For Life
More Stories of Lupus
By Marcia Urbin Raymond
Readymade Productions

Tens of millions of Americans are affected by rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and lupus. Chronic illnesses like these are "for life," but when patients and their loved ones can find ways to cope with their situation, they can give the expression a different meaning. This documentary is about how six people with lupus have gone beyond despair, and truly made a decision for life.

Three years after co-producing the award-winning Stories of Lupus, the filmmaker, who has lupus herself, revisited five of the people she had filmed, to find out what had happened to them, and to explore the day-to-day challenges and gifts that come to people living with a chronic illness as it evolves over time. She wanted to see how they were coping with universal issues including relationship changes, monetary burdens, public misconceptions, and access to medical care. She was also interested in discovering whether and in what ways they were integrating western medicine with alternative or complementary approaches.

Formerly on four-times-daily dialysis, three years later Sharon has received a kidney transplant, and is in a new romantic relationship, singing in a chorus, and using writing, prayer, and Qigong to discover new ways to contribute to society. In 1997, Brian was 26 years old and had just received a kidney transplant. When Marcia visits him again, he is married, with a newborn baby, and has launched a new business. In 1997, Michelle weighed 105 pounds and still had lesions covering her body; people often thought that she had AIDS. Today, she's gained some weight, and is lesion-free, but with only 15% lung capacity, she cannot work and is still on welfare. Her three children have to help their mom dress, shower and cope with her oxygen tanks.

Since the earlier filming, Cindy has undergone a mastectomy due to complications of lupis, and her connection with her husband Walt has been severely strained. Libby, a teenager in 1977, was never well enough to attend school. Her mother, who was her primary caretaker, became critically ill as well, and they both needed a great deal of help from friends. Today, Libby goes to school once or twice a week, and has been able to pursue her passion for filmmaking. Marcia herself has used art, writing and her documentary work to explore the "fearful" elements of living with a chronic illness, and has begun practicing complementary healing practices to cope with symptoms.

53 minutes
© 2002
Purchase $179 VHS
Order No. QA-417
ISBN (VHS) 1-57295-417-5

Reviews
"View this film to understand the impact of chronic disease on the lives of individuals and their families. Despite difficulties ranging from divorce to financial hardship and physical disabilities, the people portrayed have struggled to create for themselves a life of hope and a sense of normalcy within the framework of a chronic illness. Educational Media Reviews Online

"Touches upon several sensitive areas, including sexuality, fears, and sharing experiences with partners. Highly Recommended." Video Librarian

Related Films
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Hepatitis C: A Viral Mystery: Hepatitis C is a viral disease of the liver which affects nearly four million Americans. Although about 10,000 people die each year from diseases associated with Hepatitis C, it is not an automatic death sentence.

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