Do you believe their father's illness affects Sarah and Arlo's life choices? Do you think either harbors regrets? Are there any relationships that have set your life on a specific path?

Sarah and Arlo cope differently with their father's decline. Do you believe his illness affects their choices and life trajectories, and if so, in what ways? Do you think either character harbors regrets about their relationship with their father? Are there any relationships that have set your life on a specific path?

Absolutely Spence's illness impacted decisions for Sarah and Arlo. I don't know how any family member would escape being affected, even when like Arlo, they are more removed from the circumstances. And yes, I think both have regrets as well as resentments perhaps in Arlo's case, and that Spence was taken away before Arlo could have obtained some resolution. Spence's Alzheimer's is perhaps the greatest abandonment inflicted on Arlo since it is one that never ends.

I don’t think Spence’s illness impacted Arlo’s decisions - he had already dropped out of college, made a decision to work in the tech field, and he certainly didn’t visit his father any more frequently once he found out he had Alzheimer’s. And the same for Sarah - she had decided years before to go to medical school. Arlo probably regretted that his father never knew he accomplished so much in the tech field, but maybe Spence wouldn’t have acknowledged that as success.

Yes, Spence's illness impacted everyone. Sarah became a doctor and worked to send money home to help her mother. Arlo gave money and got his father into a trial program. I'm sure that Arlo had regrets; that he never got to live with and know his father really; two years was not enough. There could never be a true family reunion, since they were satellites orbiting Spence.

I think Spence’s illness impacted everyone. Sarah makes a comment about her wishing her rotation or her class would get to the section about the brain. The idea being what she needed to know now to help Spence. Arlo so wanted to be the savior for his father and family by getting Spence into the trial program. As Sheilaa says Sarah worked to send money home to help Pru care for Spence. I think everyone has regrets. I’m sure Arlo regrets all the years he missed living in a “ normal “ family, all the memories he could have made with his father, all the missed opportunities. Sarah may regret going to medical school so far from home so she was unable to spend much time with Spence or help Pru with his care. I have had several relationships that have helped shape my journey. Favorite teachers, coaches, my mother, and my husband.

Sarah and Arlo made their life choices before Spence's illness was even known, so I don't think that it affected the choices that they made. They each regretted, however, that they could not help to the extent they wished that they could, at the time it was all evolving. It did distract Sarah and she had trouble dealing with accepting and discussing it with her friends at school. Arlo's relationship issues with Spence appeared to be so deep but he was able to use the fruits of his labor to help in the long run. Arlo likely regrets not ever having been able to crack the outer shell into Spence's world, or solving the puzzle of lack of acceptance between them. Sarah perhaps regrets not having had a closer relationship with Arlo over the years. There are many relationships that have helped me progress thus far in this life - some smooth and happy, some rocky, but all with a forward propelling effect.