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Matter of Mind: My ALS
Three people with ALS confront complex choices in this intimate exploration.
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Matter of Mind: My ALS is the first of a series of three documentaries, each focusing on a different neurodegenerative disease. This film follows three people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neuromuscular disease with an average survival time of 2-5 years from diagnosis. As ALS progresses, the brain loses the ability to control muscles, resulting in the inability to move, speak, eat, and ultimately breathe.
In Durham, North Carolina, renowned African-American architect Phil Freelon is dealt the diagnosis of ALS on the eve of completing his architectural masterpiece, The National Museum of African American History and Culture. As he progresses towards paralysis and loss of speech, he and his family grapple with the illness’ erosion of control, and the question of what it is to live and die with dignity.
In the rural California town of Arvin, former mechanic Charlie Wren is living on a life support ventilator, completely paralyzed except for his eyes. He is cared for by his wife Angelina Flores Wren, who left her job as a medical assistant to become his 24/7 caregiver. Their story highlights the efforts the two must make to live with this illness without a financial safety net.
In Nutley, New Jersey, Michele Stellato is diagnosed with ALS at the age of 32 and becomes the second person in the world to receive a new experimental treatment at Columbia University. A communications director, she feels a calling to bring her talents to raise awareness and advocate for ALS—fighting for a future in which people can live with, rather than die from this disease. From the nexus of these three stories comes an intimate exploration of the complex choices that people face and the different paths they choose as they live with this progressively debilitating illness.
ABOUT INDEPENDENT LENS
INDEPENDENT LENS is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series. With founding executive producer Lois Vossen, the series has been honored with 10 Academy Award nominations and features documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers. Presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. Stream anytime on the PBS App. For
more visit pbs.org/independentlens.
ABOUT ITVS
Independent Television Services (ITVS) is the largest co-producer of independent documentaries in the United States. For more than 30 years, the San Francisco nonprofit has funded and partnered with documentary filmmakers to produce and distribute untold stories. ITVS incubates and coproduces these award-winning titles and premieres them on our Emmy Award-winning PBS series, INDEPENDENT LENS. ITVS titles appear on PBS, WORLD, NETA, and can be streamed on various digital platforms including the PBS App. ITVS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Wyncote Foundation. For more information, visit itvs.org.
MATTER OF MIND: MY ALS is a co-production of Kairos Cinema LLC and ITVS, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), in association with PBS. This program was produced by Kairos Cinema LLC which is solely responsible for its content. © 2025 Kairos Cinema LLC. All rights reserved.
I was diagnosed last July. I was wheelchair-bound. My feet hurt horribly on the foot pedals. I started the ALS/MND program about 4 months ago. I’m now able to walk down the street and back; at least I couldn’t do that prior to the ALS treatment. It didn’t make the ALS go away, but it did give me a better quality of life. I got the treatment from Limitless healthcenter. c o m
Thanks
My Partner had ALS, first symptom was weakness in his fingers, one day, we had a dream life with early retirement and then, when we went to find out about the weakness, our whole world almost changed. There are so many things that can be said about the suffering and frustration of people with ALS and neither the riluzole nor the medical staff did much to aid him. His hands and legs gave way to weakness in his arms. We tried different supplements for him like high doze B12 that didn’t work, so last July, we tried the ALS/MND protocol—the best decision ever! His symptoms eased, his strength returned, and he sleep soundly for 8 hours. my husband says he feels like a new man, he also can walk and exercise again. We got the ALS Protocol from Limitless naturalwellness. co m. Don’t give up hope.