If you aren’t familiar yet with the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS Awareness, I don’t know what you’ve been doing for the last couple months.

My daughter, Lydia, took up the challenge, and nominated me.  Because she’s just sorta awesome that way.

Her friends and siblings were more than happy to help douse her with multiple helpings of icy water!

My little boy, her (half-)brother, Quenton, was fascinated with the video.  He loved watching her get splashed and sloshed and soaked!  After he watched the video a few times, he asked the golden question, “Why did they dump all that water on her?”

We explained that there are people who have a disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and they need help.  So, people are using this as a way to pass the word around and challenge each other to do a little bit to help.  Along with the water, people are donating to various funds that help people battling ALS.

“So is Daddy going to get water dumped on him now?”

“Yes.”

“Cool!”

“Do you want to help dump water on Daddy?”

“No, I want water dumped on me, too!”

Right in the feels.

So, tonight, Quenton and I are going to take the ice bucket challenge.  As hot as it’s been lately, it’ll probably feel good!

I’m proud to make donations to help this cause.  In my work supporting awareness of Assistive Technology with educators, two of the resources I use a lot are of people who are battling ALS.

One is former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason.  His blocked punt in the first post-Katrina game at the Superdome is one of the great mashup moments of sports-meets-real-life.  Microsoft has developed a short video (2:25) that shows some of what Steve is able to do using Surface tablet technology.

The other is Jason Becker.  Jason is an exceptionally gifted musician, but ALS began taking away his ability to play guitar.  Jason uses some powerful Assistive Technology to communicate, and also to continue to exercise his gift for music and share it with the world.

If you are looking for a place to donate money to help with the fight against ALS, I strongly urge you to consider visiting TeamGleason.org and JasonBeckerMovie.com to show you what your money can do.

Learn.  Give.  Make a difference.  Make a positive difference in someone’s life.