It's a small miracle that within the last few weeks this awful disease has gained the recognition that it has needed to make the population aware of it's drastic effects. Up until now ALS research has been extremely underfunded, now the "Ice Bucket Challenge" has not only brought much need recognition but also much needed research dollars. As as ALS person I challenge you to take the "Ice Bucket Challenge" and donate $100 or more. Otherwise your last line is right "you are the one who is all wet" and I'll add "clueless"!

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To Tom who sent the last email: I've accepted your challenge -- the dry part -- and sent a $100 donation to ALS via alsa.org in your honor.

Email:

jchristman@arkansasonline.com

Spin Cycle is (well, usually) a weekly smirk at pop culture.

Style on 08/31/2014

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