Photographer Shares The Heartbreaking Realities of Living With ALS and Takes the #ALSIceBucketChallenge

Over the past week, the #ALSIceBucketChallenge has gone above and beyond viral, bringing people from all over the world together to support and raise awareness for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

And one of the individuals who has gotten in on the ice-cold action while defending the movement from detractors is photographer Anthony Carbajal, whose tragic story we’ve shared before.

For those who need some catching up, Carbajal’s story is a great deal different and more personal than most participants in the #ALSIceBucketChallenge. Six months ago, after spending his entire life in fear of this diagnosis — both his grandmother and mother had the disease — Carbajal was told he, too, had ALS.

In the above video, he takes the challenge, gives us an inside look at his heartfelt story, and shares his thoughts on the realities of this terrible disease.

As Carbajal himself says, the video is a bit all over the place, contrasting the humor and laughs of the #ALSIceBucketChallenge with the tear-inducing realities of the disease.

But this contrast helps to bring this humorous awareness campaign back to reality in the best of ways. It’s not just about dumping ice water on yourself, the people you’re helping when you donate have real, heartbreaking stories.

In accordance with Carbajal’s wishes, we won’t elaborate much further other than sharing the video and pointing you in the direction of a few resources that he has shared.

He did an AMA on Reddit just yesterday, which is full of answers, advice, suggestions and more for anyone looking to learn more about Anthony, this horrifying disease, what you can do to help the cause and more. If you’d like to make donations, Carbajal specifically points to ALS Therapy Development Institute, who he feels confident will make the most of the funds.

Be sure to give Anthony’s 4 minute video a watch (have tissues handy) and if you’d like to see the longer, uncensored version, you can do so here.