By Nathan Dagley, CEO of Dagley Insurance and Financial Services
What if you couldn’t get out of bed each morning by yourself? Couldn’t stand or walk. Or move your arms or hands or hold your head up. What if you knew that the end of your life would most likely be physically characterized by the slow, but complete loss of muscle function? Being completely dependent upon others for basic daily functions. A mind that works normally yet trapped inside a body that’s failing.
What if this was your reality?
This is just a tiny glimpse into the terrifying disease that is ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. According to the A.D.A.M Medical Encyclopedia, the technical definition of ALS is a disease of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement – also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Reading the clinical definition is a lot easier to take without realizing the impact that it can have on the individual’s quality of life. This is reality for more than 12,000 Americans.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has received a lot of criticism online from those that wonder how dumping a bucket of ice cold water over your head can help patients with ALS. Yet, this campaign has not only brought knowledge of the disease to the forefront, but has also raised $42 million for the ALS Association to date. Compare this to the $2 million that was raised last year, this is astounding.
Dagley Insurance and Financial Services was recently challenged by Champion Restoration to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Almost everyone on staff at our Katy TX insurance office was able to participate. Nathan Dagley is donating $1 to the ALS Association for each ‘like’ the video receives on the Dagley Insurance Facebook page. We have also challenged the Katy Merrell Center Marketing Team, Encompass Lending Group and the Katy High School Bengal Brigade and Cheer.
Despite the increase in funds this year, the journey to finding a cure for ALS is still a long one. Of course, please go ‘like’ the video on Facebook page to help us raise money, but also learn more about ALS and how you can support those affected. Visit www.als.net or www.alsa.org for more information.