Just returned from the movies...I was in two minds whether or not to go but when we all got back in from riding lessons, the kids were squabbling and I decided I would get dinner sorted and then check my e-mail. If I had a message from a specific person I would go. I did. I went.
Had read such good reviews about "Le Scaphandre Et Le Papillon" - or "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and was not sure how much longer it would be playing. French with sub titles. Long time since I have seen a French film. My French is v v rusty.
Very interesting film....there were only 5 of us in the theatre....I didn't love it at all and at one stage thought about walking out as it was boring me but I knew it was a true story so wanted to see the outcome (sad). Vague plot - Editor of Elle magazine - healthy 40 something guy has a stroke.....no one knows the cause but there is brain damage and he is paralysed. Cannot speak but can breath unaided. He understands everything around him but is literally trapped in his body. They get him to blink for communication and run through a specially ordered alphabet and he blinks at the correct letter and so they put words together and he writes a book.....
In a way it was uplifting but also very sad. Such a terrible situation.
When we did our wills a few years ago I said that if I were to remain alive but unable to breath independantly and hubby were dead I would leave my care to my brother in law who I get on very well with - he is a lawyer in UK. I was telling him all this and my wishes etc and I think he thought I was winding him up at first. As I had just read a book on Terry Shiavo... it was in my mind as to what I would want to happen if I were in a prolonged vegitative state....not a nice thing to have to even think about but I said that if I were able to see my children and be aware of their presence I would want to be kept alive. But having seen this film tonight I can see how that may actually be a lot for them to have as a burden.....It was certainly a film that leaves you food for thought.
