Leonard Nimoy’s role as Spock in the hit series Star Trek is known globally, but many are unaware of his battle with lung disease and the story he wished to tell before his passing in 2015. Mediaplanet spoke with Nimoy’s son-in-law David Knight, about how his advocacy journey started and why it was important to him and Leonard’s daughter, Julie, to carry on the legacy.
When did Leonard decide to become an advocate for COPD awareness?
David Knight: Although he had suffered for several years with lung problems, he chose not to go public with the information and the change really had to do with an event that took place.
In 2014 when Leonard was returning from vacation, paparazzi took photos of him at the airport with his portable oxygen on and looking unwell. While at the time, this was cause for frustration and embarrassment, along with an invasion of privacy, he also realized it might be an opportunity to do something positive. He appeared on the Piers Morgan Show and formally announced he had COPD and soon became an advocate.
David Knight & Julie Nimoy
Can you share some practical tips for keeping your family healthy during cold and flu season
David Knight: The first key is how serious it is. This is a disease that you must take seriously. We don’t often think much about our breath; breathing is a natural thing, but when there’s something wrong, we pay very close attention. Smoking was the cause of Leonard’s lung disease, so if you smoke, try to give it up. The second point is to talk to your health care professional as soon as possible. The third is working with health professionals to take the necessary steps to manage diagnosis. There are a lot of treatment and respiratory rehabilitation options out there.
What motivated you and Julie to continue Leonard’s advocacy work and to produce the Remembering Leonard Nimoy documentary?
David Knight: We wanted to honour his life. Before Leonard passed away, one of his biggest wishes was that we get the word out about COPD. There’s a lot of stigmas associated with this disease, and the documentary was our way of removing some of that stigma and continuing to honour Leonard’s legacy by creating awareness for lung disease.
Given your perspective, what other information do you feel is important to know about lung disease?
David Knight: We made the documentary not only to celebrate and honour Leonard’s legacy and his accomplishments, but also to put a face behind this disease. It affects millions of people around the world. It clearly deserves more attention, funding, and research.
When diagnosed, we want people to successfully manage, and treat COPD, so that as Leonard would say, they can live long and prosper.
When you have COPD, it’s difficult to stay active. Sometimes it’s difficult to get out of bed. As caregivers, family members, I think it’s important that you continue to encourage and motivate and give hope. You need to be consistent and do everything you can.
From a patient’s perspective, it’s very difficult. At one point, walking 20 feet was challenging for Leonard. To try to encourage him to go to a pulmonary rehab class wasn’t easy. It’s really important to maintain that hope and encouragement.
When diagnosed, we want people to successfully manage, and treat COPD, so that as Leonard would say, they can live long and prosper.
If you or a loved one have COPD symptoms, talk to a health care professional today.
For more information about Remembering Leonard Nimoy please contact us at
[email protected].
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