ALS Ice Bucket Chellenge: The Good and The Bad

This post was originally written in my Dayre. What's different is the spell-checking and removal of profanities by Mr Editor, and an exclusive (but not really cause it's uploaded to my instagram @csysteph hehe) behind the scenes video!

I did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge a few days back. I didn't only get one but three nominations to do the challenge; all in the span of one day. So I thought, why not?

And here is the Behind The Scenes video!

I'll be brutally honest. I didn't donate a single cent. They say donate within your means and I am still jobless; still leeching off my parents.

Now.. I know what a lot of people have been saying.

The challenge is stupid. You're not doing anything but waste water.

I actually disagree. The people who said that are the real hypocrites.

Cause #1 wtf waste water. Don't tell me you don't. Do you turn off the shower when you're shampoo-ing your hair? Or turn off the tap while brushing your teeth? NO? WELL THEN YOU'RE WASTING WATER TOO! You are merely nitpicking on a trend that will soon die down.

And #2 the challenge did raise awareness. I personally have never even heard of ALS before this and was surprised that even a great name like Steven Hawking has it! According to donation statistics released by ALS Association, the amount of donations received from July 29 - August 26 this year is $88.5 million; compared to $2.6 million in the same period last year. Quite a large amount raised for a just stupid challenge aye? Apparently only 10% will be directed to the research department but hello! 10% of 88.5 million vs 10% of 2.6 million. Did it benefit the ALS patients? You do the math. I also think it's very naive to believe that every cent in other charity organizations go straight to the needy. Clearly there are a lot of administrative and fixed costs that the organisation has to incur. Isn't it silly how you think the charity for ALS is a waste of time cause 'it doesn't even help with research' *roll eyes*

To me, it is up to you whether you want to do this challenge or not. 

I did the challenge not only for fun but I was genuinely curious how it feels like getting ALS. I was splashed by water for 10 seconds and I already felt like dying from the cold pain stinging my skin! Imagine people with ALS having to go through that 24/7.

I did the challenge because I would rather say 'Oh I did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and wow I simply cannot imagine the kind of suffering they must be going through', than saying 'I didn't do it. Cause it's effing stupid.'

Which trend isn't stupid? Ask yourself. Clubbing, dyeing your hair pink, cup songs, saying YOLO and many more. They were all condemned but most people did it because it's an experience.

No one should deny anyone else access to an experience. Like if you want to smoke and I'm anti-smoking. Should I call you stupid; that you are killing your lungs? No. Who am I to tell you no? I would give you my blessings and that's it! 

You can call people out for doing charity after doing a stunt. While now you're not donating as well because of the stunt? Who doesn't know you can do charity whenever you desire but calling people who've already done it stupid just makes you a hypocrite!

I can also say you're being judgemental and ripping people of free choice lo! People wanna do then let them do lo. Why be so judgemental?

To the people I nominated, it is perfectly fine if you decide to do and still perfectly fine if you don't want to. I'm neither for nor against doing the challenge. I did it and that's that.

I know deep down what to do to help people. Just wait till I'm able to and I'll really do my best in helping others. For now, calm down, stop taking sides and be so judgmental.

Bye now~