The death of Oliver Saks...

[MichaelWinicki]

Did not see this one reported here...

The guy wasn't a sports figure or a movie star or a performer, but he was skilled and certainly contributed a great deal to society... and for that he should be remembered.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Sacks

The book and movie "Awakenings" is terrific. The subject of the book/movie, the (brief) recovery of folks that suffered with Encephalitis lethargica, is both fascinating and sad.

The disease came on the heels of the great flu epidemic of 1918 and while the origination of the disease is unknown, it's believed that the flu epidemic contributed to it somehow... perhaps by weakening the immune system.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encephalitis_lethargica

Anyway it's a disease that leaves the person in a "sleepy state" for in many cases dating form the late 19-teens to the early 20's for the rest of their lives.

And while there has never been another outbreak, the disease still shows up in isolated cases.

Anyway Saks work with different drugs and trying to help those folks was admirable.

I will say, the book is far darker and sad than the movie.

 

[Eskimo]

When I was in medical school reading his books provoked a keen interest in me about how the brain truly works. It also played a major role in my decision to ultimately pursue a career in a neurological based field of medicine.

 

[kimrose]

Thank you, Michael, for letting us know. I had not heard or read anything about this, either.

Dr. Saks was a very interesting man, and although he had his critics (you know they all do), he was an incredibly intelligent, insightful, and entertaining man who really did dedicate his life to trying to help others. Amazing, the abusive school he had to live at to escape the **** attacks in England, then he grows up to become the man he did. He had some years of fun in young adulthood, but then decided one day to put it all behind him and focus on his career and his patients. He didn't really have a personal life for 35 adult years! 35 years of being alone, "completely". Astounding human feat, right there. He has gained many accolades from peers and colleagues, won awards, and has a sizable authored collection of books on his accounts in neurological medicine. What a wonderful man.

Awakenings is one of my son's favorite movies, he was deeply moved by it, was inspired to read everything on the internet he could find about Dr. Saks, and he is gonna be really saddened to hear this news. And right on the heels of Robin Williams' one year anniversary, too. Kinda strange. RIP Dr. Saks.