My first exposure to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that became very popular on social media. People were challenged to pour a bucket of ice water over their head to simulate what it feels like to have ALS or they had to donate an amount of money. The victims then get to challenge three more people. I recall being challenged by a friend and experiencing a bucket of ice water rushing through my body and causing it to numb.
After experiencing what it feels like to have ALS for a short moment, I was inspired to write this research project. This paper will examine the accuracy of the representation of the disease ALS in the movie The Theory of Everything, directed by James Marsh. Typical symptoms and diagnosis of ALS will be examined.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects neurons in the body that is responsible for controlling voluntary muscles (Adis International Limited). ALS affects both the upper and lower motor neurons in the body. The upper motor neuron, found in the
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During Hawking’s time in the hospital, he exhibits difficult in putting on cloth clips using his various finger and he also exhibits weakness in his ability to push using his legs. It is further evident in the scene when Hawking is having dinner with his friends; he displays vigorous shaking of his hands when he attempts to pick up a glass to take a sip of champagne. Comparing Hawking’s symptom in the movie to a case study done by Gail Houseman and Mary Kelley on a man with ALS in his fifties (216). In the case study, during the man’s initial diagnosis of ALS, he exhibited weakness of his left arm, unclear speech, and difficulty in swallowing (Houseman & Kelley 1). The symptoms exhibited by the man was very similar to Hawking’s symptoms presented in the movie, thus providing support for the accuracy of the