To complete this assignment review the amyotrophic lateral sclerosi (ALS) association website to get some background information about this spontaneous or familial condition. Then watch the 8 part documentary called Jim Said No about a person with ALS.
ALS Association: What is ALS? http://www.alsa.org/about-als/what-is-als.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/ Jim Said No, part 1 (click on part 2-8 as you complete the previous clip) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1N9QdjreXY Discussion Question 1: Throughout the filming of the documentary we are able to see Jim's decline but a constant is his positive outlook. How might his outlook help him deal with his disease? How does his outlook differ from his wife's? Why might their perspective be different? Provide a thoughtful response and respond to two of your classmates.
33 Comments
Margo
12/2/2015 08:08:31 am
Heather- I made comments to your presentation in the notes section of your powerpoint and shared it with you but because I had the ability to edit I think they saved and you have them. Looks great so far. I am impressed.
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Kat
12/3/2015 12:24:56 pm
Hi Margo, I tried to submit my discussion question but it didn't come up. It said it was pending a review from the admin or something. I'm going to try again now.
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Kat
12/3/2015 12:29:01 pm
Never mind, I figured it out! :)
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Kat
12/3/2015 12:27:36 pm
Jim had been faced with a diagnosis no one would want but stayed positive during his decline. He is a great example of why and how we should be thankful for the time we have on earth. I believe his positive outlook on life made him focus on making great memories for his wife, his son, and his family. Instead of wasting what precious little time he had left on his difficulties from the disease, he focused on what was good in his life and was thankful for every moment he was alive. He lived his life to the fullest extent every day and gave joy to the people he came in contact with. His advocacy for ALS was impressive as well. After all he had to deal with, the participation and organization of benefits to support ALS research shows that he went above and beyond to help others. He decided to use his journey with the disease to further knowledge so others would benefit beyond his life time. A decision like this demonstrates the selflessness and compassion he possessed.
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Margo
12/3/2015 05:16:15 pm
Kat, that was very well written and I appreciate that you included many examples from the video to support your post.
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Kat
12/5/2015 09:23:29 am
If they were bitter the documentary would have been filled with a lot of "why me?" I don't think it would have been as entertaining and inspirational. Honestly, no one wants to watch something about some one who is angry and bitter. Jim and Lisa's story was so engaging because they turned a horrible situation into something positive. They made the best out of the unfortunate hand they were dealt and educated more people about the disease. This documentary made a small wave that will ripple through many people and if we all put an effort forward we may someday be able to cure ALS.
Bre
12/4/2015 12:56:27 pm
Kat, I completely agree that he is a great example of why we should all be thankful. These videos made me want to eat all organic to say the least. This was very well written, and everything you said was spot on.
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Lindsay
12/5/2015 11:33:49 am
I agree! I had never thought of the ingredients in our food and the pesticides and fillings in our teeth as something that could have caused this disease, it was fascinating to learn that. I certainly strive to eat as healthy as possible but even Jim said after everything and changing his diet, he still wasn't completely organic, I think it is certainly the ideal way to eat but seemingly very challenging.
Bre
12/4/2015 12:51:49 pm
Wow. I'm glad we got to watch this on our own because I cried like a baby since part 6.
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Margo
12/4/2015 03:38:05 pm
I watched the video during my study hall with 20 kids in the room and I was in the front of the room sniffling and wiping away tears. I am sure the kids were thinking what the heck is wrong with her. It is kind of funny. But I agree that it is emotional to watch people struggle with an inevitable deterioration.
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Sally
12/4/2015 04:24:26 pm
I wanted to chime in on the organic talk! :) I think that is a wonderful question, if you don't plant the seeds yourself how do you know if it is truly organic? I have worked on multiple farms and have a concentration in environmental studies. After learning about food systems and "green washing" it is hard to trust the organic label. The standards for organic in america does not exactly mean what we all have in mind. yes it is better than the pesticide drenched and hormone inject veggies, but it is still mass produced and quite capable of being exposed to chemicals in the surrounding environment. I believe the best solution (other than growing your own) is to get to know the farms around you and eat local.
Bre
12/5/2015 01:19:28 pm
Yes Margo, his family does have the genetic component! Hi grandfather had it and he says it skips a generation and his father didn't have it, so if all is correct, he would be getting it.
Heather
12/6/2015 05:59:01 pm
speaking of rasing your own food, growing your own plants naturally I STILL HAVE AGED MANURE/SOIL MIX *Just sayin
Sally
12/4/2015 04:33:36 pm
Also wanted to mentioned I watched the last half while on the stair master- worst idea ever. Here I am in the gym, surrounded by burly men and I'm just on the stairs quietly crying. Thankfully i was sweating a lot so it looked like it may just have gotten in my eyes, but worst idea ever!
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Margo
12/5/2015 08:13:55 pm
Sally, you make a noteworthy point about American standards of what is "organic" and that eating locally and from farmers that you know possibly one of the only ways to really know what you are ingesting and if it is truly healthy.
Kat
12/5/2015 09:35:05 am
What great insight, Bre. I enjoyed reading your response. Do you know if your family member with the ALS history has been tested for the inherited gene? Everyone that I have met with ALS has not had the inherited gene, so that is very interesting. I'm glad you mentioned the ALS ice bucket challenge. A group of friends from work and myself participated in that challenge last year. It is very important that people made there donation on the website as well as post their videos. It was unfortunate that this became a trend and many people did it for the fun. Hopefully there was also a good amount of people who were educated about the disease and hopefully some of those people donated as well.
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Bre
12/5/2015 01:21:37 pm
Yes Kat, he has the inherited family gene! He was telling me it skips a generation and his grandfather had it, but his father didn't so he would next in line. Its a frightening thought to think he could possibly be just waiting to get this debilitating disease.
Margo
12/5/2015 08:18:32 pm
Bre
Heather
12/6/2015 05:55:00 pm
Please Pass the Tissues..... I had a very hard time watching this as I held one of my pugs in bed crying like a 2 year old, I was amazed at how strong he was, how positive and how he worked till the last second he could.... you are not alone in your tears!!!
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Margo
12/7/2015 06:34:31 am
Pugs make good emotional support :)
Sally
12/4/2015 04:10:43 pm
To say that Jim exuded positivity would be an understatement. I am not sure there is a word that would best describe his outlook during his time diagnosed with ALS. One thing that truly spoke to me was Jim’s discussion about being human. He talked about how he chose not to ask why me or sit at home and pity himself. Despite his speech failing, his arms numb and needing help to get dressed, he still said every day he is with his family is a good day. During the documentary Jim is constantly laughing and making jokes about what was going on. Towards the end his speech began to slur, he said it sounded like he had one too many drinks, but promised he hadn’t. Jim learned how to scoop up his son when picking up wasn’t an option anymore and celebrated that. Jim stayed strong and optimistic during the journey, perhaps to help his family appreciate the days they had left together.
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Sally
12/4/2015 04:30:25 pm
*Part 2 (sorry forgot to write why they may be different)
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Kat
12/5/2015 09:49:58 am
Sally, I think it is great that you pointed out that their perspectives were shaped by the individual challenges they faced. Jim was concerned with life up until he died but Lisa had to focus not only on Jim's situation, but also how to survive and raise their child after he was gone. Frequently a lot of emphasis is on the person with the illness, but many times it is the spouse or family that needs more support than the patient.
Lindsay
12/5/2015 11:30:53 am
Good point, Sally. I didn't even touch on the idea of Lisa's struggle with becoming a single parent. In addition to that, I really like how you noted that their faith not only in God to guide them but also in one another allowed them to have a deeper more meaningful connection. I did notice from the first segment to the last, they didn't film Lisa and Jim together at all really and I was curious about their interaction as the disease progressed.
Kat & Lindsay
12/5/2015 11:53:28 am
Thank you both for replying! Kat I wonder if perhaps Lisa found a support group that she could attend during Jim's decline and after his passing.
Margo
12/5/2015 08:31:48 pm
So many good points have been been mentioned and I am really impressed by this discussion. You have really looked at it from so many perspectives.
Lindsay Vierra
12/5/2015 11:28:51 am
First, I want to thank you, Margo, for having us watch this. Second, I want to apologize because I feel like my post is going to be really long.
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Lindsay
12/5/2015 11:46:20 am
Lindsay,
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Margo
12/5/2015 08:36:35 pm
Good point. Did each individual assume a role of caring for the other to provide the support and motivation to keep going with as much positivity as possible?
Bre
12/5/2015 01:30:39 pm
Lindsay, you are a FANTASTIC writer! I can only imagine some of the hard times you've witnessed working in oncology. You are absolutely correct though. When my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer many years ago, I remember my family being very upset, but my grandmother was still smiling and finding something positive to say.
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Lindsay
12/5/2015 02:09:22 pm
Thanks, Bre! It's really challenging to watch someone go through any disease for sure. I always find it incredible the spirit that people have though when they are given their diagnosis. It's amazing to me how they cope but I always find myself wondering if they feel the same way their families do on the inside but they put on a brave face for the family (like the person above you commented) <---I don't know who replied first because my name was in the reply line but that's a great thought, too, that Jim kept smiling because maybe that was what kept Lisa's head above water with everything that was going on!
Heather
12/6/2015 06:23:41 pm
Wow nothing Like having an wonderful empowering day doing something I couldn't physically do this time last year being on cloud 9 then settling down to watch this and bawl like a 2 year old...... Defiantly makes me rethink my life for sure. Im super floored by his outlook, mataining his positive outlook all the way through the horrific progression of such an horrible terminal illness. I don't know If I could handle it in the way he did....... I commend him for fighting all the way through and working till the last moment and always keeping moving and continuing with his daily routines as many would not do that, they would find their way to just sit there and "poor me" then die. I can not imagine having to watch a family member or friend go through this, I know I would have massive anger as I see this as torcher slowly having everything taken from you all the way to your last breath...... Knowing its coming and its coming that way........ I also cant imagine having to take care of someone going through that let alone working and having a child (Heck I cant even understand having kids to begin with then you add all that) Its such a sad situation and I thank them for making the video to share such personal struggles in an attempt to bring more awareness...... before this I had ZERO clue what ALS was or what it does....... and now I know I would be terrified if I was ever diagnosed with ALS. In fact I think I would try to find a way to be humanly euthanized before I lost my speech and able to not eat food, Thanks but I rather die at that point. Anyways a very powerful thing to watch and very emotional. Thanks for making this an assignment as it helps them reach more people Like they worked so hard to do! I think I will find a walk and attend thanks to this assignment!!
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Margo
12/7/2015 06:38:37 am
Heather, I am happy to hear that you had an empowering day. You are the first person to mention euthanasia but it is a noteworthy discussion.
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AuthorMargo Martin is a biology teacher with Dover High School and Dover Adult Learning Center. Archives
April 2017
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