THE HIGHEST ROAD
The Highest Road is a powerful documentary that follows Kyle Bryant and Sean Baumstark, two men disabled by Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), a rare, progressive, and incurable neuromuscular disease, as they and their team undertake a grueling 200-mile journey by bike. Their goal is to summit Umling La in northern India, the highest paved road in the world, soaring to an oxygen-starved elevation of 19,000 feet. More than a test of physical endurance, the team's ride becomes a symbol of a three decade fight for treatment, dignity, and more time in the face of a devastating diagnosis.
The film features some of the foremost experts in FA, including researchers dedicated to decoding the FA gene and developing viable treatments. We hear from leaders in pharmaceutical development who describe the intricate process of drug discovery and approval, as well as the crushing setbacks when potential treatments fall short. Former FDA director, Janet Woodcock, MD, provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the complexities, regulations, and human toll behind high-stakes decisions that can make or break a community’s chance at life.
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Through stunning landscapes, raw emotion, and scientific insight, The Highest Road reveals the extraordinary strength found in shared purpose, and the belief that no climb is too steep when lives are on the line.​​