February

Maria has been engaged in wide variety of activities and social issues.  She has decided to explore the issue of healthcare system through her personal experience with ALS.  She proposed TV production companies a project to document her journey.  One of them agreed to produce a documentary.  


The camera woman and the director, Inago aka Ms.Grasshopper, follow Maria, filming her everyday life.  


In February, Maria still reports to her office when she is well enough.  She actively attends social meetings and seminars in a wheelchair.


A home helper service is retained to assist her with housekeeping.


Maria has a sister, Kimi, and a close cousin, Kyoko, whom she also calls Sis.
They live in her hometown far outside of Tokyo, where Maria's mother lives.


Maria has a friend she calls MAMA, or matron.  MAMA is not her mother.
Maria also calls her colleague and friend, Naoko, ma.


Her mother, Mom, is in 90s and lives in Maria's hometown with her sister Kimi.


KP is a man Maria has been dating since before the diagnosis.

by J.Ujiie