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I am Rina, married to Gary Solomon who suffers from ME/CFS and is the current President of Phoenix Rising. Due to the fact that Gary is a patient of Dr. Lucinda Bateman, we were given
the opportunity of being invited to a private screening of the documentary film, “Unrest”, (formally known as Canary in a Cole Mine ), at this years Sundance Film Festival. The guests included patients, families, caregivers and doctors. In attendance were Jennifer Brea, actor, director and producer of the documentary, Dr. Lucinda Bateman of The Bateman Horne Center, Dr. Ron Davis from Stanford University and Drs Alan and Kathleen Light from the University of Utah.
“Unrest” is a heart wrenching and sad account of what it is like to suffer from ME/CFS, and not be understood or recognized by the medical community. Jennifer Brea does an excellent job of bringing to light, not only her story, but those of others, like her, suffering from the same affliction. A disease that robs patients of their lives leaving them alone and trapped in a useless body, wondering whether there will ever be a hope of returning to a “normal” life, one that others take for granted.
I definitely believe that Jennifer did a great job at turning the spotlight on this misunderstood disease. Her movie revealed an accurate account of the illness and the struggles facing patients and caregivers in a world that does not seem not to care. Moving forward we need to get this documentary seen by as many people as possible with a huge emphasis on the medical community at large.
Following the screening of the movie, was a brief question and answer period involving representatives from the film and experts on the disease. This was very uplifting as the experts revealed that they are on the cusp of a big breakthrough. When questioned as to the time frame of this discovery, Dr. Davies stated that they will have something by the end of this year. Currently, those experts from the University of Utah will be teaming up with those at Stanford sharing data and information. With the best minds working together, I am convinced that there is huge hope for all of us.