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BREATHE EASY: COPD & Me

 

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Full-length film (8 mins. 28 secs.) Vimeo Link
Full-length film with Spanish subtitles (8 mins. 25 secs.) Vimeo Link
Full script for BREATHE EASY pdf or Word doc
Click here to download BREATHE EASY
Spanish webpage for BREATHE EASY

Dorothy's Making of

My older sister, Lois, had always been a spirited person. When she developed emphysema, and she began to need supplemental oxygen, at first, she didn't want to be seen out of the house with her oxygen tank. Gradually, she realized that she wanted to live life as fully as she could with oxygen. I was impressed with her courage and vigor, and decided to bring in a videographer to document some of the activities she does while using oxygen, these include exercise class, supermarket shopping and teaching.

"Although this DVD is ostensibly about (COPD), it's really about aging without apologies or regrets. Addresses the numerous negative attitudes toward age and health issues associated with aging in this country. Recommended."
EDUCATIONAL MEDIA REVIEWS ONLINE

Resources

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute is a United States Government website that provides access to free resources for clinicians, patients, caregivers:
https://tinyurl.com/mr3bs8hp

COPD FOUNDATION Information Line: Fellow COPD patients man this line daily and are available to answer your calls at 1-866-316-COPD (2673).

COPD Forums: Being diagnosed with COPD can cause you to feel frustrated, lonely and hopeless. The Healthline webpage lists forums of contributors from around the world who work together to discuss health and healthcare information about COPD.
https://tinyurl.com/4rp8x9cw

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Facts and Resources: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd

Synopsis

BREATHE EASY is a film about a woman living an active, positive life with the handicap of severe COPD/emphysema. The film documents the fact that she brings her supplemental oxygen tank with her as she teaches, participates in exercise class and goes to the supermarket. Her example, of living an active life with this challenge, becomes an invitation for anyone at any age with any condition to live as fully as possible. Even with a physical problem, a person is still free to choose how to approach life. In the words of psychologist Albert Ellis, "People are disturbed not by what happens to them, but by their view of what happens to them."

Credits

Producers: Dorothy Fadiman, Keith Parish
Videography and Editing: Keith Parish
Additional Editing: Matthew Luotto
Music and Second Camera: Josh Bales

Transcription

Full script for BREATHE EASY
pdf or Word doc

Awards

National Mature Media Award, Merit Award

Past Events

MEETING CHALLENGES
Jan 31, 2016 Mitchell Community Center, Palo Alto, CA
BREATHE EASY, plus The ANNIE GILL STORY, SHATTERING the MYTH of AGING, and MOMENT by MOMENT.
Click here to see the flyer