Dmae Roberts presents a Humankind special documentary produced by David Freudberg about the moving story of Tucker Stilley, a remarkable spirit who, in his early forties, was diagnosed with ALS (known as Lou Gehrig's disease), a degenerative condition that leads to paralysis and frequently claims the patient's life.
In the case of Tucker, a super-creative film editor and music composer in Los Angeles, he can no longer walk, eat or speak. But he can send amazing emails notes, so we conducted our interview in a series of Q and As in written text, then used a narrator to bring his words to life. The mere fact that, no longer able to use his limbs, he has mastered his computer and can compose text (let alone continue to edit videos and make music!) is fascinating.
And we hear the voices of a large community of loved ones who've rallied to help and support Tucker. The family members you hear include his wife, film editor Lindsay Mofford, whose comments reached a rare level of emotional honesty.
More info on Humankind at: http://www.humanmedia.org/
Order this program at: http://www.humanmedia.org/catalog/program.php?products_id=307
147_tuckerstilley_wide.jpg
"Perhaps I'm not interested in despair. I have had previous experience with despair -- it's a bore. Maybe I want a universe where I am brave. I'm not facing anything that all of you won't eventually face and that everyone hasn't always faced. That might seem like cold comfort, but when I consider all those that went before, I see how I can go on, how I can do it. I'll tell you one thing, you can't fight despair -- you have to let it pass through you. Plus one of my super-powers is denial."
-- Tucker Stilley, Video editor, music composer, artist, person with life-threatening diagnosis of ALS
Note from host/producer David Freudberg:
This episode of Humankind presented some unusual production challenges and, ultimately, proved to be one of the most moving programs I've ever worked on!
The prime subject is Tucker Stilley, a remarkable spirit who, in his early forties, was diagnosed with ALS (known as Lou Gehrig's disease), a degenerative condition that leads to paralysis and frequently claims the patient's life. In the case of Tucker, a super-creative media producer and music composer, he can no longer walk, eat or speak. But he can send amazing emails notes, so we conducted our interview in a series of Q and As in written text, then used a narrator to bring his words to life. The mere fact that, no longer able to use his limbs, he has mastered his computer and can compose text (let alone continue to edit videos and make music!) is heroic -- and fascinating. We've covered that in the program. And we have the voices of a large community of loved ones who've rallied to help and support Tucker. The family members you hear include his wife, film editor Lindsay Mofford, who reached a level of emotional honesty I have rarely encountered my years of recording interviews. I'll close with the words of Tucker: "It's a challenge, but you mustn't despair. I love you all -- see you next time!"