What you don't see with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I am sure you have seen the millions of ice bucket challenge videos that are going around right now. They are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and the list goes on. What you see are people being willing to freeze for just a few moments to raise awareness for a disease that few people really know about. What the videos do not show is the full effect of Lou Gherig's Disease.

What exactly is ALS?

ALS stands for Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but most people know it as Lou Gehrig's Disease. While Lou Gehrig was not the first person to be diagnosed with the disease, in fact it was found 70 years earlier, he brought international attention to the condition. It is a progressive disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord's nerve cells. The continued degeneration of the nerves cause an early death … but not before the inability to control the muscles occurs. Patients near the end stages of ALS are often paralyzed.

Amyotrophic means No Muscle Nourishment. Without the nourishment to your muscles, the muscles will atrophy. It becomes impossible to move, speak, or eat. There is currently no cure for the disease. Just recently, the FDA approved Riluzole that barely slows the progression; however, it is a start. Anthony tells a little about the disease on his YouTube channel.

So, yes ... I did the challenge. Yes ... I am also donating money. I have a different challenge though!