What Peter Jennings, David Halberstam And Myron Cohen Have In Common. Really.
We were at Newark International Airport, impatiently waiting our turn in the long line to step onto the down escalator to get to our gate. The airport was crowded because it was holiday time, and even though I knew it would be crowded I still felt agitated.
I was holding my son's little hand with my left hand and schlepping my carry-on luggage with my right. I prayed I wouldn't lose my balance by making a misstep. I tried to focus.
Then I looked up to check the line and noticed the man standing directly in front of me. He looked very familiar, like an old friend. I inspected him more closely as he chatted with the person next to him. It suddenly hit me who he was.
Peter Jennings, the highly respected (and very handsome) anchor from ABC's World News Tonight. I stared and felt like a school girl.
We were taking a tour of Manhattan with some friends who'd come in from Wisconsin. The Christmas tree was lit up in all it's beautiful glory, and Rockefeller Center was wrapped up tightly in a bow. Walking toward the skating rink was almost impossible. The crowds were thick and barely moving, so we put our "New York" on and began weaving around pedestrians like a prize fighter dancing toward the ring.
In other words, it was a typical day in New York City.
As we walked down the steps toward the skating rink I glanced up and quickly noticed a familiar face. It was David Halberstam, the Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and historian. Once again I felt like a school girl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw-xb3vAU90
What is it about famous people that makes me feel weak at the knees? My dad always taught me that everyone puts their pants on one leg at a time. Are their legs different than mine because of their accomplishments? I am no psychologist so I won't try to analyze it. But I will say that maybe it's because I'm in awe of people who have made a difference in their corner of the world. Intelligence, generosity, kindness and creativity all make me weak at the knees.
Speaking of weak at the knees, I remember vacationing in Florida with my family to visit my grandmother. We brought her back to our hotel after dinner, and as we walked through the lobby I noticed she suddenly stopped walking. She was frozen in place. We asked her what was wrong because we'd never seen her face look like that before.
Myron Cohen, the Borscht Belt comedian who delivered yarns in a thick Yiddish accent and was beloved by the Jewish community, had just walked by. I guess at that moment my grandmother also felt like a school girl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgZiGD_QYss
I think if I were born at another point in time I'd feel weak if I saw Jane Austen or Edith Wharton, and I'd certainly feel that way about Emily Dickinson. I'd be like Owen Wilson in Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris" - in awe of great talent.
Weak at the knees? I guess it means we're grateful for their talent. Yep. I'll go with that one.
My Anniversary, A Few Truths And One Great Big Fat Lie
I'm always up for something fun, especially since I'm almost in the homestretch of NaBloPoMo. So I was more than happy when the lovely Elin Stebbins Waldal of Beyond the Backyard Blues invited me and a few of my blogging buddies to play a game that begins today.
But I wasn't sure if I wanted to participate because, you see, today is my 26th wedding anniversary. The day I walked down the aisle and exchanged vows under the chuppah with my best friend.
Our journey together has been like most marriages, filled with ups and downs that, in the end, has drawn us closer together. I cherish my husband and our life together, and the way he makes me feel beautiful and valued each and every day.
The icing on our cake was the birth of our incredible son who is the joy of our lives. Together the three of us are a team, and I am mindful every day how blessed we truly are.
Now back to the game. I am going to write 5 truths and 1 lie about myself and you must decide which one is the lie. Can you spot it? Leave your comments below, and tomorrow I will reveal the answer.
A married man once asked me to be his mistress, and if I said yes he said he would rent an apartment to be our cozy little love nest.
I asked former New York City Mayor Ed Koch to lower the city's taxes.
I had a chef bake a specialty cake for me, then told my date that I baked it.
Billy Crystal asked me if I grew up in a family where we had two sets of dishes, one for dairy and one for meat.
I love flying in small airplanes. Our honeymoon was in Little Dix Bay on the island of Virgin Gorda. We flew to Puerto Rico, then took a tiny plane to the island. It was exhilarating.
I worked on an assembly line in a factory where my job was to place a tiny widget on top of every appliance that rolled by on a conveyor belt.
Gratitude,The Perfection Of Light And Shadow and Vivian Maier
I remember pieces of one particularly lazy summer afternoon during my early childhood when the hours were filled with play, laughter and bright sunshine. Lying on a grassy hill next to two friends from my neighborhood, we chatted and plucked petals from "flowers" to play a game of "He loves me. He loves me not."
That was the first time I remember paying any attention to how the sun cast shadows on the Earth. It's when I learned that one hour of the day will always look different than the next.
That might sound trivial but it was an important moment in time for me. Because that particular afternoon ignited my lifelong love of nature and light.
Watching the sunset in Encinitas, CA
From then on I've become mindful of watching how light can change the look and feel of everything around us. I'm mesmerized by the perfect beauty of light dancing on a sparkling clear lake or the shimmering glow of a majestic mountaintop. I'm in awe of the bright white of the first snowfall of the season or the sheer wonder of a rainbow after a storm.
Sunlight: Smokey, Max and Newton fighting for space in the sun
It's easy to take for granted that the sun rises every day and sets every night, and in between light and shadow plays games with what we see in our waking hours.
Recently someone I hadn't heard from in a few years called to say she saw a post of mine on Facebook. The post briefly talked about a documentary I enjoyed on Netflix called "Finding Vivian Maier." The film discusses the life of street photographer Vivian Maier who skillfully captured on film people and architecture in over 150,000 photographs, photographs that remained undiscovered until after her death.
I borrowed the movie's companion book from my friend, a book that illustrates Ms. Maier's masterful black-and-white portraits from an era gone by. She captured the essence of good photography with light, shadow and passion.
Seeing Ms. Maier's photographs took me back to that summer day so long ago, of the lessons I learned about light and shadow, and the simple pleasure of enjoying the artwork around us created by sunlight and the light of the moon.
I've climbed a mountain before dawn and sat on a beach before sunrise. Watching how light changes over the course of a day is a gift and one of life's simple pleasures. I hope you take time to be mindful of how it unfolds around you.
For thirteen years Americans have mourned and paid tribute to the tragic and senseless loss of lives that happened on our soil in the bright, cloudless skies on September 11, 2001. We've heard countless stories emerge about family and friends who perished that day. Every year we exchange details about where we were when we first learned of the shocking news that, at first, seemed like a piece of science fiction.
The Morris County 9/11 Living Memorial: Plaques with the 64 Morris County residents and the names of all the victims are displayed at the site.
Last night our community gathered for a candlelight vigil and service to pay tribute to the 64 victims we lost from Morris County, New Jersey on September 11. Held before the county's 9/11 Living Memorial built from 3 steel sections from The World Trade Center, pieces of United Flight #93 and surrounded by soil from The Pentagon,we joined together in solidarity as American citizens, and as residents of New Jersey mourning those we lost.
The 9/11 Living Memorial: This memorial is comprised of three steel sections from the World Trade Center, pieces of United Flight #93, and soil from the Pentagon. The concrete blocks at the base of the steel represent the foundations of our lives: family, relationships and community.
On the morning of September 11, 2001 I pulled my son out of school because forty miles away our beloved Manhattan was under attack. Like many other moms standing in line, we wanted our children with us because we simply didn't know what, if anything, might happen next.
Sitting at last night's candlelight vigil with my adult son sitting beside me, these thoughts came flooding back. Our world, and his, were forever changed.
Bless You, America: The flag against the beauty of the night sky
With September 11 looming and the heinous and violent acts occurring around the world, we are reminded of the fragility of life, the importance of kindness, tolerance and compassion, and the responsibility we have to help one another as best as we can.
A lone bagpipe played while local police and EMS workers marched past us to begin the ceremony
My wish for you and your loved ones is for a world where peaceful coexistence is not only possible but is the norm, where goodness overcomes evil, and that all of our lives are blessed with joy and good health.
Those who read my blog regularly know that we were unable to take a vacation this summer. Our area offers its own beauty, history and fun. We've been taking advantage of the laid-back feel of summer by visiting several areas that help us feel as if we've been away. Here's one area I think everyone who comes to the New York area should explore.
The famous Colgate clock built in 1924 stands next to an empty lot where the company once stood. Further down are views of The Statue of Liberty.
Last weekend my husband and I continued our summer theme of a “staycation” by exploring areas of fun and interest in our own backyard. Taking advantage of the beautiful summer weather, we wanted to do something outdoors that we’ve never done before.
We wanted to walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Unfortunately we got a late start. Growing up in New Jersey we should’ve known better. If you leave late you’re almost guaranteed getting stuck in traffic. Years ago most people went down the shore (a true Jersey term), drove out to the Hamptons or north to the Berkshires to escape the summer heat. That left the local highways desolate.
Not anymore.
On the way to the Brooklyn Bridge something happened that changed our plans. But no matter where we go there's always something, um, interesting to see along the way.
As we neared the turnoff for The Holland Tunnel we saw miles of cars tied up in bumper-to-bumper traffic. Suddenly my husband shouted, “What’s Plan B?” I immediately answered, “Take the exit for Jersey City.”
Let me go back a few years. I was born in Jersey City, and my parents moved us to the suburbs when I was 3. My father continued to work there for years, and after we left my grandparents moved into our old apartment.
My last impression was the city’s unfortunate decline.
I still have a few memories of the old Jersey City, like The Landmark Loews Jersey Theatre in Journal Square, a grand movie palace my grandparents took me to during sleepovers with them. Built in 1929, it’s now listed as a historical site. The theater eventually fell into disrepair, but today, under new ownership, I'm happy to report that volunteers have restored it to its original grandeur.
The Loew's Jersey Theatre (1932) Photo Credit: loewsjersey.org
Jersey City is located along the Hudson River, lying directly across from Lower Manhattan and carrying 11 miles of waterfront property.
Today, young professionals are flocking to enjoy a rebirth of the area, with redevelopment along the waterfront and a new, exciting downtown that is enticing new residents. With cute cafes, good restaurants, and new businesses moving in such as Chase Manhattan Bank and Merrill Lynch, it is a desirable home to a diverse population.
After we parked and headed toward the path along the waterfront, the first thing I saw took my breath away: the sight of the beautiful Freedom Tower standing tall and majestic against the bright blue sky. We took a solemn moment as we remembered what once stood there, and how it changed the heart of a nation.
We will never forget you.
On September 11 Jersey City lost 37 of its residents. The city pays tribute to them with the dedication of two lovely memorials.
We will never forget those we lost.
As we began our stroll down the path, I was struck by the colorful artwork on display. As I looked closer I learned that each painting was created by a student. They expressed their ideas about freedom, hope, tolerance and compassion, and their plan for a better world. In a world gone mad, I pray that their dreams come true.
They are our future, the peacemakers of tomorrow.
We ate a simple lunch on a lovely patio while enjoying the scenery and the joy of a beautiful day. When we were done we continued on our walk, passing tall glass buildings housing various businesses, some small manicured gardens, comfortable looking benches, the PATH train station and a beautiful new Hyatt with unobstructed views of Manhattan.
The rebirth of Jersey City
We stopped into the Hyatt (of course I needed their bathroom!) and Gary waited for me on a comfortable couch surrounded by windows. He enjoyed a birds-eye view of Lower Manhattan as he waited.
The view from The Hyatt.
It's easy to travel to Jersey City from Manhattan with the NJ Waterway delivering you right to the Jersey City waterfront. There is also the PATH train (run by The Port of Authority NY and NJ). Check their websites for accessibility and schedules.
The NJ Waterway that runs between Jersey City and Lower Manhattan is an easy way to travel
We had a wonderful day, and I was happy to discover the renovation of my birthplace. I plan on visiting it again to explore more of its restaurants and culture in the near future. Want to join me?
"Gene Kelly: The Legacy" And An Exclusive Interview With Patricia Ward Kelly On The Life Of Her Late Husband
PROLOGUE
Here’s an easy question for you: Can you name a legendary dancer and innovative choreographer who also successfully directed movies, and whose athleticism, masculinity and exuberance won audiences’ hearts the world over each time his magical gifts leapt onto the silver screen?
There’s only one correct answer: Gene Kelly.
His magic was palpable every time he dazzled us on the screen. Classics such as “On the Town”, “An American In Paris” and the musical of musicals, “Singin' in the Rain” were phenomenons yesterday and still are today.
After hearing that Gene Kelly’s widow/biographer, Patricia Ward Kelly, was finally bringing her unique show, GENE KELLY: THE LEGACY - AN EVENING WITH PATRICIA WARD KELLY, to New York City I was ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to buy my ticket to learn more about the man and the performer from the person who knew him best.
After my friend and fellow blogger Lisa Carpenter of Grandma’s Briefs reviewed this event last year, I became excited about seeing Mrs. Kelly using her mix of rare and familiar film clips, unreleased audio clips from conversations with her husband, while adding her own thoughtful commentary to give us a behind-the-scenes look at her husband.
This would be the stuff my dreams are made of.
The first time the Kelly’s met was in 1985, when Patricia Ward was 26 and her future husband was 73. She was hired as a writer for a television special. Her husband, as she tells it, was a last minute replacement for Gregory Peck. On her way to the bathroom, dressed in work boots and a typical “big hairstyle” of the 1980’s, she ran into a dapper gentleman who simply said hello.
She had no idea who he was.
He eventually invited her to join him in California to help write his memoirs. They fell in love and married in 1990. They remained married until his death in 1996.
When Patricia agreed to a telephone interview a week before the event, I was thrilled. Our conversation started off by talking about family, film and the genius of Gene Kelly. It felt comfortable to speak with her, and her amiable manner made it easy for us to chat for forty-five fascinating minutes.
Photo Credit: The Gene Kelly Legacy/Facebook Photo/Stand for the Arts/Symphony Space
THE GENE KELLY LEGACY/INTERVIEW WITH PATRICIA WARD KELLY
Gene Kelly has been gone for almost twenty years, yet his body of work is timeless. He has influenced countless performers with his innovations in dance, choreography and directing.
His dream was to become a shortstop for his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates. Instead he became a classically trained ballet dancer, and studied modern dance with Martha Graham and Doris Humphrey. A trained acrobat and gymnast, he could even walk a tightrope
He fell in love with in jazz, and also enjoyed American composers such as Cole Porter and Irving Berlin's music to dance to. After the crash of 1929 he began to choreograph dance to win prize money for his family.
Eventually he landed in New York.
Searching for work as a choreographer eventually led him to a minor role in a Cole Porter play, then onto his breakthrough role in, “The Time Of Your Life,” and finally Broadway stardom as the lead in “Pal Joey.”
But Hollywood kept calling, and he answered the call with his screen debut in, "For Me and My Gal" opposite Judy Garland. Soon after, he appeared in his breakthrough role as a dancer on film in “Cover Girl”, co-starring Rita Hayworth, where he created an innovative routine dancing against his shadow at a time, as Mrs. Kelly points out, when there were no computers to edit the scene.
That’s when he decided to challenge himself to change the way dance looked on film because it was, as his wife said, two-dimensional. He illustrated the best of dance by choreographing dancers to move towards the camera, using light and color to add a third dimension, and insisting that dancers’ full figures be filmed instead of close-ups of arms or feet.
Using inanimate objects such as a mop, a newspaper, a cartoon character named Jerry or dancing with his shadow, Gene Kelly successfully won his own challenge.
Part of the reason Patricia Kelly created her show was to illustrate how relevant her husband’s work is today. She’s traveling around the world, and makes a point to introduce his work to younger audiences. As she told me, “It continues to resonate with them, and they see he is cool and relevant and he still doesn’t seem dated."
“I am taking it to universities and high schools so young people can get a different appreciation. Then when they look at contemporary musicals they’ll see it differently, that they are chopped up. It’s really body parts, which is what Gene really disliked.
“He’s still the go-to guy for choreographers, dancers, cinematographers and directors. He set a standard. They’d learn quite a bit if they’d study why he did what he did. That’s what I hope to do with this show. I hope to educate people in an entertaining way."
She entertained us for three solid hours, and showed us how authentic she is by personally greeting us as we arrived at the theater.
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor in Singin' in the Rain trailer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Her one-woman show felt as if she had invited us to “sit on the couch” with the Kelly’s. (A phrase she repeatedly used. It was a favorite spot for the couple to sit and chat while they listened to some of Mr. Kelly’s favorite songs, including songs by Mr. Kelly’s dear friend, confidante, and three-time co-star, Frank Sinatra.)
“I had the privilege of recording him (Gene) nearly every day for over ten years,” Mrs. Kelly told me over the phone, “so I have a story that no one else has. But I do tell people that Gene’s is an extraordinary legacy to represent in any fashion. He doesn’t need any help because it stands on his own. When we talked about it, Gene was explicit in how he wished to be remembered. It is for being behind the camera, and for the innovations with the choreography and the use of the camera and capturing dance.
“Many people who know of his work don’t think about him in those terms. They think of some glorious man up on the screen, and don’t understand how radical it was in what he was doing with Jerry the Mouse and "Cover Girl."
“Unlike a singer, you can look away for a minute but don’t miss the song. But with a dancer if you look away, you just interrupted the whole sequence; you missed something.
“His whole thing is that the camera had to stay on the dancer. I think sadly that today it’s the editors and camera operators who are making the choices of the shots, as opposed to someone who really understands the dance. And so I encourage a lot of today’s choreographers to direct and call the shots like Gene did. Maybe they will start to do that and start to turn things around.
"It’s funny because Gene was more contemporary 60 years ago than what we see today. He was newer and fresher than the stuff we’re seeing now.”
Gene Kelly portrait (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
EPILOGUE
Patricia Ward Kelly talks to me about Gene Kelly exclusively for An Empowered Spirit:
On his influences:
“As far as tap it was Bill (Bojangles) Robinson. He knew him before he was “Bojangles” and spoke of him a lot. And a guy named Clarence Dancing Dotson, who he saw in Pittsburgh. A lot of traveling acts that came through Pittsburgh influenced him.
I just wrote a piece for "Biography" that you see Bill Robinson in “Moses Supposes” in the "Singin' in the Rain" number itself. Bill had a style that Gene just loved. He loved the perfection and precision of his taps and the clean sound. He thought he was the epitome of tap dancing.”
On having to repeatedly answer the same questions (and promising I d ask fresh and never-before-asked questions):
“Well, no, that's okay. I think it’s good to get it out. I think you make a really good point and this is again, the method to my madness in this show because people don’t realize Gene had such breadth in his dancing and in his choreography. What I try to do subtly is to let people see the different styles of dance, so they can see the dimensions. That’s really important because I think that is what distinguishes him."
On what Gene Kelly would want dancers to be working on today:
“Instead of creating new material, they are doing stage versions of, for example, ‘Singin' in the Rain.’ They kind of go back and redo the stuff that’s been done, and that’s not what Gene wanted. He didn’t want people to imitate what he had done, he wanted them to take it and make it their own.
One of the dancers for the American Ballet Theatre, Herman Cornejo, was deeply influenced by Gene, and has become this extraordinary classical dancer who also plays a role as he’s dancing, so he really embodies Gene, as does the Italian dancer Roberto Bolle.
And a lot of the dancers at The New York City Ballet and a lot at ABT and a lot at San Francisco Ballet and Joffrey. They are doing it in a slightly different way, but they definitely are absorbing it and taking it forward.
Then there are a lot of these choreographers that I meet, and they’ve memorized all of Gene’s stuff and are trying to incorporate it, taking and doing things with it and experimenting. A lot of them need to move into the director’s role so that they have the control over the work, otherwise they’re creating things but it’s not executed quite the same.”
About the demographics and love of the show:
“I’m seeing audiences from ages 9 – 90, with half men and half women, which is unusual. It cuts across all economic divisions. I am still continued to be amazed with the letters I get after the show, and what aspects of his career has touched someone.
"I get just as much out of doing this as the people who see the show. I’d do this every night if I could. I’d do it every place in the world if I could.”
On directing movies such as "Hello Dolly", "Cheyenne Social Club" and "Guide for the Marrying Man":
“He preferred to direct and choreograph. He’d just as soon not be in front of the camera, but the studio wanted him to perform. He much preferred to be in the creative seat, and he directed several things just primarily for the people who were in them. "Cheyenne Social Club" is a great example with Jimmy Stewart and Hank Fonda, and "Gigot" with Jackie Gleason.
"Gene was disappointed in "Gigot" because he thought Jackie Gleason had the right of final cut and it turned out he didn’t, and they both were extremely unhappy with what the Seven Arts people did.
"In the archives there are wonderful black and white photographs of the two of them shooting that. And again it isn’t well known of the relationship between the two, and there’ll be quite a lot about it in the book, when I finish it.”
About co-starring in "Inherit the Wind" with film heavyweights Spencer Tracy and Frederic March:
“It’s really a superb performance, and as I say in the show, he went to the rushes the first day and never went back. He felt he did the best he possibly could with two giants.”
Kelly as Hornbeck in Inherit the Wind
On retiring:
“He was very conscious of his own image, and in retiring, when he knew he couldn’t jump over the tables the way that he used to, he retired.
"I think Gene was very right to end his career so he stays kind of evergreen. He’s kind of always preserved in this contemporary manner and I think that was very smart on his part."
On working on his legacy:
“After his house fire in 1983, many of his letters and photographs survived. There is an extraordinary collection that I inherited from Gene, and I think he knew I was a trained archivist. I’m working on cataloguing everything, documenting it, and putting everything in archival sleeves. It will all ultimately go to a public institution.
"I don’t believe it should stay in private hands. I believe it should be available to the world and I’m kind of working on a virtual exhibition of it so that people can access it around the world if they can’t travel to a particular place.
"He and I went through a lot of things together, the photographs for example, and he would comment on them and I annotated them.
"The same with the letters. We went through those, so I have a lot of his responses to the letters. It’s a huge volume of material, and I’m still going through a lot of it, and I discover new things every day.
"I’m kind of looking forward to getting back into that. I’ve been on the road so much with the show I haven’t had as much time to get in and work on the archives.
"It’s exciting because it’s an extraordinary collection of the history of the 20th century through correspondences. He was so connected to so many different types of people, not just dancers and filmmakers, but politicians, historians, writers and artists.
"I try to connect all the dots wondering what play did he see that night and what are they all commenting on? What was the date and what theatre?
"But talk about great work, if you’re going to be passionate about something, this is a pretty great thing to be passionate about!"
What Patricia said that made me feel even happier:
“I think you have a very broad and appropriate understanding of him and his work. Some people have much less knowledge of his real contribution, so I think he would certainly appreciate that”.
I certainly hope so!
END NOTES
Check out The Gene Kelly Legacy website, and sign up to stay abreast of events and activities. You can also visit their Facebook page to keep up with Patricia. I hope she will be coming to a location near you!
The Dizzy Feet Foundation is an organization Patricia is passionate about. Their mission is to support, improve and increase access to dance education in the United States.
Get Your Tickets! Madison Square Garden/New York Liberty Announces Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Night
On Sunday, August 17 at 6pm there will be a special event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. This fun and exciting program, “Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Night at Madison Square Garden”, will be taking place as the women’s professional basketball team The New York Liberty play against Indiana Fever.
In partnership with The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (New York City/Southern New York Chapter), the first 30 families who purchase tickets will receive a “special fan experience during the game.” At $15/ticket, it’s a win-win! You’ll be watching some great basketball and supporting women’s sports while you support MS Awareness.
ABOUT MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (definition provided by The Mayo Clinic):
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease in which your immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers your nerves. Myelin damage disrupts communication between your brain and the rest of your body. Ultimately, the nerves themselves may deteriorate, a process that's currently irreversible.
Signs and symptoms vary widely, depending on the amount of damage and which nerves are affected. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently or at all, while others experience long periods of remission during which they develop no new symptoms.
There's no cure for Multiple Sclerosis. However, treatments can help speed recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.
When I Walk: A Documentary Premiering On PBS Is An Honest Look At Life With MS
The film “When I Walk” by filmmaker Jason DaSilva will premiere on PBS on Monday, June 23, 2014. It was an Official Selection at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, and the Best Canadian Feature at HotDocs, 2013. Original music is composed by Emmy award winner Jeff Beal (read my interview with Jeff about his MS journey here.) I was provided with a complimentary copy of the film. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.
By the age of 25, Jason DaSilva was a young man blazing his own trail as an accomplished documentary filmmaker, picking up an Oscar nod along the way for his film “Olivia’s Puzzle.” His talents as a documentarian were evident as his star began to rise with several well-reviewed films under his belt.
He seemed unstoppable.
Jason enjoyed an active social life that was typical of a young man living in Manhattan, enjoying the vibrancy of an exciting city with friends and family.
All of that was about to suddenly change forever.
Jason enjoyed capturing his life on film. Bringing his camera along on a day at the beach at a family outing was typical. But this particular day would be different. Jason had no way of knowing that while he was busy documenting his life, something terrible was about to happen.
While walking on the sand, Jason suddenly fell to his knees. As hard as he tried, he couldn’t stand up. For the first time in his life Jason was totally helpless, forcing him to rely on others to get him back on his feet.
This was the beginning of Jason’s next journey.
Jason received the devastating news that he had primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis, a form of MS that steadily worsens without any distinct relapses. He soon realized that filming his journey would be unprecedented; he was the perfect person to illustrate what it was like to live a life with a degenerative disease.
This film is a dedication to Jason’s struggle, and I applaud his indomitable spirit that he displays with his broad smile and genial manner while facing each day with more obstacles than the one before. He exposes himself to us on film, and we are a silent audience helplessly watching this lovely, vibrant man bravely face the horror of his disease.
“When I Walk” is an extraordinary piece of art, bringing us along on Jason’s journey, watching him slowly lose the ability to walk, to see and to maneuver a city that can be inaccessible and unkind to someone with a disability.
What struck me about this film is Jason’s unwavering honesty and his life-affirming outlook on the joy of life. We watch him laugh and cry, always relying on his strong inner spirit to guide him with the harsh realities of living with MS. His family envelops him, and I was particularly touched by how spiritually strong his mother was, taking care of his physical, emotional and spiritual needs with tough love.
Alice, Jason’s new wife, is his partner in every way. She, too, shares her honesty about life with a husband who is living with an incurable disease. Her dedication to Jason is touching to watch, from their courtship to their wedding, and then onto trying to start a family. A tragic miscarriage at a hospital that was inaccessible to Jason was heartbreaking to watch. But then some good news. Well, you’ll have to watch the film!
While traveling around the world in a quest to find a miracle – healing waters, meditation, yoga – we witness Jason trying to find a cure, searching for a way back to the life he once knew.
In the MS community, Jason is a giant among us. He has been telling his story since his diagnosis, and I have had the good fortune to read his story and hear about his ventures for a long time. His film has been highly anticipated because it tells our story to the non-disabled world. We not only applaud Jason for his efforts, but also thank him for creating this documentary. Educating others about Multiple Sclerosis is important to us, because we want them to know that we matter, we add great value to the world, and we are more than our MS. We continue to keep hope in our hearts that a cure will be found in our lifetime.
“These days, I’m working on developing AXS Map, a crowd-sourced online tool for sharing reviews on the wheelchair accessibility of buildings in New York City. And while I miss the incredible spontaneity and unlimited access to the city I once had, my diagnosis was not the end of the world….it has provided a new way for me to see and be in the world. This was the basis for the voice and heart that emerged in the film.” ~Jason DaSilva, Director/Producer
Thank A Nurse This Week As We Celebrate National Nurses Week
This week is National Nurses Week (May 6 – May 12), and to honor these remarkably dedicated health professionals I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to them for the difference they make in all of our lives.
The first nurse we learn about is Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, who came to prominence during the Crimean War when she began tending to wounded soldiers at night.
Today, nurses do so much more than tend to our physical needs. They care for our emotional ones as well by treating the whole person with compassion and a good ear. They not only see the patient's physical wounds, but they also see a human being with deeper needs.
In the world of today’s health care, that is no ordinary feat.
To a nurse the needs of the patient comes first despite their own grueling hours, daily physical exertion and the sharing of some traumatic events that would send anyone else to their knees.
Their goal is to make a difference in our lives.
Nurses comfort and heal us, whether nestling closely to a dying patient, hugging a scared child or listening to our worries.
Aside from the nurses who’ve cared for my own health needs, I was blessed to work with many talented ones while working at IOMSN (International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses.) Let me introduce you to a few:
Why do I love Dottie? Aside from being my Words with Friends warrior, she recently said this to me:
“My signature line is that I am proud to be part of a group of nurses who care FOR and ABOUT people with MS. But, when folks suggest I am one in a million, I correct them that I am one in over 2,000 MS nurses (IOMSN) worldwide who specialize in MS nursing.”
After being an RN for 50 years, Dottie is a tireless warrior not only in Words with Friends but with every patient she meets. She’s helped me, and countless others, with her knowledge and compassionate heart. I will be forever grateful that she is also my friend.
Gretchen Mathewson: Specialty Coordinator, Nurse Practitioner of Neurology at The Mount Sinai Hospital, Corinne Dickinson Goldsmith Multiple Sclerosis Center, New York City.
I recently changed neurologists, which meant I also changed nurse practitioners. During a recent checkup I spent time with Gretchen, who not only gave me time to ask all of my questions, she also gave me advice unlike any other:
“Try to forget you’re disabled. Take up martial arts for balance, and go back to yoga. Live your life without thinking of yourself as disabled.”
That’s a hard task since I write about disability, but I’m trying to separate myself between Cathy the Writer and Cathy the Healthy Woman who happens to have MS.
What’s special about Michelle? She also has MS. Anyone with MS knows that fatigue can be our number one enemy. But Michelle keeps moving by helping and caring for others. As she says:
“What I love about working with those with MS is the ability to educate. To encourage, create hope and provide support for patients, and finally to inspire them to live their own lives with a positive wellness approach.
NOTE: If you live in the St. Louis area, please check out Michelle’s upcoming fundraising event, MS Evening of Hope.
Claire Mayone is a nurse with Genzyme’s One to One Program. A veteran of the nursing world for over 25 years, Claire decided to dedicate her skills after her husband’s MS diagnosis. She now helps others navigate the many challenges of having an unpredictable disease.
Read more about Claire and the MS One to One program, a unique resource and program for people living with MS and their care partners. Members are provided with personal support and access to trained MS nurses over the phone or online. Visit www.MSOnetoOne.com or call 1-855-676-6326.
Yoga: Giving Yourself The Gift Of Good Health During Midlife
Yesterday I returned to a yoga class after an absence of a year and a half. A frozen shoulder prevented me from attending the weekly class I love. I also missed Sheila, my gifted and compassionate instructor who arrived to class with a book of "Yoga for People with Multiple Sclerosis" and "Yoga For People Over 50" in hand. She didn't need the books, but having them endeared her to me even more.
Now that I'm back in the yoga saddle again, I thought I'd repost something I wrote in 2012. If you're looking for a way to sleep better, heal aches and pains, keep sickness at bay, improve flexibility, strengthen muscles, improve balance, help to prevent arthritis, keep your spinal discs supple, get your blood flowing, alleviate stress and worry, or lower blood sugar and LDL, yoga is perfect for you! Read on:
“The body is your temple. Keep it pure and clean for the soul to reside in.” ~B.K.S. Iyengar, Yoga: The Path To Holistic Health
When I was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis I was 28 years old and in good physical shape. I worked in Manhattan and walked 16 blocks from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to my office – in rain, snow or sunshine.
At the time, I lived in Weehawken, New Jersey, a township located along the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan. Each day, after returning to my apartment, I'd slip into my workout clothes and pop my new Jane Fonda Workout video into my VCR (for those of you too young to know what a VCR is, it is a video cassette recorder).
The workout kept me in shape, feeling limber and balanced. But after my diagnosis, that all changed.
Yet life continued on. The following year I got married, and in 1992 we had a beautiful, healthy son. Working out during the day was not an option for me. When my son napped, I napped!
When he was entered middle school I decided to take a yoga class. I was beginning to feel like my body was one tight knot, and the pounds were slowly creeping up on me.
My yoga class was filled with other women who, like me, had young children in school and felt the need to learn the practice of yoga. It was an intermediate class (you know – handstands and all) but the yoga instructor, Sheila, assured me she could adapt the more difficult moves to my disability (by then my MS caused my right leg to be totally numb and weakened).
In the beginning, my version of the “Downward Dog” was standing parallel to the wall with my hands pressed against it, my feet a few feet behind me to feel the stretch in my calves and feet. My teacher had great patience with me, and weeks later I was able to do an authentic Downward Dog along with the rest of the class.
I began to feel more limber and balanced. But, somehow, life got busy and I stopped taking yoga. Months turned into years without any yoga classes. I went to a few Restorative Yoga classes at a different yoga studio now and then, but the class never felt as comfortable or rewarding.
Now that I am in my fifties, my muscles feel tight and achy all of the time. Getting out of bed in the morning is a daily treat because my legs won’t always work the way I want them to.
I finally – finally – thought to myself that enough is enough. I thought that If I feel like this now how will I feel in ten, twenty or thirty years? It was time to take care of my body again.
It was time to get back to yoga.
A few weeks ago I signed up for a Gentle Yoga class taught by another lovely woman, Claire, whose class I’d taken a few years ago at my local library. I nervously walked into the studio with my yoga mat and blanket and chose my place on the floor. I began my warm-up, and felt good about what I was doing.
After Claire began class we heard three yoga chimes slowly ring in the air until their sound faded. We were ready to begin. I followed instructions for each pose, paying attention to my breath and meditating with each pose. I stretched every part of my body and balanced myself through deeper breathing.
I felt spiritually renewed.
As we age we need to keep our bodies and our minds toned, limber and active. We need to consider the quality of life we want to try to have as we grow older.
Everyone reading this post has their own set of family genes or health issues to contend with, so we all need to think about what we can do right now to live a better quality of life.
You can consider intermediate, gentle or restorative yoga as I did, or perhaps you’d prefer t’ai chi, or another complementary therapy. I recommend taking a complimentary class to try it out, and always speak to the instructor about any special requirements. Please consult with your doctor before taking any class.
Remember, you are taking an important step in taking better care of yourself. This is a gift you are giving to yourself – the gift of good health. Namaste.
Two Videos That Help Us Do A Happy Dance To Celebrate Spring
What did I hear? It's spring? I don't believe it. When I look out my window there's still snow on the ground. The temperatures are in the forties. I need more proof.
But it is late March, so I'm going to do my happy dance anyway (be wary, Elaine Benes) because I know that shortly I'll be able to shed my heavy coat and sweater, walk outside, and feel the sun warm up my cold, winterized body.
I'll let this movie mashup take it from here. You'll want to get up and dance!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l5TrAXScbE
I couldn't end this post without a nod to my favorite commercial, one that's always made me happy. You can't sit still during this one with Cary, Gene, Groucho and Twinkletoes.
Finding A Balance Between Work And Play (Or How I'm Getting My Groove Back)
This was an unusual week for me. Not because there wasn’t a snowstorm, or because I finally found time to go shoe shopping.
It was unusual because I went out to dinner three times.
When I was in my twenties and working in New York City, my friends and I would think nothing of dining out every night. We were young, and the world was our oyster. Needless to say my bank account suffered from all of those pearls.
But that’s another story.
These days, my life is a busy one, filled with countless hours of work and the heavy demands of my personal life.
I’m not complaining because I love what I do, but sometimes my social life suffers. That bothers me a lot.
So I’ve decided to take better care of my social needs by finding time to engage in the world outside of social media.
Yes, there are people who also exist outside of my laptop. I vaguely remember that.
I love spending quality time with friends, family and colleagues. I find true value in maintaining an equal balance between the deeply satisfying work I do and having an active and vibrant social life.
It’s something I’ve been missing for awhile, and it’s time to get back into the game.
This week, I went out one night with my nephew and son while they’re on spring break. Another was dinner with a dear friend I haven’t seen in a year, and another was a lovely romantic dinner with my husband.
Dinners from around the world - Mexican, Thai and Vietnamese -filled my stomach and my heart.
But wait! I’ve been writing about being on the Jenny Craig program, so how could I enjoy three dinners out?
It was simple. I was careful with my portion sizes, filled my plate with more vegetables than protein, and drank a lot of water.
I also planned ahead by time by stepping up my exercise routine. My new Fitbit was a big help by forcing me to increase the number of steps I took each day. That way, if I ate too many tortilla chips, a couple of vegetable spring rolls or drank a delicious glass (or two) of Spatlese, the total amount of steps I took would work in my favor.
When Judgment Day came, and I stepped onto the always-dreaded scale, I found out my game plan worked.
I was down another pound.
It feels good to know I’m taking baby steps toward taking better care of not only my physical needs, but also my social ones.
We all need to think of ourselves as a whole person instead of difference pieces that make up the whole. We are born whole, and tending toward our health should always include taking care of our emotional and social needs, no matter how busy we are. We all deserve it.
How do you balance your work life with your personal one?
*I received a free month on the Jenny Craig program and a discount on food for this review. There was no compensation. All opinions are solely my own. NOTE: Clients following the Jenny Craig program lose, on average, 1 -2 lbs. per week.
