"The Alzheimer's Project"

You don't always know what you're in for when you tune in to a "dull" airplane movie... I happened to turn on "The Alzheimer's Project" heading home from a family summer vacation was glued to my seat for the next few hours.

I'd really recommend it to anyone interested at all in the illness' profound effects. "The Alzheimer's Project" is a four-part series broadcast on HBO that gives a realistic look into the the lives of various individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease, and it sheds light on family members forced to cope. Two installments of the film won Creative Arts Emmy Awards in 2009. If you're interested in watching a show or two, click this link for a free view.

One particular portion is narrated by Maria Shriver, whose father Sargent Shriver suffers from the illness and inspired her to co-executive produce the series. She narrates "Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?" which is targeted for a younger population of children and teenagers.

It's critical that such political figures continue to take active stances in the fight for more disease research and enhanced public awareness. Although this film may not have painted the prettiest picture of the disease's impacts, it certainly gave me chills - a true education.