Love & Parkinson's
This is the story of Sidney Blanks, a Texas football legend, NFL running back, Lone Star Conference Hall of Famer, Texas Black Sports Hall of Famer, the hero of Del Rio, told by his granddaughter: me, Riley Blanks.
With the vision of a documentary in the forefront of my mind, I spent two weeks with my grandfather, known to me as 'Big Sid' or 'Sugar Bear'. Big Sid was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in his early fifties and developed dementia shortly after. While together, I took care of him, administering his medicine and helping him with the daily activities of his life. My dad, Lance Blanks, also a former professional athlete and Big Sid's primary caretaker, facilitated a special trip for Big Sid. Our journey from Austin to New Orleans and finally Daytona Beach culminated into something spectacular and far beyond my imagination.
Big Sid rarely knew I was filming him, resulting in authentic moments. Sometimes he’d stare into space, and we would reminisce like old friends about those hot summers in his home town, Del Rio, his favorite lemon trees, taking care of his horses, and playing football. He held my hand as we watched and laughed at Family Feud or grimaced at the gore in the old Westerns he loves so much. He pushed back when it was time to leave the casino, and he held a grudge when I refused him a Coke. Some nights he stayed awake obsessing over the cleanliness of the floor and organization of the shelves. I rubbed his shoulders during his nightmares and explained who I was when he forgot. In spite of the challenging moments together, I felt the weight of his condition, and I knew that so much of what he did and said wasn’t him.
I shot this video on our last morning in New Orleans. I had finished packing the car, checking us out of the hotel and changing him into his favorite outfit. He was sitting in front of the television watching ‘Pearl Harbor’ (again). Exhausted and filled with emotion, I looked at my camera, and I thought about the power of media, his story and my voice. I set up my equipment, pressed play and, well... To learn more about 'Sugar Bear', please contact Riley: rileyblanks@gmail.com.
*NOTE* We are unsure about the exact date my grandfather was diagnosed with Parkinson's. The data provided in this piece is my own personal estimation.
The StoryCorps mobile booth was in Austin in January of 2018, and we’re bringing you some of the stories that were recorded there.
Lance Blanks, who played basketball at the University of Texas before embarking on a career in the NBA, sat down in the StoryCorps mobile booth with his daughter, Riley. Riley sees her father as the caretaker of the family because of the way he looks after her, her sister, and Lance’s own father, Sid Blanks. Known to the family as Big Sid, the elder Blanks was an important figure in Texas college football.
I have always been enamored by my dad’s ability to look after his own...selflessly. Never tired. Never jaded. Never asking for anything in return. He’s sacrificed over and over again in the name of family. His love is unwavering. I’ve watched closely, tear stricken, as he’s carried his dad on his back from cars to restaurants, bathrooms to beds, sand to ocean. I’ve seen my dad tell stories when my grandpa felt scared, feed him his favorite pie, massage his shoulders till he fell asleep. I’ve heard him fight for him, stand for him, cry for him. My dad is the guardian of his dad; an NFL running back, a Lone Star Conference Hall of Famer, a Texas Black Sports Hall of Famer, a football legend; a guy who taught his son to block a jumper who taught his daughter to ace a serve; a big, strong, stubborn teddy bear; a man who has lived with Parkinson’s since my dad was just a kid. My dad’s level of care isn’t normal. I’ve felt it. It could move the whole world. In our interview, I asked him how he does it. His answer was honest, straightforward, humble. Just like him. He said, “It’s my duty, as a person. It’s all I know.”
