Friday, April 12, 2013

PBS stations to air "Going Blind" documentary

From Best Movies Ever:

Many people don’t want to think about the possibility of going blind, but image if you were an aware winning director and journalist who learns that they are going blind? 

Peabody Award winning journalist Joe Lovett has this happen to him, and rather than give up, he did what he does best. He made a documentary (Going Blind) about his journey to better understand what was happening to himself along with drawing inspiration from others in his travels.

‘Going Blind’ not only wound up helping Lovett’s journey slow down the course of his disease through medication and surgeries, it’s helped countless others learn how to deal with suffering vision issues and realize that it doesn’t have to be the end of the world. To see when it’s playing in your area you can check out the PBS Going Blind Broadcast link.

Below are some of the stories he followed in the making of this powerful documentary that’s been under the radar but is a must see for anyone with or without vision. It’s also a great push to remind people to get their eyes checked yearly just to be safe. We take our vision for granted, but after watching this film, you won’t. And it’s not a downer either, it’s very inspirational as the sub-title Coming Out Of the Dark About Vision Loss states.

Steve Baskis - Roadside bomb attack
Texas native Steve Baskis was 22 and Private First Class in the Army when a roadside bomb north of Baghdad hit his vehicle. In addition to injuries all over his body, Steve suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TMI) when shrapnel from the bomb caused nerve damage to his eyes, leaving him blind. Going Blind documents Steve’s transition from recovery to his new life at his own apartment, designed by himself for independent living as a blind person.
Ray Kornman- Retinitis Pigmentosa
At age 29 while at a routine doctor’s visit to renew his contact lens prescription, Ray Kornman discovered he had retinitis pigmentosa, an incurable eye disease that would leave him blind by the age of 40. In Going Blind, Ray discloses his initial feelings of hopelessness and vulnerability before learning of the various services available for the blind. Now, secure in his condition and content with his life, Ray’s mission is to spread the message about the power of guide dogs.
Emmet Teran – Strabismus
Emmet is an eleven year old [when filmed] with low vision from albinism, a condition he inherited from his father. Emmet works with a comedy troupe after school in Manhattan, and uses humor to dismiss some of the hurts a child encounters from his peers.
Peter D’Elia- Age-related Macular Degeneration
Peter is a New Jersey architect, and has lost vision in his left eye to maculardegeneration. His career was in jeopardy when he noticed that he could not see out of his right eye. His passion for architecture gives him the drive to continue working, and the advent of new medication for wet macular degeneration restored his sight.
Patricia Williams- Glaucoma and Traumatic Injury
Pat is a legally blind woman still struggling with her place in the sighted world, as well as in the visually impaired community. She works as a program support assistant at the VA center in New York City. The enlarged type on her computer screen has helped her flourish in her job. While at times she needs some help getting around, Pat is a fiercely independent woman who does not let her disability define her.