ONE LITRE OF TEARS


Have been watching the Japanese drama series "One Litre of Tears" on YouTube for the past 2 days, and hence the lack of blog entries of late. This drama, "One Litre of Tears", is based on a real lifestory of a Japanese teenager, Kito Aya, who is stricken with Spinocerebellar Degeneration Disease (SCD), which is also known as Spinocerebellar Ataxia.

Now, here's a little of biology lessons and background information. Nerve cells are mainly separated into 2 different group - Peripheral nerves, and Central nerves. The term "peripheral nerves" refers mainly to nerves which branch out from our spinal cord and communicate with our muscles, bringing about motor movements. Meanwhile, central nerves are nerves which make up important organs and parts in our nervous system such as the cerebellum, cerebrum, brain stem, diencaphalon, and spinal cord - of which, cerebellum is mainly responsible for maintaining balance and movement coordination.

SCD is a cruel, autosomal recessive genetic disorder disease which attacks the cerebellum, causing it to atrophy and eventually, disappear into nothingness. The usual early symptoms include instability in walking, frequent falling, blurred visions, poor muscular coordination, slight impairment of motor movements, inability to measure distances (e.g. grabbing the air besides, and instead of, a bottle) etc. Gradually, the body will feel increasingly unlike one's own. Sufferers lose command of their own body, and are unable to control their voluntary muscle movement. From a walking cane, to a wheelchair, and eventually, become bedridden. As the disease progresses, the sufferer faces linguistic challenges, loses the ability to talk, experiences difficulties in swallowing,and eventually, might never gain consciousness while sleeping. All these while - despite not being able to move one's body - the mental intellectual is not a tad affected or debilitated; but very much alert and alive.

Currently, there is no cure for SCD.


"One Litre of Tears", is based on the diary of Kito Aya, a bubbly teenager who was 15-years-old when the disease strike her. She wrote and wrote, until she could no longer hold up a pen; and died at the tender age of 25. And the diary epics clearly the simple wish and innocent desire of a young soul who yearns so much to live. Aya desperately wanted to live her life till the end, and the purpose of writing is to remind her not to give up. She shed tears of sadness many times, but yet, on a happier note, her family and friends all rallied around her, encompassing her with their rich, unconditional love and support.

Aya's diary was published as a book after her death; mainly because of the inspiring, genuine, and courageous message behind it - "Just being alive is such a lovely and wonderful thing" she wrote. The brave 10-years battle against a cruel disease fought by a vivacious little 15-years-old teenager has raptured hearts, and tugged the heartstings of many.



It actually reminds me alot of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Notable personals who suffered from it includes theoretical physicist Stephan Hawking, China's Mao Ze Dong, and Morrie Schwartz (from the book Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom).

Just like SCD, ALS attacks the central nerves, causing it to degenerate; resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. The muscles, in another words, are wasted. And not unlike SCD, ALD sufferers lose their command of voluntary muscle movement, but yet still retain their mental capacity. And both diseases, currently, are incurable.


Sad, really. It's so touching to "witness" brave young souls battling the storms, and refusing to bow down. Just like a candle in the wind, fighting against the odds.


Anyway, I've watched up to Episode 4 only. It's taking quite some time to upload the drama from YouTube. Semester 2 is starting on the 8th. Gosh, I want to complete the whole drama series before I get thrown into school work!!!
I! WANT! TO! FINISH! THE! ENTIRE! DRAMA!
Chiong ahhh!!!


And anyway, there a loads and loads of comments in YouTube, of people gushing about how touching and sad the drama is, and how they had cried while watching the 1st episode. (!!!) Oh my gosh, I'm already at the 4th episode but I've yet to shed even a single tear. What is this, man??



So, I've resorted to putting my status as "Away" or "Busy" in MSN. The only times when I put my status as thus are when I'm doing some important stuffs, such as rushing a laboratory report, researching on the internet etc.
"Away" simply means that I'm doing my stuffs, and would prefer not to be disturbed. On a side note, I won't mind chit-chatting once in a while when I'm in "Away" mode. Hohoho!
"Busy" also means that I'm doing my stuffs, would prefer not to be disturbed, but also that I'm rushing for time as the deadline is due pretty soon. It's times like these when I won't like to see orange-blinking icons on my TaskBar.

So, don't ka-jiao when you see me on "Away" or "Busy" mode these few days. It simply means - that instead of rushing some stupid laboratory report - I'm watching "One Litre of Tears" on YouTube. Don't ka-jiao and spoil the atmosphere and mar my mood and interrupt the momentum.
I'm trying to squeeze out a drop of tear. At least one drop.