The Illness and the Odyssey

I lost my wife to ALS in Feb 2010. I've tried to learn about it since and this film provides a lot of information on research and more in a very accessible form. I work helping out with information, helping, and caring with two ALS support groups. The more I know, the more I can feel and help. I'm also a Christian and want to gently help those who are not gain the peace that comes from a saving faith whether a patient or loved one. While I miss Barbara, I am also a peace with where she is, how she is, and knowing we'LL be together again. Note: There is no religion in this film so no matter what you may feel about that, this is not part of the film. That part is between you and God. Also note that ALS is hard to diagnose,many docs are reluctant to give the diagnosis as it is a grim view of the patient's future. The more you know the better you can respond if you encounter this or other neurological diseases.

We need a lot more documentaries like this, which was aired on PBS. We live in an underfunded, anti-science time which is also hostile to fact and truth. This shows the slow, methodical detective work - not to mention the struggle for funding - that is the hallmark of all great scientific efforts and breakthroughs.

Doctors and scientists in the fields of neurology, immunology, infectious diseases, etc. were drawn to Guam in the 1950's to study a local ailment which displayed symptoms of ALS, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. It is called Lytico-Bodig and researchers treated the island population as though they held the Rosetta Stone of understanding all three of these degenerative diseases and perhaps many others as well.

Sixty years later and there is still no answer as to cause or prevention. But that is not the same thing as saying researchers have made no progress. Science is perhaps the only field by which success is defined by continuous failure. Every new theory must be fully and repeatedly tested before determining what, if anything, was learned and is of value before moving on to the next theory. Perhaps one day bits and pieces from numerous theories will be discovered as the answer -- once they are linked together as a result of endless and meticulous testing.