Every little bit counts....

Today myself, achan, amma and thads attended the "Walk to defeat ALS". Basically it was just a 1 mile walk to raise funds to research cures for ALS.

ALS - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Motor neurons reach from the brain to the spinal cord and from the spinal cord to the muscles throughout the body. The progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. With voluntary muscle action progressively affected, patients in the later stages of the disease may become totally paralyzed.

We reached the venue at 9.00, registered, got ourselves couple of tshirts, ate some snacks and started walking in the sweltering heat...As I was walking I was just thinking about the people who have been afflicted with this terrible disease.. How horrible would it be for a person when they know that they can no longer control their physical movements. How hard it must be to become a prisoner within one's own body...ALS patients do not suffer from mental disintegration, so their minds are alert and fully functioning even while their body progressively disintegrates....However there is a magic word that still allows them to face each day with a smile...and the word is HOPE!! The hope for a cure, the hope for better medical sustenance facilities....these are things that keep them going....One of the most prominent survivors of this dreaded disease is Dr Stephen Hawking. He is one of the most prominent long term survivors of this fatal disease that often kills people within 2-5 years of initial diagnosis...... I am inspired by such people...

Probably one of the biggest positives of American society is such kind of endeavours that are targeted towards raising money for worthwhile causes - Walk for ALS, Race for a cure(Susan G Komen) foundation, Walk to defeat diabetes.....these are all fine examples of Americans drive to collect money to help less privileged fellow countrymen....I think India should also embrace such initiatives actively!!

I appeal to everyone out there....When you see such noble causes, please do make an effort to contribute..As the saying goes "Small drops make a big ocean"....!