The College of Health and Human Services will host a free screening of the documentary, “When I Walk,” which chronicles filmmaker Jason DaSilva's six-year journey following his multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis.
The film will be shown at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Cone Center, McKnight Auditorium. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion with persons with MS, health care providers, social workers and a national MS organizational representative. Registration is requested.
The panel will focus on overcoming health care barriers and addressing service needs for persons with MS. There will be a review of an innovative free app DaSilva developed in partnership with technology experts to identify real-time physical barriers in several cities.
Local vendors have donated more than 60 items for a drawing for those attendees who complete a short event evaluation form. Representatives from the Greater Carolinas National MS Society are hosting tables with local information and MS community resources.
About the film
In 2006, 25-year-old Jason DaSilva was on vacation at the beach with family when, suddenly, he fell down. He couldn’t get back up. His legs had stopped working; his disease could no longer be ignored. Just a few months earlier, doctors had told him that he had multiple sclerosis, which could lead to loss of vision and muscle control, as well as a myriad of other complications. DaSilva tried exercise to help cope, but the problem only worsened. After his dispiriting fall on the beach, he turned to his mother, who reminded him that, despite his disease, he was still a fortunate kid who had the opportunity to pursue the things he loved most: art and filmmaking. DaSilva picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, self-discovery and love.
This event is funded by a mini-grant from the Chancellor's Diversity Challenge Fund and co-sponsored by GPSG, the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Team Hoover. (CEU digital certificates provided upon request).