How did my daughter Ruth Anne and I find our way to watching "Tipping the Pain Scale" at the Boston movie premier at the Boston Public Library on Monday evening? The journey began several years ago when a series of misdiagnoses and a broken behavioral health system resulted in 14 psychiatric hospitalizations including a suicide attempt in two years with intermittent periods of homelessness when it wasn't safe to have her live with my husband and me. Thanks to another documentary that a friend of mine scored, "My Kid is Not Crazy" I was able to figure out that my daughter was experiencing symptoms of PANS/PANDAS, an autoimmune condition that results in brain inflammation. The brain inflammation caused a traumatic brain injury but fortunately once the proper diagnosis was made, she began her journey back to life. The urinary tract infection was treated and I worked with her treatment team to get her on a regimen of medication to reduce inflammation and ease the psychiatric symptoms. I advocated for a referral for Occupational Therapy at Spaulding Rehab Hospital where she attended weekly sessions for two years to relearn basic skills of living.
Her first step back to the community was through volunteering at Victory Programs and their ReVision Urban Farm who have been opening doors to hope, health and housing since 1975. To regain her physical, emotional and spiritual health she started running again and last May crossed the finish line of the Providence Half Marathon raising $8000 for Victory Programs. On her 35th birthday this year, she saw how great the need is to raise more money and awareness for Victory Programs who are on the front lines of addressing the opioid, substance use disorder and mental health crisis actively involved at helping with individuals who were at Mass and Cass (one of the areas featured in the film). She set the goal to run three half marathons in October, March and May with a fundraising goal of $10,000.
We've been following the stories about the work being done in addressing the opioid and substance use epidemic and "Tipping the Pain Scale" kept popping up in our social media feeds. We watched the trailer that gave us goosebumps. We were excited when we saw that the movie would have its premier at the Boston Public Library.
Award Winning Director Jeff Reilly, Producer Greg Williams and Executive Producer Tim Grant have woven together a tapestry of stories that will open your mind and your heart to see the opioid, substance use and mental health epidemic through the lens of compassion, community, connection and caring. The documentary takes us on the journeys of those in recovery and those passionate about making a difference in the 'system' to save lives through legislation. The cinematography is exquisite with each frame carefully chosen to reflect the film's messages of dignity, hope, and compassion.
Did you ever wonder if one person can make a difference when a problem seems so pervasive and overwhelming? Just wait until you see the work of Roz Pichardo, Community Outreach Volunteer in Northeast Philadelphia and Boston Police Officer Josh De La Rosa gaining the trust of those struggling with substance use disorder. Roz calls the people she meets Sunshine and works to reverse overdoses, brings snacks, hydration and clean needles. Many might bristle at the thought of harm reduction as enabling, but as Jeff Reilly said in an interview on WBUR talking about "Tipping the Pain Scale", "You meet the person where they are at, but you don't leave them there." Police Officer Josh De La Rosa gains trust by cutting hair. He learned how to cut hair because he thought he might need a way to support himself while serving time in jail given his struggles as a youth coming from a family of drug dealers. His compassion and connection with individuals struggling with homelessness and substance use goes beyond the badge and uniform he wears, yet he uses his role as a police officer to effect change in the lives of individuals one person at a time. Although Mario Chaparro is not a featured story, his recovery journey led him to becoming the Program Director at the Boston Public Health Commission's Engagement Center. He introduced the individuals at the Engagement Center to Josh by scheduling times for them to get haircuts. The Engagement Center provides a safe place for homeless individuals to go during the day. Talk about an innovative and creative approach to intervention.
"Tipping the Pain Scale" reminds everyone about the importance of every individual having dignity and the opportunity to heal and recover regardless of the diagnosis. As you can see in the trailer, former United States Surgeon General, Jerome M. Adams said in a testimony before Congress, "Stigma and judgment is keeping people with the disease of addiction from getting treatment and in my opinion, are killing more people than overdoses." Washington State Representative Lauren Davis transforms the pain she experienced watching her dear friend Ricky almost die due to substance use disorder and mental health challenges into advocacy that led to "Ricky's Law" which allows doctors to section an individual to a psychiatric unit for substance use in the state of Washington.
Spoken Word Artist and Educator Joseph Green in long term recovery transformed his life through poetry. He now transforms the lives of others. Just wait until you see him working with students to nourish their souls and hearts as well as their minds.
I shed many tears and experienced goosebumps revisiting the journey of Marty Walsh, former Boston Mayor, now Secretary of Labor who is the first person in recovery to serve in the Cabinet. My dad was a brilliant lawyer. During my teen age years, I pleaded with our family doctor to do something to help as I witnessed his physical and emotional deterioration, and violent behaviors escalate from alcohol abuse. I was told "Unless he realizes he has a problem and asks for help, there's nothing we can do." My mother was addicted to prescription pain medication so it was up to me to try to take charge of the situation. My father ended his life on 8/1/1971 when I was 17 years old. How wonderful to see Secretary Walsh's powerful story of hope and recovery.
NFL Pro Bowl Player Darren Waller openly shares his journey on the road to recovery and how he almost lost his brilliant career as a tight end. One of my favorite moments in the movie involves a Raider's fan in recovery. I promised myself I would limit any spoiler alerts!
The powerful messages of hope, redemption, possibilities, compassion and kindness stunningly portrayed in "Tipping the Pain Scale" is going to tip the scale in ending the opioid, substance use disorder and mental health crisis epidemic in this country.
As we were leaving the screening, Ruth Anne told me how moved she was by Brendan Little sharing how he once thought that his past was a stain on his record as he looked for work but then he realized it was an asset. As Ruth Anne set out on exploring job opportunities, she harbored a sense of shame about what happened to her especially given the diagnoses in her medical record. After seeing "Tipping the Pain Scale" she can own her strength, resilience and courage in having overcome her challenges and how she is using it now do good for others! She is fired up and excited for her fundraising campaign for Victory Programs. We experienced empowerment, healing, a lot of beautiful tears and new connections to a community of like-hearted individuals as we do our part to tip the scales of ending the epidemic.
For more information about Tipping the Pain Scale Scale, visit the website by following this link.
You can donate to Ruth Anne's Another Year of Victory fundraiser by following this link.
From my heart to yours,
In health and wellness,
Mary
Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma
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