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Two Short Movies Take Different Approaches to Portraying MS

Two Short Movies Take Different Approaches to Portraying MS

I’ve recently come across two short movies that are designed to show what it’s like living with MS. But they have two very different approaches.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the U.S produced one of the movies. It runs about 3 minutes, features several people who live with our disease, and appears to be designed as a fundraising tool for the society.

The other film was produced by a nonprofit group in the U.K. called Shift.ms. Called “Hidden,” the film runs about 10 minutes and is designed to expose the parts of MS that are out of view for most people in our lives.

What do you think?

For a change, I’m not going to write much more. Rather, here are some questions for you.

Does the first film provide an accurate picture of typical MS patients? Does it, for the sake of fundraising, paint a picture that’s too positive? Would you show it to someone who wants to know what it’s like to live with MS?

Does the second film provide an accurate picture of a typical MS patient? Does it succeed at revealing our unseen symptoms? Would you show it to someone who wants to know what it’s like to live with MS?

Which approach works better for you?

(This post first appeared as my column on the Multiple Sclerosis News Today website).

Reader Comments

  1. While I appreciate the politeness we were represented with in the first video, I am all too familiar with the hidden things portrayed in the second one. Who didn’t feel those stairs before it even showed her struggling up them. As soon as she rounded the corner I felt the familiar dread.
    The first video is how I explain it to people who just found out about me, the second video is familiar because I work to keep those around me from seeing the hard days. First one is PC, but let’s all admit it- the second one is all too familiar.

    1. Thanks for the comments, Tracey. They’re so different that I just had to highlight them. The people who produced the second video have recently produced another. I’ll be looking at it soon and may write about their most recent effort.

      Ed

  2. The first is a good fundraising tool and also lets those who are not that familiar with the disease find out a little of what the disease can cause. The second is fine for those that already have the disease and have experienced some of those symptoms but, considering that it does not even mention MS until about 8 minutes in, a lot of people will not have an idea of what it is about. I also agree that it is just too artsy for me.

  4. My son was diagnosed at 20 with RRMS. He is now 29. The first video may be a good fund-raising tool but the second video by Shift.MS is realistic. It hurt me to watch it. Friends and other family members don’t always understand the devastating effects of MS on a person’s life. I would definitley use the Shift.MS video to educate them.

    1. Deborah,

      Thanks for your comments. Yes, the shift.ms is tough to watch. Though it’s a bit too “artsy” for me, I think it’s presenting a view that’s never presented. Bravo to them for doing that.

      Ed

  5. The second , invisible symptoms, is much more Representative of what my life is with PPMS. “Breakthrough” is just another fundraising like so meany other, “give us money” so we can line the pockets of the medical machine that does not want to find a CURE but just another anything to make money dealing with symptoms.

    1. Hi Keith,

      The first is a “formula” video. I’ve seen dozens like it for MS and other diseases. The second is unique…and useful.

      Ed

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