by Ben Byer

At the end of October, I was walking through Greenwich Village on a beautiful fall day on my way to interview the famous neurologist and best-selling author of Awakenings, Oliver Sacks. Feeling very proud of the fact that we were able to secure an interview for Indestructible with one of the most well-known and respected names in medicine, I thought quietly to myself, “I am a total bad ass.”

In the elevator on the way to his office, surrounded by our filming equipment, Roko, our editor Tim and my long-time friend Torrey, I silently said to myself once again, “Bad ass.”

While setting up for the shot in an office adorned with elements and artifacts from Dr. Sacks’ long and illustrious career as a researcher, I felt the urge to visit the restroom. I stopped in the mirror and looked at myself for a long moment. I took in the changed contours of my somewhat gaunt face, a face that used to be much more round and full. I thought “Yes, I am not lying to myself, I am remarkable.”

Never mind the hours that our editor has put in with me preparing a letter for Oliver Sacks. Never mind the hundreds, if not thousands, of hours my sister Rebeccah has worked on this film. Not to mention Roko and his incredible contribution to this project. Then there are all of my other friends and family who have supported me through this monumental challenge. Add on the support of thousands of individuals who have reached out to our organization. No, this was my moment of glory.

I then stepped over to the toilet. In the words of a good friend, “ALS is a deeply humbling teacher.” In the moment of one of the greatest achievements of my professional life, I found myself struggling to take a leak. After ten minutes, I gave up the difficult task of unbuttoning my pants. I decided to brave the interview in the style of the only real bad ass to ever walk the earth, Steve McQueen, who was fond of doing scenes while holding it in. He said it gave him something to think about.

December 16th, 2005