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Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of Nickelodeon's animated megahit SpongeBob SquarePants, died Monday. He was 57. Hillenburg died from ALS; he was diagnosed with the disease in March 2017. Nickelodoen paid tribute to him in a tweet on Tuesday: "We are sad to share the news of the passing of Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants. Today, we are observing a moment of silence to honor his life and work."

Dwight Clark, the dashing and charismatic wide receiver who played the starring role in The Catch, the most indelible and important play in 49ers’ history, died Monday at 61, 15 months after announcing he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clark’s wife, Kelly, announced the news, via his Twitter account. “I’m heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband,” Kelly Clark said. “He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. I am thankful for all of Dwight’s friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his battle with ALS.”

As the world mourns the death of famed physicist Stephen Hawking, many are calling out tributes that contain “ableist” language and what one disability rights blogger described as “inspiration porn.” Among the social media posts honoring the A Brief History of Time author, who died March 13 at 76, are references to his use of a wheelchair and ALS diagnosis. Several tributes and obituaries have praised Hawking for “overcoming” his disease, while others claimed that death has “freed” him from his wheelchair. But those comments perpetuate demeaning stereotypes, advocates and members of the public, including model and deaf activist Nyle...

PHILADELPHIA (CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first new drug for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, in more than two decades. The FDA announced Friday that Radicava, also known as edaravone, has been approved for use in the United States. The only other drug specifically for the treatment of ALS is riluzole, which was approved for use in the United States in 1995. Tests conducted in Japan found that ALS sufferers who received edaravone experienced a smaller decline in their level of daily functioning compared to those who received a placebo.

In early July, Betsy Davis emailed her closest friends and relatives to invite them to a two-day party, telling them: "These circumstances are unlike any party you have attended before, requiring emotional stamina, centeredness and openness." And just one rule: No crying in front of her. The 41-year-old artist with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease, held the gathering to say farewell before becoming one of the first Californians to take a take a lethal dose of drugs under the state's new doctor-assisted suicide law for the terminally ill.

Former Alabama and NFL fullback Kevin Turner, who died Thursday after a long battle with the neurodegenerative disease ALS, is perhaps best remembered his toughness and versatility as a player and later his perseverance in fighting a deadly illness. Turner, who was 46, played fullback at Alabama from 1988-91. He then spent eight seasons in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, retiring after the 1999 season.

Scientists Connect Brain to a Basic Tablet—Paralyzed Patient Googles With Ease

Graphic by MamaBear After fighting ALS for several months, on Sunday morning Diver Dave was called home to Jesus' loving arms. According to his family, he is having a great reunion with his parents, his oldest sister, his parents-in-law and many others including many FReepers. As we recall what a Patriot Diver Dave was, it seems appropriate that he joined FreeRepublic July 4, 1998. Dave loved this country and our troops. Many times, he drove 2 hours each way to join the Fresno Freepers in support of our troops. Dave had a very strong faith that was an inspiration...

<p>Every few days, Chie Smith, a former cheerleader for the Oakland Raiders, chops, dices, and blends together a selection of fresh, raw vegetables, cooked wild salmon, and quinoa in her Richardson, Texas, home.</p> <p>The smooth puree that she portions out into equal servings are for her husband, former NFL player Steve Smith, 50, who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2002 and has been using a feeding tube since 2006.</p>

I have selfish reasons to do the Ice Bucket Challenge this year.To get the basement dwellers up to speed: The Ice Bucket Challenge is where a person has an ice bucket with water dumped over his head to benefit the ALS Association. In my case, I will make a donation over $100 to ALSA, and ask others I challenge to make any donation whatever or get the bucket dumped oj them… or better yet, take the bucket, make a donation and challenge others to do the same.I also give a chance to comrades to torture me with this modified version...

Dear Megan (Marzec): I am writing to express my extreme disappointment with your recent actions as Ohio University’s (OU) student senate president. In my constitutionally protected opinion, you have exhibited some serious anti-Semitic tendencies. You have also come across as an unprincipled opportunist. Of course, I am referring to the manner in which you responded to the charge from OU President Roderick McDavis to participate in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Instead of taking it seriously, you decided to douse yourself in fake blood in order to make a grossly ill-timed political statement. According to my friends at Campus Reform,...

Last week, several prominent megapastors took the ALS Association's Ice Bucket Challenge. A LifeSiteNews inquiry into whether the pastors donated to the ALS Association or another organization found that the pastors were, for the most part, unwilling to publicize where their monetary support went. In challenge videos reported by the Christian Post, Perry Noble, pastor of NewSpring Church; Jentezen Franklin, pastor of Free Chapel; Life Without Limbs ministry leader Nick Vujicic; Dr. Ed Young, pastor of Second Baptist Church Houston; and TD Jakes, pastor of The Potter's House, all promoted ALS research donations. However, only Young's spokesperson provided donation details...

[...] Satanic ritual? Yes. Rituals abound in “Christian” America. Whenever spectators watch singers like Beyonce, JayZ, Rihanna, Lady Gaga and especially Nicki Minaj, they are indoctrinated and involved with blatantly satanic rituals that stem from the deep abyss of the occult. Some of these very same artists have taken the ALS IBC. Gaga doesn’t utter a word as she baptizes herself, arrayed in a sexy black leotard, sporting black lips, perched in an ornate black chair. Gaga doesn’t use a bucket; she instead uses a large silver bowl associated with pagan worship. Do you think she would take the IBC...

Unfortunately, as LifeNews has documented, there is a chance your donation to The ALS Association could be used to support embryonic stem cell research. ALSA has confirmed it supports research involving the destruction of unborn human life to find cures for the disease. In an email to Religion News Service, Carrie Munk, a spokeswoman for the ALS Association, said that the organization primarily funds adult stem cell research. “Currently, The Association is funding one study using embryonic stem cells (ESC), and the stem cell line was established many years ago under ethical guidelines set by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders...

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for the ALS Association is sweeping the nation, and going viral in social media. However, do you know what you are supporting if you contribute funds to the ALS Association? The ALS Association describes their “mission”: Established in 1985, The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front.  By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life...

Sarah Palin - ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (Politician) Sarah Palin - ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. I accept Wasilla Arctic Cat’s #icebucketchallenge to #strikeoutALS and will donate to the Pete Frates #3 Fund. Watch my video to see whom I challenge. Hat tip to actor Patrick Stewart for reminding everyone with his video that the donation is the most important part of the #icebucketchallenge, not the frivolous water-tossing theatrics that those of us who are more thoughtfully serious choose to forgo. Find out more about #ALS and learn the story behind the #icebucketchallenge here: http://is.gd/EchG4H and here: http://petefrates.com/ Next up, it's...

Showing his support for those suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease, the superintendent of Catholic schools for the Cincinnati Archdiocese took part in the ice bucket challenge Aug. 21. Superintendent Jim Rigg was joined by Tom Otten, principal of Elder Catholic High School, on the school’s campus. The challenge has taken the nation by storm to raise money in support of research into the disease, which is formally known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure and no proven treatments. In the challenge, people are asked to share videos through...

Cool it! While Hollywood has accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in droves, uploading often-creative, LOL videos and nominating each other, Pamela Anderson and Carey Hart took to their social media pages to criticize the viral campaign, meant to raise funds for Lou Gehrig's disease research. On Wednesday Aug. 20, Anderson, a longtime supporter of animal rights, posted a Facebook message criticizing ALS researchers for their research practices... The next morning, on Thursday, Aug. 21, Hart similarly railed against those who have hopped on the ice bucket bandwagon...

If you haven’t heard, people are pouring buckets of ice water over their heads to raise money and awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Nancy Pelosi has accepted the challenge! Pictures on link!!!!!!