Unless you were living without electricity I am sure you saw the phenomimon that is the Ice Bucket Challenge. It all started with Pete Frates, a former Boston College baseball player who was stricken with ALS and has decided not to raise the white flag. I find it's viralness so inspiring and very personal.
As you may know, if you've been reading this blog or bought a copy of the Cowl for Nick that I had someone close to me who was diagnosed with ALS - the father of one of my best friends. We lost Nick over a year ago and it still stings. He was a generous, caring, funny and downright amazing man. He had a wonderful personality and humor that still shines through his wife, daughter, son and his beautiful grandchildren. He has left a wonderful legacy behind but, oh, how we all wish he was still here to enjoy it.
To see the world becoming more aware of this disease and seeing ALS organizations around the globe benefiting from heightened donations is amazing. I even got pretty defensive for all the cynics who didn't get it. Awareness = progress.
I often think of ALS when I see my son going through his bouts of paralisis. I imagine that his frustration is similar to those who are losing control of their muscles with ALS. Both persons are so sharp mentally but their bodies are unfortunately failing them. Of course, AHC (Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood) affects a far less percentage (approx 350 cases in the US alone) and is not nearly as fatal as ALS but it still deserves attention of it's own.
James Cowl
Yarn: O-Wool Balance Bulky, 2 skeins, peridot
Needles: US 10.5
It's with that in mind I give you the James Cowl. An easy, chunky cowl, knit up in no more than two-three days - a perfect last minute gift. All proceeds of this cowl will go to towards medical research in finding an effective treatment for AHC. In fact, 50% of the proceeds of ALL my patterns going forward with go towards AHC research. Right now all we have are experimental drugs and ideas of what can help. We need something more concrete.
I often reflect on the philosophy of "What do you love to do? What are you good at? Who needs you to do these things?" Well it's time I offer my talents to this group of deserving people including my amazing son. Perhaps that's why I was gifted with this knit talent in the first place.
If you want to donate or do more for our cause please visit CureAHC.org and AHCF.org to help! We are a small community but a hopeful and proud one. Our children are strong individuals and while they struggle with physical and mental road bumps, are the most inspiring people we have ever met.
Buy a pattern, get TWO, or three ;-) Make a cowl, gift a cowl, share this post and keep warm.
Happy Knitting!
Margaux & James