Jarod's ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I know there are many views on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge phenomenon, mine included, but we can all agree to disagree on this.  I know many love seeing the videos, many others cringe when they see just one more on their "newsfeed". My personal feeling is that my donation is more important than dumping ice water on my head and there are also some health issues I have that I am not willing to make worse by doing such, so I made a donation to ALS. I say KUDOS for how much awareness this campaign has brought ALS and how much money it has raised in hopes of a cure, PHENOMENAL! I know that I would love to live in a world that was free of ALL diseases, hoping and praying for a cure for each and every devastating disease out there.

Whether you find the challenge fun to do, or just want your 15 minutes of fame, or you do the challenge and donate, or do the challenge in order to get out of donation, it's your choice. We all have a choice and certainly shouldn't be put down for participating or not participating.  Do your research and follow your heart.

While CHD Awareness and the hope that there will someday be a cure for congenital heart defects (CHD's) and not just a "temporary fix" is most near and dear to my heart for obvious reasons, I am allowed to step out and support others as I choose. There are millions of people in the world fighting their own battle and hoping and praying for a cure someday as well. I honestly wish I could help every single organization out there trying to find a cure and each year I try to choose something different in addition to CHD Awareness. These have included The Children's Heart Foundation,  The American Heart Association, United Cerebral Palsy, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, St. Judes, Children's Miracle Network,  Make-A-Wish, Relay for Life, etc.  I also give to personal donation pages when I am able but, once again, I just have to follow my heart. Again, I would say do your research and do whatever you want despite what others might think.

Jarod was challenged and I gave him the option.  After all, he is 16 years old and can make that decision.  While he had very little ice because of multiple takes, he wanted to do the challenge and did so to the best of his ability. He wanted to donate to ALS as well as Mended Little Hearts of the Shenandoah Valley and I am super proud of him. He is always wanting to help others and, while his donations may not be much, they were his choice and his money. Together, we can all make a difference.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=706507362719381&l=1515780254325252721

Love and Blessings,


Steph

8/27/14 Update:  I know in this post I stated that I was not going to do the actual ALS Ice Bucket Challenge due to my own personal reasons and just donated money. I must now retract that statement.  I mean seriously, how can I resist when my miracle, Jarod, "nudged" me by telling me to stop being a "whiney hiney", so I just went for it.  Thanks, Jarod, for always giving me that extra nudge I need no matter what the circumstance is.  You are truly my hero <3