Your vote can help West Seattle contenders in Neuro Film Festival

| Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

That short film – 7 minutes – is by two West Seattleites, Max Larkin and Emily Boardway, and if you can spare the time to watch and rate it, you could help them keep advancing the film’s mission: Telling the story of Young Onset Dementia. The short film, “The Music in Hugh: A Look at Young Onset Dementia,” shows Max taking care of – and sharing music and laughter with – his father, a practicing physician until stricken by YOD a few years ago at age 56. The film is entered in the 2010 Neuro Film Festival, launched by the American Academy of Neurology Foundation. If Max and Emily win, the prize will go toward their project Spoke Your Mind, not just raising awareness about Young Onset Dementia but also gathering support for the children of those with it. There are three prizes in the festival, including Fan Favorite, which is where your vote comes in – after you watch the video (or before), click through to its page on the YouTube site and rate it – you need a YouTube or Google log-in for that. The voting deadline is 3/17 (two weeks from today).

sun*e March 3, 2010 (7:40 am)

This was so touching… I’m still crying. It hits really close to home for me with my Mom and her two sisters all having (one aunt has passed away) to deal/dealt with the same mysterious disease. What does the future hold for me, I wonder. I love that Hugh’s family are still able to connect with him through music… anything that keeps his brain alive. The brain is such a mysterious thing. What a special film… I’m so glad I took the time to watch it and rate it on YouTube.

Linda March 3, 2010 (11:05 am)

My heart goes out to Max and Hugh. What a wonderful film. It made me reaffirm that we all need to live in the here and now because who knows what tomorrow will bring. So special to see the connection through music. What a wonderful son you are, Max!

LP March 3, 2010 (12:03 pm)

this is really awesome.

Cheryl March 3, 2010 (1:09 pm)

My mother was diagnosed w/ dementia at age 66 (after 4 yrs of me FIGHTING her docs for a diagnosis btw)… She lost her battle at age 77 in 2007. I miss her EVERY single day.

This is a touching film and I think it would be lovely if its message could get out there — as well we win the prize!

Val M March 3, 2010 (2:26 pm)

Go Max! I voted for you. This is a beautifully done piece. My father passed away in 2005 at age 70, after a brutally-long battle with a rare, front lobe dementia. He was a brilliant engineer, Air Force pilot, expert auto mechanic, and the handiest handyman you could ever have around. Everything you’re going through, I remember, and my heart is with you.

shay March 3, 2010 (4:05 pm)

What a great story. These two individuals are truly amazing, inspiring an enlightening.

elaine March 3, 2010 (9:53 pm)

That is a truly touching and tender video, so wonderful that Max has taken this tragedy and made it into something positive. Bless his father and his family. I worked on a dementia unit of a nursing home and it was heartbreaking to see doctors, attorneys, mothers, fathers, sons… try to maintain their dignity while progressively losing their independence, their talents, their thoughts, their abilties to manage the most seemingly simple daily tasks. I hope that soon there will be some real treatment that can prevent families from having to “cope” daily as Hugh and his son are having to do.

Sorry, comment time is over.