Health care activist Ady Barkan on his ALS battle: 'Hope is not a state of mind. It's a state of action.'

08/09/21 • 30 min

LA Stories Unfiltered with Giselle Fernandez

In 2016, just after the birth of his son, Ady Barkan was hit with a devastating blow: He was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. As the medical bills began pouring in, Barkan was inspired to take action against what he says is a flawed health care system in the U.S. When his ALS progressed, leaving him paralyzed and unable to speak, Barkan used his ailing body as a weapon in the fight for health care rights, which is chronicled in the new documentary “Not Going Quietly.” Knowing his time is limited, Barkan wants to do everything he can to leave the world in a better place for his kids and has hope that something good will come out of his diagnosis.

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'The stakes are so much higher.' Eva Longoria on how motherhood, her disabled sister inspired advocacy

You may know her best from her glamorous and sassy roles on TV shows such as "Desperate Housewives," but today, Eva Longoria says her baby boy is the leading man she's desperately in love with. It's a love that's re-prioritizing everything the actress, producer and activist does in her busy life, including the roles she takes on in Hollywood. Longoria recently played Dora's mom in the live-action film version of "Dora the Explorer," for example, which is just the kind of dynamic role that projects a positive image for the Hispanic population. Longoria opens up to host Giselle Fernandez about the importance of meditation in her life, her goals of working toward more representation of the Latino population and women in the industry, and how her disabled sister has served as a lifelong inspiration for her.

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'Become a weapon of mass compassion.' Rock legend Carlos Santana on his 50-year career, power of music

Now in his 70s, revered guitarist Carlos Santana is opening up about his decadeslong career and sharing the inspiration behind his band’s recent album “Africa Speaks,” which Santana describes as “mystical medicine to heal a crooked world.” The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee says he believes in the power of music and wants to remind people to find compassion in their lives. In a powerful and poignant moment, Santana opens up to host Giselle Fernandez about being sexually abused at age 10 and explains that it took over 40 years — and the guiding voice of one of his angels — to speak up about the experience in order to reduce his shame, pain and anger. Santana's experiences have made him particularly concerned about the welfare of children, with his Milagro Foundation and Carlos Santana Arts Academy — both in Southern California — serving youth and providing them with arts programs.