The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has taken over in full flight replacing cat videos, makeup transformations and people lighting themselves on fire.

For those of you peeping from under your rock the challenge is basically to have ice water dumped on you after which you nominate a person or persons to do the same within 24 hours or forfeit and donate to the ALS Association. Or in the case of some celebrities dump the bucket AND donate. Or in the case of Charlie Sheen, put your money where the ice is

The cynics have weighed in arguing the futility of the exercise, once again crying shame on America’s narcissism and willingness to forget epidemics like AIDS, hunger and Ebola to jump on a fad to stay in the spotlight. Others have decried it as a distraction from the terror playing out in Ferguson, Missouri. Even Skeptical Kid has his view on the ‘fake altruism’

Well say what you will but the fact of the matter is, in terms of bringing attention to the disease, it worked. The ALS Association has raised $15.6 million as opposed to the $50,000 it raised in the same period last year and if that isn’t a spike in awareness I don’t know what is. Far be it from me to comment on the uselessness of the activity because now they can actually lobby the pharmaceutical companies to put more effort into creating the medical support that they need.

I have decided to stop watching the videos though. I will admit that I have been a voyeur, waiting to see who could best the rest
(shout to to Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, click here and Trinidad and Tobago’s very own Island People Mas, click here) but the video below is the main reason. This is hands down THE BEST rendition of this challenge, the mere reason for the challenge and it is so perfectly summed up that I don’t feel the need to gawk at any more. Take a look at it ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

Here’s to hoping they find a cure for this dreadful disease sooner rather than later.

Bless up

TMIDM