By Allison Jones

September 9, 2014

We’ve seen them everywhere. From our newsfeeds to our timelines, no one can seem to escape the incessant cycle of videos of people pouring ice-cold water on their heads. The Ice Bucket Challenge started as a campaign to raise awareness for ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, but rapidly became an internet sensation.

 

The Ice Bucket Challenge was started to give people the feeling of being completely helpless for a short period of time, in order to give participants a miniscule sensation of the paralyzing effect that ALS patients feel at the time of diagnosis.

 

While many people might overlook the videos without a second thought or complain about the monotony occurring on their social media networks, understanding what it is the Ice Bucket Challenge is accomplishing could lead many to reconsider scrolling past those videos next time they’re perusing Facebook.

 

Milligan students were able to make a more personal connection with ALS and the Ice Bucket Challenge on Tuesday when Elementary School Principal Josh Wandell, of Elizabethton, spoke in the convocation service. Wandell was diagnosed with ALS in 2012 and was given the standard life expectancy for someone diagnosed of 2-5 years.

 

“I’m ashamed to admit that three years ago, I had no idea what ALS was,” said Wandell.  “I hope that through The Ice Bucket Challenge, everyone will at least Google it and can say that they know what ALS is.”

 

While there has been a lot of controversy over the Ice Bucket Challenge, including where the donated money is being allotted, and the annoyance of constantly hearing of it, Wandell says that even by complaining about the Ice Bucket Challenge, you are making a difference.

 

“I think the Ice Bucket Challenge is wonderful,” Wandell said. “There’s people who do not like it and fuss about it, but by them fussing about it, they are bringing attention to it.”

 

Josh Wandell captivated Milligan’s students, and as Milligan professor Curtis Booher said, he made it personal to everyone by putting a face on all of the antics. Booher himself completed the challenge in honor of Wandell.

 

Soon, all of the hype over The Ice Bucket Challenge may come to an end, just like with any current trend. But those who are living with ALS will still be living their lives dealing with the struggles of this horrible degenerative disease. Wandell says that his goal through this journey living with ALS, is to leave a legacy that far outlives his life, which could come to an end much sooner than desired due to ALS.

 

“I really think what I have learned through this experience is figuring out what defines you, and what you want people to remember about you,” said Josh. “I would challenge everyone I can, as it says in the Bible, to want to hear, ‘well-done good and faithful servant,’ to know that you did well serving God.”