I just watched a wonderful movie: Awakenings starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. Based on a true story, Williams plays Dr. Sayer. Dr. Sayer has just found himself a new job in a ward full of comatose patients. The patients apparently were all apart of an encephalitis epidemic decades prior and have been catatonic since. With a little research, Dr. Sayer (Williams) finds a possible cure and it works; however, only for the summer. The movie concentrates on the awakening of Leonard Lowe (De Niro) and his reactions to his new world. This movie made me boo hooo. Of course any good drama will do it for me.A little background on the encephalitis epidemic. Apparently the movie is referencing the condition encephalitis lethargica (EL) or von Economo disease which is an atypical form of encephalitis, which is basically acute inflammation of the brain. EL swept the world by storm in the 1920s leaving many in a statue-like condition, speechless, and motionless. The one good thing about this disease is that there has been no recurrence of the epidemic since the 1920s, although there have been some isolated reports. Ok... enough background. If you get a chance... check out the movie!!
Oh yeah... it snowed today. It's gone already but we are supposed to get some more on Tuesday. Here's a little music to go along with the weather.
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