Caught this documentary last night on TV. It was set in Eton for a start with loads of 'la-di-da' public school boys type, but the subject Alex was a 16 turning 17 year old music prodigy - who suffers from cystic fibrosis, a genetically inherited disease that is destroying his digestive system and lungs - set out to conduct a performance of Bach's epic choral work Maginificat. The tone of the evening was set so far but it was Alex's sheer life force of his personality that changed all that.
As his condition worsened, which amounted to 20 injections, three physio pummellings and a mountain of 70 pills EVERY day, one would have easily give everything up but instead Alex thrown himself into facing the challenge of taking charge of an enormous choir. The power of positive thinking was illustrated for all to see.
The most extraordinary thing was that, despite his failing body, you ended up feeling envious of this unassuming boy and his great thirst and lust for Life. Living with a terminal disease have made him positively driven, determine to live every minute of his life and live them to the fullest.
The closing credit was rather poignant and thoughtful for all of us - 'However long that turns out to be, one thing is certain - he will have lived.'
As his condition worsened, which amounted to 20 injections, three physio pummellings and a mountain of 70 pills EVERY day, one would have easily give everything up but instead Alex thrown himself into facing the challenge of taking charge of an enormous choir. The power of positive thinking was illustrated for all to see.
The most extraordinary thing was that, despite his failing body, you ended up feeling envious of this unassuming boy and his great thirst and lust for Life. Living with a terminal disease have made him positively driven, determine to live every minute of his life and live them to the fullest.
The closing credit was rather poignant and thoughtful for all of us - 'However long that turns out to be, one thing is certain - he will have lived.'
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