Over 100 million Americans live with one or more chronic conditions yet these stories are extremely unrepresented. Fortunately, this is changing and our film wants to help lay out an inclusive narrative by exploring lives defined by low income, LGBTQ views, disability, and religious views.

The film dives into the lives of three individuals in their struggle with severe, chronic illnesses: Sofia, Charis, and Leo.

 

 

Sofia lives at home, but manages to share her experience through a photo-book during a time she contracted illnesses that wouldn’t go away. Since 2008, Sofia was living with Lyme Disease. Her co-infections contracted by the tick bite caused her severe mold illness that resulted in fatigue, dizziness, and fainting episodes. This was a time where doctors had been illiterate of the disease and unfortunately left her without a diagnosis. Both Sofia and her mother were desperate to figure out what she was going through. The illnesses also contributed towards much joint pain, specifically in her heels near the area she was infected. She could not stand for more than 20 minutes at a time. For the first time ever, she had to be pushed in a wheelchair in order to participate in color guard during a marching band event. Finally, a year after high school, she was diagnosed with Lyme. The bad news was that doctors were unsure how to treat it.

 

 

Leo Suan, a husband and father of 3, became a health and fitness advocate with a steady following on his blog consisting of workout forums and muscle building products. He was on a path to redeem his health and start a new career when suddenly, at 39 years old, he was showing signs of what was later to be diagnosed as severe Dystonia. In time, Junie would eventually leave his full time job as his condition worsened in ways such as losing control of his foot, slurring his words, and his back began to hunch. Muscle contractions were also frightening moments for Junie and his wife, Marimi. Both Marimi and Leo's mother, Mae, realized they would need to step in and work together to take care of Junie in addition to their family.

 

 

Charis (middle), 30, spends most of her time in her one bedroom apartment. In the film, she shares what her life was like before Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) and after. Charis was an athletic girl growing up but since the age of 13, different parts of her body were aching and cramping. Over time she had more symptoms, causing her to lead a very difficult life as she attempted to do normal things. As time passed, she would not be able to walk for more than a quarter mile or sit upright for very long as it would aggravate her lower back. This forced her to quit ongoing physical activities such as soccer. Respiratory problems eventually arose that provoked heart attack scares and hospital visits. Days after her 26th birthday in 2013, there was finally an answer to what was happening: she inherited AS, her father’s disease. This was a milestone given that for over a decade, she was living with this progressive disease. As her and her father’s destinies aligned, Charis was forced to accept her new reality. In just a few years time, her father would pass away from the disease in 2016.

 

Lyme Disease eventually took Sofia’s chance at college away as well as opportunities to travel and her ability to take on strenuous physical activities. Overall, it limited Sofia tremendously. She left school to recover in Elk Grove, California. The film follows her daily routine, her relationship with her boyfriend, and attending support groups in her area, she discovered what’s known as a “Death Valley sabbatical” for those who have severe mold illness from their co-infections. Sofia decided she would do so in order to escape mold in the dry climate. After hiking, walking, and living without the fear of mold, she came back home without the reliance of a wheelchair. She has steadily become her own physician, studying causes of Lyme and alternative treatments to help her get closer to the normal, functioning person she used to be. Her goal is to go back to school and get the degree she was working towards.

 

Junie’s Dystonia has now become chronic, leaving Marimi as his full time caretaker and the family’s dominant parental figure for their two daughters and son. Junie’s only choice was to undergo neurosurgery. With his wife, children, and mother by his side, Junie was brave enough to move forward with it. After surgery, hope looked more real than ever. Miraculously, Junie became able to stand up, involuntary movements decreased, and best of all, Junie was laughing, smiling, and crying. Junie’s current goals are to be able to walk, speak better, and build his confidence to go out more. His overall goal is to help others in his situation and learning more about occupational therapy.

 

Since the discovery of her AS, Charis’s biggest obstacle has been finding specific, affordable treatment through her healthcare plan. Instead of losing hope, she has become an incredibly determined individual, advocating awareness during city council meetings and to the public at large. In addition, she has actively guided support groups for AS and is currently teaching others how to advocate for this disease through her blog. Her passion is fully reignited to become a public speaker and well-known patient advocate for AS.

In conclusion, all three individuals are beginning new journeys with newfound goals and experiences. They are became transformed from their diseases, spiritually, physically, and mentally, yet their hearts continue pushing forward.