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Warmth from ALS challenge

'As I experience my body deteriorating on a daily basis, I look for things to raise my spirits.'
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Mike Sands dictates the blogpost from his computer

The following is from alswithcourage.blogspot.ca, courtesy Nadine Sands.

 

In the Christmas movie Elf, Santa Claus is seen stranded in Central Park, New York. The motor on his sleigh breaks down and Buddy the elf attempts to fix it.

As Buddy works on the sleigh, Santa explains to Buddy that, in the good old days, he would never have this problem because his sleigh was powered by the spirit of Christmas.

Buddy’s girlfriend convinces a crowd to join her in singing Christmas carols. The group’s singing is broadcasted nationwide, and soon everyone is singing, which raises the spirit of Christmas to new heights.

Santa’s sleigh is soon seen soaring in the sky.

I had my first symptoms of ALS four years ago this month.

Over the past four years, I have lost the ability to walk, talk, move most of my body and swallow properly; in essence, every muscle in my body has stopped working or is on it’s way to that result.

It’s understandable for anyone in these circumstances to be in low spirits.

As I experience my body deteriorating on a daily basis, I look for things to raise my spirits, and the recent ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has done this.

The money raised is great, but what’s even more important is that the challenge is a sign that society is in our corner, ready to fight this disease with us arm in arm.

Right now with my elevated spirits, I think I could guide Santa’s sleigh clear around the world.

Mike Sands

Maple Ridge