For Hope

I think I saw only the ending some few years ago on HBO, but I remember being moved to tears. Literally. I hardly cry during movies, but this one was so touching that the floodgates opened. And I don't believe I saw the whole thing. So if you have a chance to see this movie, be sure to catch it. I, for one, would definitely make it a point to see the whole thing if I ever have the chance.

This movie tells the story of a woman who is diagnosed with scleroderma---it is based on a true story.

Scleroderma is a rare disease that effects 300,000 people in the United States. There are many different forms of the disease and this story shows one of the most difficult types, systemic scleroderma.

"For Hope" tries to give an idea of how most people deal with scleroderma. Because it's rare, it's often misdiagnosed and a correct diagnosis can sometimes take a while.

It is 20 years since this movie was made. All of what is in the movie remains relevant. There still is no cure. There still is no answer on how people get it. But...there are some treatment options to delay the disease. Scleroderma is the most horrific autoimmune disease out there. This movie shows much of what the disease can do. It is well cast and well acted. It is well worth watching, but be prepared that you might shed some tears.

The selfish son, the idiot brother, the rude parents...not an easy family to live or die in, but then few are. I've always hated Bob Saget but have to give him credit here for showing it like it really is, warts and all. Dana Delaney is one of my all-time favorite actresses--if you've never seen "China Beach" do yourself a big favor--and the only reason I watched this. I'm glad I did...sad, but glad. What a terrible disease.

This is an average movie based upon the real life events that took the life of Bob Saget's sister, who died as a result of the rare disease scleroderma. I found the movie interesting and informative. It is a tear jerker (especially if you have experienced the death of a family member as a result of a disease). I do not recommend this movie to those who want "entertainment" (as that it not it's purpose).

Just to clear something up, Bob Saget's point of this movie was not for it to be some fictional drama only to entertain it's viewers. His intention was to raise awareness of a very difficult and sad disease, called Scleroderma, that most people haven't even heard of but does effect more that several million people, that claimed the life of his sister. This movie is about her battle with that disease.

I was diagnosed with Scleroderma when I was 20 yrs old. It was a very difficult time in my life and everything changed. I have been living with this disease for 9 years, and it has claimed many of my organs. Now I can no longer have children. I hope people will watch this movie and have compassion for those who struggle with life-changing diseases and donate to it's research. Just maybe a cure could be found before long.