Young German film director Eugen Merher is trying to make his mark in a highly competitive industry. He just hit a grand slam. His spec athletic footwear ad featuring a marathon runner who now lives with dementia in a long-term care facility has gone viral. He sent it to Adidas, but apparently they, like most of the dementia care “industry” (yes, there are exceptions, but not many) didn’t “get” it. Pity.
My original headline for this post was: “26-year-old director captures in 90 seconds what most dementia care professionals/providers haven’t grasped in 40 years,” but then I thought, hmmmmm, be kinder. However, that’s the truth of it. Like my vignettes featuring Alzheimer Annie, this ad depicts the heartbreak, frustration, and despair of being thought less than who you are, denied the things you love and locked in a place from which, in the real world, you will remain until you die with no hope of escape.
I pray one day there will be no more locked units anywhere, and the core concept of this video won’t be a fantasy but a real possibility.
Written and directed by Eugen Merher: http://www.eugen-merher.com
Music by: http://facebook.com/alexwolfdavid
Cinematographer: http://mortimerfilm.de
My Alzheimer's Story 
This is a very powerful video.
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I agree Laurie. Normally I wouldn’t publish two posts so close together, but I saw this last night and just HAD TO post it immediately. It communicates in 90 seconds what I’ve been trying to get across for three years in hundreds of blog posts. I hope one day the idea will be a real possibility instead of a just a heartwarming fantasy ❤
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Oh- That just made me cry!!! That is SO SO SO very touching…and so true–to find that bit of spark of the person that ‘was’ —oh my! Thank you, Susan, for sharing this. xo Diana
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This is awe inspiring! I am sitting here in tears. What this young man has captured is just beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing this Susan!
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Thanks Connie – I was so glad to have found it, and I’m pleased to have shared it too ❤
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Thank you, Susan. Some may think the video is an exaggerated portrayal of existence within the walls of dementia care. But those of us who’ve been around a while know it’s unfortunately the sad reality for many. I’m cheering him on!
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Me too Ann. I’ve seen the faces of the people portrayed in the video – the ones in uniform and the ones who are not. It’s captured perfectly.
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