Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a disorder that involves death of neurons – leading to extreme loss of muscle control and severe pain. It affects each individual differently; sadly, statistics show that up to 90-95% of cases have never been able to determine the root cause – the remaining 5-10% is linked to family genetics/history. Adding to the devastation; we have no cure/remedy to ALS as of right now. You can learn more about ALS symptoms here.
We in United States dedicate the month of May to raise awareness and to raise funds to research a cure for this horrendous condition – we are sure you’ve heard of the infamous ALS Ice Bucket Challenge from last year. While we can sympathize with those suffering from this ailment, we can never truly know the emotional and physical battle one suffering from ALS goes through.
We would like to share the incredible story of the one Patrick O’Brien. Patrick is a devoted filmmaker; he attended the School of Visual Arts. He produced the 1996 Student Academy Award Winning film, Waiting in the Wings and had a “successful commercial career on TV and the web, creating unique stories for Spike TV, AOL, IBM, MTV, MICROSOFT and WARP RECORDS with his own brand of darkly humorous and sometimes controversial films and animations” (Patrick O’Brien Foundation Website).
On May 24, 2005, Patrick was diagnosed with ALS; this is where his journey to create his next masterpiece began to take shape. He decided that he wanted to document his life.
“I have chosen to do something with my illness. Over the course of 2006 and 2007 I will document my journey with ALS on 35mm motion picture film. This challenge has given me a focal point to channel my energies, and will hopefully inspire others to keep moving through their own adversities. At this point in my life my intention is to be at peace with myself, and to pursue my life’s work of making a feature film about something which reaches for the truth. All of my adult life, I have been making films – films about unconventional characters, stories about vulnerable souls. Now, in the last years of my life, the film I am making, the character I tried so hard to write all these years, the story which eluded me on paper, is unfolding across my body, inside my nervous system, and in front of my eyes. I have become the character in the film which I have been striving to bring to the screen all these years.” – Patrick O’Brien
Entitled Transfatty Lives, Patrick released his film earlier this year and showcased it in the legendary Tribeca Film Festival. The film received immediate praise from the attendees and even won the Audience Awards; a win that brings him a deserving $25k.
Patrick truly embodies what it means to be perseverant, dedicated, mentally strong and patient, and of course inspiring; we are truly humbled to learn of a beautiful personality as his. We are hoping that this film will receive the widespread attention it deserves; if any movie deserves to be played in your local theatre, it is this one! Check out the trailer below and keep an eye on your local listing for a potential public viewing. Like their facebook page to stay updated on all things TransFatty Lives.
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