Brain Support Network will be co-hosting with Family Caregiver Alliance a virtual screening of the educational film “SPARK” on Wednesday, June 30, 11am-12:30pm PT. “SPARK” is a terrific new documentary created by the Lewy Body Dementia Association and the producers of “Robin’s Wish.” It’s about Robin Williams and Lewy body dementia (LBD).
After the 40-minute film, there will be a 45-minute panel discussion featuring three people you must see/hear —
* Bruce Miller, MD, director of the UCSF Memory & Aging Center,
* Dianne Weitzel, leader of the local SF Bay Area LBD caregiver support group, and
* Denise Dagan, long-time volunteer with Brain Support Network.
Dr. Miller is featured in the film “SPARK” as an expert on LBD. Dianne’s husband Gary died several years ago; LBD was confirmed through brain donation. Denise’s father Harry died several years ago; LBD was confirmed through brain donation. (The brain donations were both arranged by Brain Support Network. Note that LBD is confirmed through brain donation less than half the time.)
Even if you’ve recently seen “SPARK,” please tune in for the panel discussion as Dr. Miller, Dianne, and Denise are not to be missed. Dr. Miller has great empathy for those on the LBD journey. He is a treasure to the dementia community in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dianne and Denise are caregivers who have experienced hallucinations, delusions, fluctuating cognition, and dementia-related behavior. Both are long-time members of BSN’s local LBD caregiver-only support group meeting. The panel discussion will be recorded.
I saw a private viewing of “Robin’s Wish” before it was released a couple of years ago. While the film has wonderful interviews with Robin Williams’s family and friends, it was not focused on LBD. In contrast, “SPARK” is focused on LBD.
This film and our 45-minute panel discussion are ideal for all Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease dementia caregivers — regardless of the stage of caregiving. There will be something here for every caregiver, family member, or friend.
Register here:
If for some reason you can’t make that day/time, please register. Christina Irving and other friends at Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) are coordinating this event. We believe they will alert all registrants when the recording for the panel discussion is posted to the FCA YouTube channel.
Robin