Actor Chris Hemsworth has shared his intention to take a prolonged break from making films, after discovering he has a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.
In an interview with Vanity Fair released this week, Hemsworth detailed the aftermath of discovering on an episode of his new Disney+ docuseries Limitless that his DNA contains two copies of the APOE4 gene. This makes the Avengers actor eight to 10 times more likely to develop the disorder than the average person.
As a result of the discovery, Hemsworth has announced he is taking a break from acting to spend time with his wife Elsa Pataky and their three children, India, aged 10 and twins Sasha and Tristan, 8.
On the docuseries, Hemsworth explores authentic ways humans can live better and longer, by taking on varying physical challenges. Over six episodes, Hemsworth is joined by friends who look into new research and long-held traditions to understand the limits of the human body.
"It really triggered something in me to want to take some time off," Hemsworth said in regard to discovering the news of his predisposition.
“And since we finished the show, I've been completing the things I was already contracted to do. Now when I finish this tour this week, I'm going home and I'm going to have a good chunk of time off and just simplify. Be with the kids, be with my wife.”
Hemsworth also said that he isn’t quitting acting and that this discovery was a blessing for him, encouraging him to focus on his family, be more selective in the projects he does and take a more “curated approach to things”.
“If something's going to pull me away from my family and my kids, it's got to be a positive, constructive, collaborative experience,” he said.
Hemsworth chose to be transparent and candid about his preposition to Alzheimer's. Despite Disney telling him off camera about his predisposition and offering to omit scenes from the docuseries where Hemsworth discusses the diagnosis, the actor chose to keep them in and talk about his journey publicly.
“My concern was I just didn’t want to manipulate it and overdramatise it and make it into some sort of hokey grab at empathy or whatever for entertainment. It’s not like I’ve been handed my resignation,” he said.
Hemsworth has begun to manage the risk of developing the disorder by maintaining his physical and mental health.
Limitless is now available on Disney+.
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Profile of VoucherSkout
Date of launch: November 2016
Founder: David Tobias
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers
Sector: Technology
Size: 18 employees
Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake
Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars”
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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The specs: 2019 Haval H6
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Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
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If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why the Tourist Club?
Originally, The Club (which many people chose to call the “British Club”) was the only place where one could use the beach with changing rooms and a shower, and get refreshments.
In the early 1970s, the Government of Abu Dhabi wanted to give more people a place to get together on the beach, with some facilities for children. The place chosen was where the annual boat race was held, which Sheikh Zayed always attended and which brought crowds of locals and expatriates to the stretch of beach to the left of Le Méridien and the Marina.
It started with a round two-storey building, erected in about two weeks by Orient Contracting for Sheikh Zayed to use at one these races. Soon many facilities were planned and built, and members were invited to join.
Why it was called “Nadi Al Siyahi” is beyond me. But it is likely that one wanted to convey the idea that this was open to all comers. Because there was no danger of encountering alcohol on the premises, unlike at The Club, it was a place in particular for the many Arab expatriate civil servants to join. Initially the fees were very low and membership was offered free to many people, too.
Eventually there was a skating rink, bowling and many other amusements.
Frauke Heard-Bey is a historian and has lived in Abu Dhabi since 1968.
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