Bianca Ontiveros | Contributing Writer
Everyone knows what amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is, right? Maybe not, but chances are you were nominated this summer for the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge or know someone who was. Aside from raising awareness and funds for research, this challenge also provided some epic failures. Compilation videos gave viewers some great laughs at people who completely ruined the call to action. There were friends and family members “accidentally” dropping the bucket on the person doing the challenge, or people getting knocked out in an attempt to dump water on themselves, all hilarious! However, if you participated, let’s hope you didn’t make any of the mistakes on this list.
- Ice Ice Baby
The purpose of the ice bucket challenge was to have ice in the water. If there was not any ice in your bucket, looks like you might have to do it again. The purpose of the sensation of frigid water hitting the body was to recreate the spine-chilling, paralyzing feeling ALS gives those with the disease.
- Water The Lawn
Yes, California is in a drought and the challenge uses a good amount of water, but probably not as much as the average shower. Let’s be nice and not ridicule people for raising awareness about a good cause, but if you decide to participate, help out the grass by doing it over a dry patch.
- Not A Popularity Contest
Some people did it for more than just the Instagram kudos, Twitter follows or Facebook likes. The Ice Bucket Challenge was trending throughout the summer and people were extremely creative with it. Although it can be extremely fun to do, especially in 100-degree weather, make sure it really is to raise awareness about this disease and not for personal performance.
- Make It Rain
If nominated for the challenge, you were supposed to donate $100 to one of the ALS associations or literally make it rain on yourself and give. This challenge was to be completed within 24 hours of being nominated. Celebrities popularized the challenge, and many people are doing it for the fun but not actually donating. The associations also accept lesser amounts, so try also to make it rain on research.
The challenge shed light on the malady commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which can kill the motor neurons that go from the brain to the spinal cord and on to the muscles, ultimately leaving the body paralyzed. Reports show that the challenge raised more than $40 million by Aug. 27, 2014, compared with the almost $3 million raised within the same period a year before. Go ahead and join in on the laughs, fun and social good that this challenge has brought about, but be sure to keep in mind the original purpose.