Updates Added March 22nd 2012:
Lyme Clip – About the Deer Tick!
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Under Our Skin (previously released for community viewings, now available in US cinemas from 19th June 2009)
A gripping tale of microbes, medicine & money UNDER OUR SKIN investigates the untold story of Lyme disease, an emerging epidemic with staggering consequences. Each year thousands go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, told that their symptoms are “all in their head.” Following the stories of patients and physicians fighting the disease, the film brings into focus a haunting picture not only of our health care system and its inability to cope with a silent and growing terror, but of a medical establishment all too willing to put profits ahead of patients.
Mandy’s update (the girl on the poster): http://underourskin.com/blog/?p=111
Jordan Fisher’s update (park ranger): http://underourskin.com/blog/?p=109
Dana’s update (the girl on tour with U2): http://underourskin.com/blog/?p=107
Dr Jones’ update (children’s Lyme doctor) http://underourskin.com/blog/?p=114
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Lymelife (a film about Lyme, and life!)
Starring Alec Baldwin and Rory Culkin
Lyme disease is a curious ailment to place at the center of a fictional movie. Why not the ol’ standby, terminal cancer? Or at least bulimia or schizophrenia or some condition that carries familiar emotional triggers?
But this tick-borne illness is a perfect symbol to bear out the themes of “Lymelife,” a movie about how small acts have big consequences and how unaddressed doubts bloom into full-blown psychodrama. Lyme disease is insidious (like life) and can have a crippling cumulative effect. Like life. Ta-da.
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20090425%2FLIFE%2F904250315%2F-1%2FENTERTAIN02
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Under the Eigth Ball by Andulsian Dogs
In the summer of 2006 my sister Lori was afflicted with an illness that, ten months later, has yet to be definitively diagnosed. Less than one year ago she had full function of her body, regularly riding bicycles, swimming and gardening with her son Jackson. One day, while helping Jackson onto his bicycle her leg gave way beneath her and she collapsed. Although it felt no different it just wouldn’t respond.
She quickly sought treatment for what she thought was simply a pinched nerve. However, after seeing a specialist she was told that due to the quickly lost muscle function Guilian Barre Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disease, could be the culprit. She was started on a rigorous and extremely expensive course of intravenous immunoglobulin, or IVIG, which boosts antibodies to help the good guys fight the bad guys. But why after a month of treatments, when improvements should be seen in a few weeks, was Lori not getting better but getting worse?
..Finally, after months of testing, poking, scraping, and analyzing, the diagnoses began arriving. They seemed forced and without tangible evidence, some symptoms conflicting with others: Guilian Barre Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Lyme disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, then Lyme disease again, Lou Gehrig’s disease again. Once being told by her neurologist that “Everyone dies”.
http://www.undertheeightball.com/trailer1.html
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UOS wins top award at International Health Film Festival
http://underourskin.com/blog/?p=450
UNDER OUR SKIN was just awarded “Best Feature Film-Silver Award” at the 1st International Health Film Festival in Kos, Greece. The tiny island in the eastern Aegean sea was the home to Hippocrates, father of medicine. Over 80 films competed and were juried by industry professionals as well as physicians. It was another great triumph of recognition within the medical community of a disease too long ignored and a health system riddled with commercial conflicts. I was fortunate to be present to receive the award (a commemorative silver coin of Hippocrates and bust of the Greek goddess of health Hygieia), as my trip was graciously covered by the U.S. Embassy in Athens. The Q&A (at 2AM!) was especially contentious, with a few physicians in the audience asking challenging questions. I was very impressed by the Greeks’ natural and ancestral love of dialog and debate–and ability to genuinely listen to another viewpoint. This made it even more special and validating to be honored in the birthplace of medicine and the Hippocratic Oath, which reminds and challenges us some 2500 years later to do no harm to patients. One pledge stands out in particular as strikingly relevant in the Lyme disease arena:
“I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.”
And yet, Lyme-literate physicians (e.g. Dr. J. Jemsek and Dr. C. Jones) continue to be persecuted for upholding this oath. On the contrary, many physicians do untold harm by denying Lyme patients accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, so often telling them that their problems are “all in their head” or, as in Mandy’s case, “There’s no medicine for someone like you.” May this award serve as another clarion call to return to the essence of medicine, in full humility and for the good of the patient. The film festival jury explained its award choice to UNDER OUR SKIN…
“For advocating at the frontier of medicine. The film provides an activist challenge to the medical profession on ethical review standards, long term treatment and the necessary attentiveness to those who suffer from Lyme disease.”
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Dr. Joe Jemsek (www.jemsekspecialty.com) discusses the controversy surrounding Lyme disease and what action needs to be taken to provide patients with better care.
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UNDER OUR SKIN continues to garner critical acclaim among the Oscar watch pundits.
The film was selected as one of the “Best films of 2009” by the movie awards website InContention.com, which also predicted UNDER OUR SKIN would be among the five nominated documentaries. Our fingers are crossed as we enter the home stretch. Having an “Oscar nominated” label on the film will do more to boost awareness about Lyme disease than 1000 press releases. Keep up the good work. Spread the word.
Acclaim for UNDER OUR SKIN:
“Like a well-made thriller, gets under your skin…More deeply terrifying than any slasher film you’ll ever see.”- Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post
“Fascinating…artful and compelling.”- Frank DiGiacomo, Vanity Fair
“Scary enough to make the faint of heart decide never to venture into the woods.”- Stephen Holden, New York Times
“Frightening, powerful stuff.”- Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
“The most important documentary to come out this year.” – Molly Dedham, Sirius-XM Radio
“Stirs the deepest emotions and reveals the most unsettling truth.”- Justin Berton, San Francisco Chronicle
“Head-spinning…riveting…a rigorously researched and highly thorough piece of investigative reporting.” – Lauren Wissot, Slant Magazine
“Dramatically compelling…a ripping indictment of the medical establishment’s failure to uphold its oath.”- Dann Gire, Chicago Daily Herald
“A powerful film and cautionary tale…as significant an indictment of American medical practices as Michael Moore’s Sicko.”- Curt Schleier, Film Sound Off
“One of the most frightening horror movies I’ve seen. The evil in it springs from deer ticks and human ignorance, both of which seemed to be omnipresent.” – Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer
“Infectiously persuasive…targets both the heart and brain.”- Sarah Sluis, Hollywood Reporter
“Rock solid…paced like a horror story.”- Susan Orlean, The Daily Beast
“Best Films of 2009″- InContention.com
“Enlightening and alarming…Wilson takes us on a journey of discovery.”- Leonard Maltin, Film Critic
http://underourskin.com/blog/?p=593
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Evan’s Gate
Synopsis :: Evans Gate is a film about the struggle that a widowed father (Jimmy Sullivan, played by Edward C. Crawford) endures trying to find a correct diagnosis for his ill child.
After discovering that the mystery illness is chronic Lyme disease, Jimmy encounters yet another challenge: medical insurance policies pertaining to Lyme disease. He sees his son Evan responding to treatment but his insurance will no longer cover traditional medication. Jimmy is driven to measures no father should have to pursue in order to secure the medication his son needs.
This is the true story of one father’s journey to help his son beat this horrible disease and a son’s struggle to get his life back. Evans Gate profoundly asks the following question: how far will a loved one go to help another loved one?
A must see for anyone struggling with a chronic illness!
http://www.lymebook.com/evans-gate
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One Tick Away (available UK & Ireland)
‘One Tick Away’ takes an in-depth and sometimes uncomfortable look at the very real effects of Borreliosis (Lyme disease).
The film covers the basic facts about tick-borne disease in the United Kingdom.
Sufferers, and their loved ones, talk candidly about the impact Borreliosis has had on their lives. With medical and scientific contributions, this documentary gives a significant insight into a hugely misunderstood disease.
Talented filmmaker, and producer of ‘One Tick Away’, João Paulo Simões said:
“This film is the most relevant and important Frontier Media production to date. We are immensely proud to have contributed to the exposure of this hidden disease.”
http://www.bada-uk.org/products/dvd.php
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A Clear & Present Danger
A short clip but covers a lot of useful information on the risks of contracting Lyme Disease:
http://www.lymeproject.com/lyme_disease/videos/lyme_disease_videos11.html
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WCSH6 (Portland, Maine) airs a 4 part series on Chronic Lyme:
Beyond the Bug Part One:
Beyond the Bug Part Two:
Part Three:
http://www.wcsh6.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=111255626001#/Local/Lyme+disease%3A+Angela%27s+story/49383985001/49452227001/111255626001
WMUR9 (New Hampshire) airs a 6 part special on Living with Lyme Disease:
http://www.wmur.com/chronicle/24181311/detail.html
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Faces of Lyme:
A tribute to Lyme sufferers across the world – wonderful clips with 15 mins of music
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Lyme – what is going on?
A short trailer about Lyme in Britiain:
http://lookingatlyme.blogspot.com/2009/12/this-was-original-trailer-produced-by.html?spref=fb
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Dr Yang Lyme Presentation:
This is a brilliant video by Dr Yang – she explains how Lyme is transmitted, how it crosses the blood brain barrier, why chronic Lyme sufferers often test negative & how to increase your chances of a positive result, the different forms of Lyme (spiro, l-form etc) & the different antibiotics needed to target each form. Very good & she explains things in a non technical way too so patient friendly to watch 
http://www.sightsoundmill.com/9%20Dr%20Yang%20Lyme.html
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Excellent radio interview/video with Dr Stepehn Harris – Lyme Disease 101:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHe4LRqyvZE&feature=youtube_gdata_player
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Good clip about preventing Lyme in the UK by the HPA:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13447191
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Hidden in the Leaves
Hidden in the Leaves, directed by award-winning filmmaker Mary Healey Jamiel, is the story of University of Rhode Island entomologist Thomas Mather and his team’s efforts to help people see the risks for serious tick-transmitted disease lurking in an increasing number of rural, suburban and even semi-urban landscapes in the eastern United States.
This 24 minute long documentary exposes the hidden dangers that ticks represent and spotlights strategies to avoid ticks and their diseases.
http://tickencounter.org/multimedia/part_one
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Lyme Disease Prevention Trailer – Faces of Lyme
This is a teaser for an educational film about the basics of Lyme Disease and Lyme prevention. It is produced by Little Shooters Documentary and Film, in association with the University of Minnesota Duluth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hw256BxUkQM&feature=player_embedded
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ILADS conference presentations
http://ilads.org/ilads_media/lyme-disease-videos/
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Lyme Cycle in Canada – an inspirational journey
http://www.youtube.com/user/CycleForLyme#p/u/1/zvy3dzDQlWA
