Still Alice, Away from Her, and IRIS....

Thanks so much for your post. I have also seen all three films -- a few times each. They each explore similar yet individual perspectives on how both the affected person as well as those people in their world
are forced to deal with this terrible disease. My paternal grandfather struggled with Alzheimer's in his late 70's and well into his 80's but I never saw him during that time as I'm 2,000+ miles away. I just heard the stories of him oftentimes becoming physically combative as he lost "himself".

Each of these 3 films are truly beautifully, honestly produced and I was truly deeply touched by how each director approached the material. We're VERY fortunate to have these films in order to better educate ourselves about the immense challenges many of us will face -- either as patients or as family members of this and other debilitating diseases evolve in our loved ones.

I cared for my father for 20 years as Parkinson's disease destroyed his life. I had always been very close to my Dad, so when he finally died of a secondary condition in 2000 (pneumonia -- a very
common cause of death in
advanced Parkinson's Disease patients), I was understandably deeply pained at losing my father and best friend yet relieved for him that he no longer had to suffer. My Dad had been a highly revered trumpet player in Tommy Dorsey's band as well as several other top Swing/Big Band era groups. As the disease set in, he could no longer play his trumpet or his classical guitar, so I bought him a harmonica which didn't require dexterity -- just his wonderful musical talents. As with Alzheimer's, the PD is currently incurable and it is poorly understood. As it progresses, the entire body becomes affected until the person can no longer walk, talk, take care of even their most basic needs, sleep more than an hour or two at a time, or eat properly (food causes enzymes to flood the stomach, which then stops the effectiveness of the Parkinson meds). When my Dad passed, with me embracing him, he weighed only 123 lbs. We had a beautiful yet excruciating journey together over that 20 years and I thank the Universe that I could be there for him right to the very end. The last words he spoke were to tell me he loved me. What a gift . . .

These films, such as "Still Alice" and "Away From Her", which begin to explore the often harsh, painful realities families and individuals must face when serious, long-term disease affects someone
we love, are so extremely important for EVERYONE to see.

I thank all who were involved in the making of this film for honestly and realistically bringing "Still Alice" to fruition. Beautifully done by all involved!!! Particularly, my heartfelt thanks go to one of my favorite actresses, Julianne Moore, for a sensitive yet honest portrayal of the struggle Alice faced and her honesty about her challenges with her family.