Discussion Guide

Louie, Louie, a portrait of a man living with Parkinson’s disease, provides an extremely insightful look into the physical and psychosocial challenges of this illness and the human will to survive. The story of Louis Salzman honors both the uniqueness and determination of a man living with Parkinson’s disease while he reshapes his life and relationships with his family.

For health care professionals, a dialogue of the movie can evoke an awakening of what is really significant to those living with chronic illnesses and how people live what is important to them. A scholarly dialogue of this film can assist health care professionals; nursing students, medical students, social workers and others to enhance their understanding of our responsibility to preserve the dignity of the person no matter what the diagnosis.

In addition, Louis’ story augments our knowledge of the coping skills individuals develop in the face of catastrophic events. Finally, the movie is an obvious portrayal that individuals do not live infirmity in isolation but share both the opportunities and constraints in their journey with those close to them. Hopefully, the following suggested discussion questions will serve as a guide to stimulate dialogue regarding the human aspect of living with a chronic illness and related disability.

– Dr. Dolores Huffman

Click here to download the discussion guide for Louie, Louie: A Portrait of Parkinson’s for academics.

Click here to download the discussion guide for Louie, Louie: A Portrait of Parkinson’s for family and caregivers.

NEW CAREGIVING Article by Sally Writes, who is committed to helping people deal with Caregiving.

While the need for care is common, very little is done in the way of helping educate carers and provide them with the support they need. As the Content Manager for a small senior care site, I felt it important we cover the topic of caregiver duties and how to make the lives of caregivers easier. I know from personal experience that caring for a loved one is exhausting both physically and emotionally. Check out the article here: https://www.shieldmysenior.com/caregiver-duties/.”-Sally Writes

Celebrating America’s Caregivers

Caregivers take on a large amount of responsibility and it is often a full-time job. Of the Americans who reach the age of 65 and over, 70 percent are likely to need a caregiver at some stage of their lives. These people who give their lives up to help others should be celebrated and what better way to show the impact they can have on another’s life than through the medium of film.

Caregivers don’t just provide medical assistance, they also tend to personal hygiene, day to day tasks such as going to the bathroom and transportation. They must have patience and resilience when helping those with disabilities and are often a companion for the person being cared for. Our film on a man’s battle with Parkinson’s shows how a family can also struggle when a family member is no longer able to care for themselves. Caregivers can be a massive support but this article reminds us that caregivers need to look after themselves too. 

 caregiver Guide by Sally Writes

Films in Progress

Sole Sisters

"Every Shoe has a story. Every woman has both." SOLE SISTERS will be a documentary film about women's lives seen through personal stories about their shoes. Anchored by the film, Media Projects will develop a multi-media platform with educational and entertainment experiences that include the web, theater and publishing opportunities.

The Battle For Our Neighborhood

Tells the human impact of development over the past 15 years in a Dallas neighborhood. Its story can be repeated in other cities around the country.

JOHN KIZELL: A Slave Fights Slavery

Recounts the heroic life of John Kizell - seized from his African village and brought to Charles Town, S.C. as a slave in 1773. Eventually, he returned to Africa as a free man to fight the slave trade.