Shelia Jackson, come on down!

Charlotte Hussey, come on down!

The challenge has been passed.

“Now, let’s see how ‘cool’ you really are?”

Pat Rodgers of Sisters Restaurant challenged Troy Tourism Director Shelia Jackson to be “cool” and accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge or refuse it and be an ol’ wet blanket.

Rodgers said accepting the challenge to have a bucket of ice dumped on her head was a no brainer.

“Anytime Sisters can do something really worthwhile, we want to do it,” Rodgers said. “Raising awareness of Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) and money to benefit research into the disease is something really worthwhile.”

The Ice Bucket Challenge is an awareness and fundraising campaign that benefits the ALS Association in the United States. The “Challenge” went viral throughout the social media.

Not only did Sisters’ co-owner Rodgers get up for the challenge by donning “frog’s feet” and a snorkel, and chanting, “Bring it on,” so did Naomi Miles accept the Ice Bucket Challenge. And, every other Sisters’ employee was willing and eager to “pour it on.” Only six lucky people got to do the honors.

Six buckets of ice and ice-cold water were dumped on “Miss Pat” and company –Miles, James Ketchum, Jacqeline Floyd, Carol Amos and “Famous” Mike Amos.

The Ice Bucket “incident” attracted a crowd and generated a lot of laughter but ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease is no laughing matter.

Eyes were misty as Floyd talked about her brothers, Buddy and Phillip Brantley, who were lost to the progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects never cells in the brain and spinal cord.

Dr. Buddy Brantley was a highly respected and much loved “family” doctor in Troy. Being a physician, he recognized the early symptoms of ALS. A muscle biopsy confirmed his self-diagnosis.

“There was no history of ALS in our family and it was hard for all of us to accept,” Floyd said. “But, when you are diagnosed with ALS, there’s nothing you can do but accept it and pray … and hope.”

Floyd said prayers were answered in that her brother was fortune the disease didn’t rob him of his ability to breathe and swallow.

“He lost so much muscular control but he was able to talk,” Floyd said. “We were so thankful for that. Then, one night, Buddy went to sleep and didn’t wake up. That was a blessing. His suffering could have been so much more.”

Buddy Brantley was about five years older than his brother, Phillip. His death was a devastating loss to his family and to the Troy community. His brother had a difficult time dealing with his death.

“When Phillip began to complain of symptoms of ALS, we thought it was psychological,” Floyd said. “For two brothers with no family history of ALS to have the disease was unthinkable.”

The “unthinkable’ became reality. Phillips Brantley was diagnosed with ALS.

“Phillip was the most thoughtful, caring and kindest person you would ever meet,” Floyd said. “He thought about others before himself.”

Floyd told the story of the night her brother opened the door to a homeless man, gave him food and a place to sleep.

“Phillip was just that kind of person,” she said.

The effects of ALS were more debilitating for Phillip Brantley and he suffered terribly from the disease.

“Buddy and Phillip both died of ALS at the age of 63,” Floyd said. “ALS is a devastating disease. You hope against hope and then all hope is gone.”

All of those who got “iced down” Tuesday in order to bring greater awareness to ALS encourage everyone to learn more about the disease and then support the ALS Association in its efforts to find treatments for this devastating disease.