I have spent my career seeing the end stages of ALS patients. Setting them up so they would be comfortable at home. Taking care of them in the hospital. I think ALS and Myasthenia Gravis are 2 of the scariest syndrome/diseases to have. There are a lot more scary ones that don't make it to adulthood. This documentary was raw and gritty. And was not wrapped up in a bow. The fears, insecurities, relationship issues of the spouse as the caregiver etc... I cried. Steve Gleason has given the world a hard look at debilitating neurological diseases. May God bless him and his family. I sincerely believe there is no real lesson in suffering and dying a lingering death. Or in dying young. I believe this family made a difference. With grace and dignity.

An uncompromising and often unglamorous documentary, that is both a tough watch and a truly uplifting one; against all the odds, Gleason is one of the years must see-films and without doubt, one of the year's most moving movie experiences.Documenting the life of ex-NFL line-backer Steve Gleason, as the husband and soon to be father is diagnosed with the life threatening ALS disease, director Clay Tweel with help from producer and King of Kong helmer Seth Gordon have found themselves with unprecedented access to showcase the terrible nature of ALS and access also to the power of the human spirit and the love between family, in particular the bond between a father and his child and a husband and his wife.Surrounded by a plethora of likable and sincere human beings that is headlined by Steve's wife Michel, whose relationship with Steve is the heart and soul of this film, Steve himself is a figure we instantly can connect with.His down to earth nature and balanced views on life making him a fascinating subject matter as well as a haunting example of a human beings existence cruelled by the harsh realities of the cards they have been dealt.Fuelled by his desire to help others, live his life to the fullest, whilst he still is able to and most importantly driven to give his child a part of himself he will soon no longer be able to give by using a series of extensive video diaries that vary from something seemingly simplistic like how to make a camp fire right down to the meaning behind one's life, Gleason shows himself to be a subject worthy of much praise and a subject not afraid to shine a light on a condition that sometimes would be much easier emotionally to pass over entirely.Never once feeling manipulative, Tweel and various others that helped bring this year's in the making project to fruition capture ALS in its warts and all nature. It makes Gleason a raw and real feature, but one that's all the better for it.From Steve's slowly deteriorating physical condition from one time pro-athlete to barely being able to walk, his gradual trouble to talk, right through to loss of bodily functions, Gleason never once shy's away from the horrors Steve and his family and friends faced but it's how the best of human nature comes through within these times of darkness that makes Gleason so special, a reaffirmation for many that the best of the human spirit trumps everything else.Final Say – Gleason will deliver to the viewer various emotional punches that will stay with them long after the credits have rolled.This powerful, uplifting and insightful documentary on a family of real life heroes is one of the most touching films of recent times and one that will have you in not only tears of sadness, but tears also of pure unbridled joy.5 real-life heroes out of 5

Greetings again from the darkness. Heroes come in many shapes and forms. Steve Gleason became a cult hero when he blocked a punt for his New Orleans Saints team in their first home game after Hurricane Katrina. For this, the team erected a life-sized statue outside the Superdome. In his time since that game, he has suffered more than any person should, and he has provided hope and assistance to more unfortunate folks than just about anyone. By now, just about everyone would consider him a hero.Director Clay Tweel takes a very direct approach to telling Steve's story. He guides us through the life of the undersized Washington State linebacker who, against all odds, carved out a 9 year career in the NFL; married a remarkable woman who was his equal as a free-spirit; was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease); learned to live with the debilitating disease; established a foundation to provide assistance to others with ALS.Tweel pulls no punches in showing the progression of the devastating disease, and equally as importantly, in the toll such a disease takes on the loving caregiver after so many years. Gleason retired in 2008, and was diagnosed in 2011. Six weeks later, he and his wife Michel found out she was pregnant with their first child. Staring down the disease and the impending birth of their child, the couple took a 2 month expedition to the Alaska wilderness. This could be interpreted as their way of leaving their "old life" behind, but this couple is so full of life and spirit, that it was in fact, merely a next step.The diagnosis and the baby announcement motivated Gleason to begin filming video blogs/journals for his unborn child. His stated goal was to "share with you who I am", since the odds weren't good that father and son would ever be able to hold a conversation or play catch. Clips of these video entries are shown throughout and capture Gleason's charm, humor, sincerity and spirit of life.Son Rivers arrives in October 2011 just as the disease is creating severe challenges for Steve's physical and verbal capacities. We watch as Michel transitions from free-spirited newlywed to full-time care-giver and first time mother. Her coping methods are on display, as are the effects on her energy and outlook over the next few years.With the help of friends and family, Team Gleason is created as a foundation to provide assistance to ALS sufferers. The foundation finds its newest mission when Medicare announces that vocal/speech technology will no longer be covered for ALS. "No White Flags" becomes the calling card for the foundation, and these activities are blended with Gleason's medical and family hurdles … including his religious father who drags him to a 'faith healer'.Moments with Eddie Vedder and Drew Brees, among others, lead us to the global phenomenon known as "the ice bucket challenge" for ALS and finally the Microsoft Super Bowl commercial featuring Gleason and new speech technology. The film and story are simultaneously gut-wrenching and inspirational, and provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at the emotional and physical impact of disease on both patient and caregiver.

Me and my wife went to a show here in New Orleans. Gleason has been a public figure in the city for some time. Living here during his time as player at the Saints we all knew his name. We where aware of his struggles with ALS and even his outreach. This movie takes you on a deep inside look of the life of his family with no filter and uncut realism. Love knows no bounds and as the movies connects you with the struggles of being human you might take a deep look at yourself. I came away from the theater reflecting on what i had done with my life. Feeling more then a bit of guilt for not doing more with what I have. The films very much a first person blog video, something that you could or would expect to find on Youtube. Its amazing the forethought put into capturing life before it becomes a scrip. As things unfold you become aware of the fragility of life and the greatness. I recommend seeing the film and share with friends. We all have something we can do and sacrifice to make the lives of everyone we know better.