https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx Made with panache en-us 2017-05-18 19:33:56 UTC 2017-05-23 01:13:44 UTC hello@padlet.com posteluk_c https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172676053 The director of Gleason successfully captured a message centered on the importance of family relationships along with the struggles that come with having a terminal disease by using emotional interviews with  Steve Gleason's family and friends as well as depicting the most difficult aspects of living with ALS.]]> 2017-05-18 19:36:02 UTC https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172676053 posteluk_c https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172679946 The director used the film to provide an genuine portrayal of what it is like to live with ALS and to live with someone who has the disease. At the same time, the director wanted to promote the need for  technology to help those with ALS communicate.

- The film showed both the high and lows of living with ALS, the days when Gleason won an award or promoted his cause successfully, as well as the days when he barely held on to the desire to live. Documentaries about this topic often only show what people are comfortable seeing. This film, however, showed not only his physical struggles that are sometimes awkward to watch,  (his need for help going to the bathroom and practicing hygiene), but also the emotional struggles, that at times seemed even more difficult to watch (the deterioration of his marriage or when he expresses his frustration about his condition). The interviews included of friends and family where honest and real. They didn't pretend to be perfect or enjoy the process. They shared how difficult it was to take care of Steve and mentally handle the situation.

- The film also focused a lot on the significance of technology. Steve shared his beliefs through out the film about how important communication devices were for those battling ALS. The director included clips focusing on Team Gleason (Steve's organization focused on providing such technology) often in the documentary, discussing it's philosophy as well as the obstacles the organization has over come. The director include several personal stories of people with ALS who were helped by the organization. Overall, the director paints the organization in a very positive light and emphasizes the need for the services it provides. 


]]> 2017-05-18 20:00:20 UTC https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172679946 posteluk_c https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172680054 The director did achieve his purpose of giving a genuine depiction of ALS and promoting the cause of Team Gleason as well as focusing on the importance of family relationships.

- The director included scenes that showed Gleason's exhaustion. In one scene, he types out with tears in his eyes how hard it is for him to push through, and how some days he can barely hang on. The Director utilizes the camera to emphasize the pain Steve and his wife experience. In one specific scene, the camera zooms into Michel's face as she struggles to hold back tears while watching her husband struggle to hoist himself out of a lake. Another such scene shows Steve trying to reach out to Michel, whilst she barely responds, showing her exhaustion.

- The director includes many scene where the viewer feels as if they have stepped right into Steve and Michel's life, including conversation most people wouldn't be comfortable having in front of a camera, such as conversations with Steve's dad about spirituality.]]> 2017-05-18 20:01:15 UTC https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172680054 posteluk_c https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172680106 I thought it was interesting how all the reviews noted how intimate the documentary was. One Review noted that the documentary wouldn't have been as uplifting had Steve Gleason not been ex NFL player, and therefore able to live a much more comfortable life. That thought never crossed my mind, but reading it, I realized how true it was. 

This documentary really showed what difference health care can make in some ones life. In the case of someone with ALS, it can literally make the difference of being able to communicate or not. Often the importance of accessible health care can be brushed off, but this film showed the reality of some  one who would need it to live even a minimally comfortable life. 

As for how personal the documentary was, I applaud how vulnerable the Gleason's were willing to be to share a genuine story of living with a terminal illness. It's one of those things where someone has to say "Okay, this has to be said, and I'll be the person to do it ". I personally don't know if I would be brave enough to be that real about what ALS is like. Not only is it hard, it's humiliating within one's own circle of friends, much less on a national level. I think he did what he need to do to express something the world needed to hear, even if it was hard ]]> 2017-05-18 20:01:37 UTC https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172680106 posteluk_c https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172680192 2017-05-18 20:02:25 UTC https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/172680192 posteluk_c https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/173272704 2017-05-23 01:10:41 UTC https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/173272704 posteluk_c https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/173273030 2017-05-23 01:13:34 UTC https://padlet.com/posteluk_c/a440ptfy1tpx/wish/173273030