29. Determined

After losing their mothers to Alzheimer’s disease, three Wisconsin women — determined to find a cure — volunteer their bodies and minds to a groundbreaking study taking place right here at UW Madison. Hailing from Milwaukee, Madison, and Spooner Wisconsin, respectively, Karen, Sigrid, and Barb face strenuous cognitive exams, exercise tests, and neural scans as part of the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP). This clear-eyed documentary secures access not only to the high-stakes inner workings of medical research, but also to the intimate personal lives of the participants and their families. Determined examines, in heartbreaking detail, the toll of Alzheimer’s, particularly on the inner lives of caregivers. It also introduces us to three brave women and a team of doctors who, together, give us hope for a brighter future. On this podcast, we welcome a lively panel of five women who together have spent the past seven years, determined to tell the story of Determined. Producers Therese Barry-Tanner, and Eileen Littig, Director Melissa Godoy, Sound person Shawndra Jones, and one of the stars of the film, Karen McElwee all sat down to talk with Ben Reiser via Zoom for an engaging and informative discussion about the making of this remarkable film.