A Documentary About Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease

Since my sister and several of my family members have suffered from Alzheimer's, I became interested when James Brevard told me about the documentary, 10 Mountains 10 Years that he had just finished editing. The purpose of this film is to have people become aware of how important it is to try to find a cure for Alzheimer's and Parkinson Disease. It is hoped by their awareness, money can be raised.

I found it very exciting when Brevard, who is also one of the producers and cinematographers, showed me pictures of the climbers on Mt.Kilimanjaro. He was one of them. These pictures will also be shown in the documentary. The following is what I have learned about this film and those who were involved in the making of it.

This film depicts people who have Alzheimer's and their caregivers. Caretakers, many times, find it almost unbearable when it comes to the late stages of this disease. At one time, it was thought that Alzheimer's was a disease of the elderly. This is not true anymore. Recently, people in their fifties and sixties have been known to have Alzheimer's.

Since there are so many people worldwide who have a family member or more than one family member who are suffering from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's Disease, several people who have family members with these two diseases decided to do something about it.

They decided to create a documentary to bring awareness to these two diseases. It was a hope that by becoming aware of how Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can destroy a human life, money can be raised to help find a cure.

Enzo Simone, one of the cast members of this film, became interested in doing something in regards for a cure for Alzheimer's after his grandmother and later his mother was diagnosed as having Alzheimer's. His desire for finding a cure became extremely strong when his father-in-law became handicapped due to Parkinson's Disease. He organized a group, known as "The Regulars." Their goal was to climb 10 mountain in 10 years.

It was during this time when Simone met Jennifer Yee, principal owner in Back Light Productions LLC and film director. They got together with some of the mountain climbers to discuss the making of a film in the hopes of raising awareness of these diseases.

The documentary, 10 Mountains 10 years features, Ken Glowienke, one of the cast members who has Parkinson's. In this film, it shows Deep Brain Stimulation, a breakthrough treatment for Parkinson's. This film also follows select individuals battling these two diseases with their long term caregivers. The excitement in this film comes when the viewers will be captured by the international team of mountain climbers who will climb 10 of the greatest peaks in the world. This film focuses mainly on Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Although The Regulars are not professional mountain climbers, each climber felt so dedicated to letting people know how important it was to find a cure for these diseases, they were determined to take this plight!! They started this project in the year 2006. Their hope is to raise awareness and money to help fund research for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease. Simone started the first official climb on Mont Blanc in France in the year 2006.

In August, 2009, eleven members from The Regulars climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Yee, producer of the film 10 Mountains 10 years, became so interested in this group that she climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with them. some of the climbers took cameras and videos on their climb on this mountain.

It was fascinating to look at the pictures of the gorgeous mountains overlooking the country. Pictures of the climbers were taken, and if you are an animal lover, (wild or tame) it was interesting to see the wild animals that Brevard and others took of this trip.

These climbers spent three days on Mt. Kilmanjaro. Including the days they spent climbing the mountain, the group spent three weeks in Tanzania.

Considering that they were not professional climbers, they were all very brave men and women.

The Regulars partnered with two charity groups; The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation and The Focus on a Care Foundation for Parkinson's.
Leeza Gibbons became interested in Alzheimer's when her mother became mentally handicapped from this disease. It was at this time when she became aware of caregivers and their need for help. Caregivers can get help by contacting Leezas Place at http://www.leezasplace.org/about.html At Leezas Place, caregivers can get support from a support group. There are also activities for those who have Alzheimer's.

It is hoped that through this documentary, which is expected to be premiered sometime in 2010, and through The Regulars, enough money can be raised for research on a cure for these two diseases. It is also hoped that money can be raised for the Caregivers Program. To find out more, or to make contributions, contact Founder/Owner/Enzo Simone at 914-714-2018 or www.theregulars.org
Source: Backlight Productions and James Brevard, one of the producers and one of the editors.
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