Steve Gleason is a former New Orleans Saints football player who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011. Shortly after his diagnosis, his wife became pregnant with their first child. Gleason continued to fight for the privilege to be physically included in his son’s life. By making video diaries, he decides to communicate with his son the only way in which he is certain he can. Eventually, these diaries turn into the building blocks of a touching documentary.

The Gleason documentary is a testament to a man’s will to be there for his family throughout the course of his newfound disability. Chronicling his life from the point of his diagnosis, Gleason takes this opportunity to live his life to the fullest while he still can, starting with a two-month trip to Alaska with his family. He also makes the most out of his illness by founding Team Gleason, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about ALS.

The documentary continues to follow Gleason’s journey as he slowly loses the ability to complete everyday tasks. This causes further dependence on his family but also allows them to come to terms with underlying issues. The camera follows them through the closed doors of trust that lies within Steve and Michel’s marriage, to the depths of Gleason’s close relationship with his father, and to the bond that grows between Gleason and his newborn son.

The Gleason documentary is a sentimental journey in which a man, with the strength and comfort of his wife, changes the lives of those around him in spite of his physical boundaries.