My cousin, only in her late 30’s recently found out she is suffering from ALS. It’s heartbreaking and terrifying and she posted this today:

Having muscles spasms every day ’til you are paralyzed for your predicted new life span of about 800 days is pretty much a bummer. But the face cramp I just had felt like being punched by 6 Mike Tysons and having a broken jaw. It was like feeling the pain of every person who has ever had or has ALS and the pain of everyone that hurt for them all at once. Sad truth. It was the first of many. This is why we stand up and make a difference to fight this disease! I will continue to say this until I cant, this disease could grab any of us. Find a way to fight and bring treatments and a cure! NOT JUST FOR ME…FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR LOVED ONES. Who could get picked for this next in your world a niece or nephew, a sister or brother, your child, your husband or wife, your best friend, or YOU?

I am feel very helpless being so far away from her (she lives in Cincinnati) and since she’s such an amazing, fun, awesome person I have pledged to bring awareness to her illness all month. It’s ALS month and last year this time you were dumping ice on yourself and asking others to do it. Will you be able to do anything this year?

I don’t think you’d like being punched in the face by Mike Tyson six times. I actually think he’d think she is pretty badass.