Healthcare

Intimate Documentary Portrays Family's Struggles with Alzheimer's

SDPB Radio | By Karl Gehrke

Published September 4, 2014 at 5:26 PM CDT

Alzheimer’s is a disease that robs people of their memories, language, judgment, and personalities. It’s an incurable form of dementia that is most often diagnosed in patients over the age of 65. The Genius of Marian is an intimate, heartbreaking portrait of one woman losing herself to Alzheimer’s and the toll it takes on her family. The documentary airs on SDPB1 Television Monday, September 8 at 9 pm (CT)/8 pm (MT).

Pam White was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s a year after she began writing a biography of her late mother, New England painter Marian Williams Steele, who had died of Alzheimer’s in 2001. The story of Pam White and her struggle with Alzheimer’s is told by her son, San Francisco filmmaker Banker White, who returned to his family’s home in Massachusetts in 2009 after her mother was diagnosed with the disease. Banker White joined Dakota Midday to discuss the film.

In connection with the Monday broadcast of The Genius of Marian, Banker White is launching an interactive story sharing website about caregiving and Alzheimer's. For more information, click here.

Tags

Karl Gehrke

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.

See stories by Karl Gehrke