Indestructible
By Raymond P. Roos, MD, FAAN
American Academy of Neurology

The independent film Indestructible (www.indestructiblefilm.com) is a cinematic self-portrait of filmmaker Ben Byer, beginning at the time of his ALS diagnosis. The most compelling part of Ben’s story is his philosophical quest to learn how to live in the face of approaching death. Like most ALS patients, Ben rejects his diagnosis and is frustrated by the inadequacies of the neurology community. He pursues a number of treatments, wanting to believe a neurosurgeon who states that the fetal olfactory nerve cell transplant operation will slow his disease or a palm reader who says he will live to 78. Eventually, he realizes the operation is unsuccessful and the disease is progressing—brought home dramatically as he struggles to pull off a t-shirt and hears his worsening dysarthria.

Ben’s spiritual journey brings him to Oliver Sacks, who advises Ben to “maintain relationships, friendships, and to find something that will give your life meaning,” adding that the great life-affirming forces are work and love. We see the salutary effects of Ben’s relationships: laugh-filled play with his son and calming moments when bathed by his brother. Ben contemplates the mythological figure Sisyphus, who was condemned to push a boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down again. With his brother, Ben climbs Masada, a high isolated rock where in ancient times 960 Jewish zealots took refuge against an army of Romans, choosing to commit mass suicide as “free people” rather than be enslaved. Masada symbolizes the heroic fight for freedom against an unbeatable foe, the courage “not just to live, but to die,” and self determination. This defiance of our inexorable fate is redeeming and brings meaning to existence. Ben’s ultimate defiance of mortality is the making of this movie. I urge you to see it and experience its inspirational message.