In this clip we see Ady, in bed, unable to sleep as he considers the impact that his diagnosis will have on his life, his family and his activism. We can see in his eyes the sadness and fear as he confronts the inevitable reality that is in front of him. While we see this, viewers cannot help but consider how they would respond in the face of such devastating news. One of the things you would want to do is to find out everything you can about ALS, its impact and prognosis.
CLIP 2: Flakes on the Plane
While boarding his flight home after demonstrating in Washington DC, Ady meets Liz Jaff who will go on to be one of his closest partners and co-founder of the Be A Hero Foundation. Liz records an encounter on the flight between Ady and Senator Jeff Flake during which Ady explains the negative impact of the Trump tax cuts on Medicare and other human services and calls on Senator Flake to be a hero. Liz recorded the encounter and it went viral before the flight landed. Ady Barkan was a guest on countless news programs and the subject of many stories in newspapers across the country. This chance encounter changed the course of Ady’s life and the fight for Medicare for All.
CLIP 3: Last Breath
We see Ady meets Bernie Sanders and speaks to an enthusiastic crowd of primarily young people. He indicates that at the end of his life he wants to be proud of what he has done. He states that he is willing to give his last breath to fight for our democracy and asks what they are willing to do. This is a particularly important clip given our current political situation. Students can be asked to write about what they are willing to do, for something they are passionate about.
CLIP 4: Young Couple
In this clip we see a young couple that is expecting their first child; the husband has been diagnosed with ALS. They are thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Ady and discuss many issues that they will have to confront going forward. The young man states that this is the first time, “I ever felt that I was not included in the people our country cares about.” With his privilege of being male, heterosexual and white, of course he always felt that the country cared about him. For many of your students, they never felt that the country cared about them. This is true for people of color, indigenous peoples, members of the LGBTQA+ community and the poor.
CLIP 5: Hope is a Hammer
It is here that we see Ady, on the stage the first time he publicly loses his ability to speak. He begins offering the quote ‘Hope is a Hammer’ but is obviously struggling and unable to continue and complete the thought. We are watching the horror on Ady’s face, but we can also gaze into the eyes of those in the audience and the health professionals on the stage. The discomfort they feel is palpable.
CLIP 6: Bird Dogging
Here we see Tracey Corder leading a training with local activists on Bird Dogging, a technique utilized to get elected officials or candidates on the record with a direct response to a question that is posed to them. The encounter is recorded and then released to the news media and uploaded to multiple social media platforms. You can use this technique as a part of any organizing campaign you are committed to.
CLIP 7: Kavanaugh Hearing
Ady returns to Washington, DC to join protests against the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court because of his opposition to the Affordable Care Act. Then the charges of sexual assault became public. One of the first things we see is Ady recognizing that he has to take a step back and let the spotlight be on the survivors of sexual assault and violence. This is a very important lesson – when it important to create space for others. Unfortunately, many leaders today do not understand this. We then see Ana Maria Archila confront Senator Jeff Flake as he tries to run onto an elevator to cast his vote. This was an incredibly powerful moment. The video was shared widely and should have been #Flakes on the Elevator. Students should consider if there are situations where they would be willing to share their truths and confront those in power?
CLIP 8: Congressional hearing on Medicare for All
Ady returns to Washington to testify at the first ever Congressional hearing on Medicare For All. We watch as Ady responds to Congresswoman Lesko when she states that she does not understand why they are even having the hearing. He then goes on to offer his testimony to members of the Rules Committee, their staffs, the assembled advocates and the public. He ends by offering a message to the American people. How do students react to that message? If they could send a message to the American people, what would it be?
Sources
Authored by:
Dr. Charles Robbins
Charles L. Robbins is a professor in the School of Social Welfare, Affiliated Faculty in the Program in Public Health and Executive Director of the Center for Changing Systems of Power at Stony Brook University in New York. Previously he served as the vice provost for undergraduate education and student success at Stony Brook University. Dr. Robbins received his BS degree from the State University of New York at Cortland; an MSW from Adelphi University; and a DSW from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University.
The focus of Dr. Robbins’s scholarship and work is on social justice, gender equality, masculinities, the LGBTQA+ community, and healthcare disparities. He is a frequent speaker at local, national and international conferences. In addition to North America, he has worked in Africa, Australia, South America, Asia, and Europe. Dr. Robbins consults with universities, not-for-profit organizations, and corporations around gender and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Dr. Robbins is a member of the global board of MCW Global, whose mission is to address communities’ pressing needs by empowering current leaders and readying the leaders of tomorrow. His primary focus has been on working with emerging young leaders. Dr. Robbins has been an official NGO delegate to the United Nations.
