Live for the Moment
on CBS
By Ally Matteodo
An inspirational testimony to
living life to the fullest, the special Live for the Moment earns the
title Best TV Show of the Week. Airing on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET
January 28th, 2010 and hosted by Survivor regular Jeff Probst,
Live for the Moment introduced us to Roger Childs and his family: wife
Julie, and 9- and 5-year-old sons Connor and Brandon. Three years prior to the
filming of this program, Roger noticed a piercing pain in his arms, and after
visiting the doctor, was informed he suffered from ALS, also known as Lou
Gehrig’s disease. With a prognosis of fewer than five years to live, Roger and
his family at first reacted with shock and sadness. However, Roger Childs'
optimistic spirit carried the day as he staunchly decided to enjoy every moment
left to him, and experience all the things he’d always meant to. Jeff Probst
and the CBS team gave Roger a scrapbook diary, and the first page reveals his
first destination, the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Roger always possessed
a deep fascination with space and astronomy, and it was a dream come true when
Roger and his family met Buzz Aldrin, one of the twelve men who have walked on
the moon. Buzz gave them a tour, and the family witnessed a space shuttle
launch, a truly awe-inspiring sight. Another goal of Roger’s from earlier in
his life included obtaining his pilot’s license, and his next destination was
Chino Hills, where he was brought to an aircraft hangar and prepared for a
flight in a 239 Albatross fighter plane. Afterwards, ace pilot Skipper Hoeft
designated Roger as an honorary aircraft commander. Next, Roger journeyed to
Telluride ski resort, where he reunited with his college roommate John
Wickenhiser, a man he hadn’t seen for twenty years. Together, they took on the
powdery slopes of Telluride, skiing being one of Roger’s favorite activities.
Finally, Roger met with his family in San Diego, and together they greeted all
the important people from Roger’s life, including old neighbors, roommates, and
friends. Roger’s father, Wendell Childs, read Roger a letter from his sister
Linda, informing him that she set up an $80,000 scholarship fund so Brandon and
Connor will not need to worry about paying for a higher education. Touched,
Roger gave a speech encouraging people to seize the day and make every moment
matter.
With a dire prognosis such as
Roger’s, many would sink into the depths of despair. Yet Roger repeatedly
stated during this program that he feels like the luckiest man alive. Life is
made up of what happens to you, yet what might matter more is how you deal with
life’s events. Even before Roger was diagnosed, the underpinnings of his
fearlessness and optimism were present. A San Diego native for most of his
life, Roger moved his family to Colorado to follow his passion for space in a
new career path. Tragically, a couple months later Roger received his
diagnosis; yet Roger chose to view the diagnosis in a different light. Most
people don’t get the opportunity to live as if every delicious moment counts.
We’re convinced we have all the time in the world, and can leisurely put one
foot in front of the other day after day, and eventually something will change.
Yet routine and habit will never change unless you become the agent of your own
destiny, and this is why Roger sets an example to us all. Life is a gift, and
you are the keeper of your present and future. You can either fritter it away,
or treasure it and live every day to the fullest.
Best TV Show
of the Week
The Parents
Television Council -
www.parentstv.org
