The leading characters in both the movie and the special are people who take what they have for granted and thus act so. Upon being struck by disaster they both decide to not even bother trying to live but they both get unexpectedly helped by another sick person, a child around them who makes them want to give it their best to proof that things will be allright. Starting from their old lifestyles, Onto getting the will to fight and live back.
I find these 2 quite similar, both lead characters are struggling with a worse disease, both have their own way to try to live on, no matter how hard it is. Both are such an eye-opener.