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Bearing Witness: Robert Coley-Donohue

2003 1 h 30 min
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This feature documentary is a portrait of Robert Coley-Donohue a man living with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, a fatal degenerative neuro-muscular disease that strikes two in 100,000 people. The film follows Robert over the last 3 years of his life. His experience is arduous, but also filled with hope and healing. If, like Robert, we can face death with grace and the comfort of family and friends, then death will hold less fear.

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Bearing Witness: Robert Coley-Donohue

Details

This feature documentary is a portrait of Robert Coley-Donohue a man living with ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, a fatal degenerative neuro-muscular disease that strikes two in 100,000 people. The film follows Robert over the last 3 years of his life. His experience is arduous, but also filled with hope and healing. If, like Robert, we can face death with grace and the comfort of family and friends, then death will hold less fear.
  • director
    Dan Curtis
  • writer
    Jim Osborne
  • camera
    Dan Curtis
  • sound
    Dan Curtis
  • picture editing
    Dan Curtis
  • music composer
    Tobin Stokes
  • producer
    Pierre Lapointe
    Adam Symansky
  • executive producer
    Sally Bochner
  • sound editor
    Don Ayer
  • re-recording
    Jean Paul Vialard
  • online editor
    Denis Pilon
    Denis Gathelier
  • digital editing technician
    Phyllis Lewis
  • title design
    Gaspard Gaudreau
  • post-production coordinator
    Linda Payette
  • program administrator
    Marie Tonto-Donati
    Nickie Merulla
  • production clerk
    Sia Koukoulas
  • transcription
    Susan Panneton

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Education

Ages 15 to 18
Study Guide
School subjects

Warnings: Emotional content. Robert and his children cry several times as the ALS progresses, and Robert also cries during a visit to his wife’s grave.

Summary with teaching points

This documentary follows Robert as he deteriorates after a diagnosis of ALS. After viewing the film, students can discuss the impact ALS has on mental health and on the family and friends. As Robert’s disease progresses, he loses independence. Students could discuss the role of society in caring for those who are dying. In the end Robert decides to have the G-tube removed. Discuss the rights dying people have as their body fails them. Students could research ALS or other progressive diseases. Have there been changes in the treatment of ALS since the film was made? 

Bearing Witness: Robert Coley-Donohue
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