SPARK: Robin Williams and his Battle with Lewy Body Dementia

“You’re only given a little spark of madness—you mustn’t lose it.” – Robin Williams

Gold Coast Arts is proud to partner with Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center and The Bristal to present a special free screening of SPARK, an intimate portrait of Robin Williams and his battle with Lewy Body Dementia. This special viewing is a 45-minute educational adaptation of the documentary Robin’s Wish, produced by Lewy Body Disease Association in partnership with Acadia Pharmaceuticals. Spark tells the story of Robin and Susan’s agonizing journey of trying to get a diagnosis and cope with symptoms that created significant anguish, fear, grief, and confusion.

This important 45-minute documentary highlights key messages that can enhance learning and understanding of LBD, improve diagnosis and detection, and offer LBD families a way to feel connected to resources and support. The film will be followed by a panel discussion with distinguished experts in the field who will discuss the film and LBD. There will be opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Spark is presented in partnership with ADRC, The Bristal Assisted Living, Northwell Health and the Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center.

This film event at The Bristal is FULL. Please email caroline@goldcoastarts.org to be added to the waiting list.

Panelists:

Barbara Vogel is a licensed social worker who has been working in dementia care for the past 20 years.  Currently, Barbara is a Social Worker for the Northwell Health System Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine outpatient service, and also provides dementia specific services for patients and caregivers in the outpatient geriatric psychiatry service at Zucker Hillside Hospital.  Barbara is an integral part of the interdisciplinary team in both medicine and psychiatry, and her professional passion has been providing support, both emotional and practical, for patients and/or their caregivers and families.  Barbara facilitates weekly support groups for both spouses and adult children of persons with dementia.  Barbara is an advocate and works at raising awareness about dementia, and has presented at numerous conferences and workshops.  Barbara has co-authored the article:  “Supporting Community Caregiving for a Spouse with Dementia:  Research with Implications for Practice” which was published in the July/August 2011 edition of HOME Healthcare Nurse.  Barbara is also the co-editor of “I Do:  Memoirs of Marriage” which is compilation of stories of couples who have successfully navigated 50 + years of marriage.  Barbara currently serves on the board for the Long Island Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and the Nassau County Elder Abuse Enhanced Multidisciplinary Team.

Angela Scicutella MD PhD FAAN
Dr. Scicutella is a neuropsychiatrist. She has utilized her training to develop a neuropsychiatry experience for geriatric fellows, residents and medical students at several New York hospitals.  Her current patient population in her private practice includes individuals with all forms of dementia, Parkinson’s disease, TBI, and epilepsy. In an independent clinic, she also treat geriatric patients with developmental disabilities who also suffer from these neurologic illnesses.

Lauren Vlachos, MS, CFRE – Lauren has been serving as the Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center since June 1, 2022. Upon joining the organization, a new resource center in East Islip was opened as well as a return to all in-person programming such as Art, Music, and Equine Therapy. In addition, there are 17 monthly support groups happening throughout Long Island both in-person and via zoom as well as professional training and community outreach programs. Prior to joining ADRC, Lauren served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Suffolk County Boy Scouts and spent over 18 years as a professional Scouter. Lauren earned a BA from Gettysburg College in Political Science and an MS from The New School in Nonprofit Management. Lauren is also a Returned United States Peace Corps Volunteer and spent 2.5 years living in West Africa and working in healthcare.

Norma Loeb – Founder and Executive Director, Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center
Norma’s knowledge and experience with Lewy body dementia began with the personal care of her mother, Lillian, who had LBD for many years. Lil is the inspiration behind the founding of LBDRC. Norma has been facilitating the only New York Metro area LBD caregivers support groups since 2008.  She also leads a national group for people living with LBD which has been lauded.  She served on the board of directors of the Lewy Body Dementia Association for three years before launching the LBD Resource Center to provide much needed support and resources on more personal and connective levels. Norma worked as executive assistant to the CFO at The New York Times Company for over 20 years. While there, she served as chairperson of the work/life committee of The Times’ women’s affinity group and initiated and ran their eldercare support group. Her expertise working with the top executives at The Times, as well as her managerial experience as executive director and a co-founder of the nonprofit organization, What BETTER Looks Like, has prepared her to direct this large project which is very dear to her heart.

Moderator: Caroline Sorokoff, Festival Director, Gold Coast International Film Festival

Trailer: