PROJECT SYNOPSIS

[Guest guest]

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

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Priority Seating is a series of educational and inspiring documentary

programming devoted to raising awareness about autoimmune disease as a

women's health crisis. While programming about specific autoimmune diseases

does exist, autoimmunity in general has not yet been extensively examined in

the media. Without this focus certain trends have not been publicly

identified -- specifically the prevalence of autoimmunity in women. This is

the first project to address these larger implications.

The series will follow a travel format, with each episode taking place in a

different city in America. This journalistic approach will chronicle the

process of coming to recognize the significance of autoimmune disease as a

global women's issue. The first episode is being shot in New York City.

Autoimmune diseases are conditions whereby the immune system attacks the

host. This phenomenon is the underlying factor in 80 identified illnesses

and is now the fifth leading cause of death among women. Some examples of

autoimmune diseases are: Lupus, Grave's Disease, Crohn's Disease and

Multiple Sclerosis. According to recent studies, 80% of autoimmune patients

are female. The majority of these women become ill when they are young

(teens through thirties) and it is assumed that they are in the best of

health.

Since women suffering from an autoimmune disease often don't look sick, it

is very difficult to elicit public concern. In addition, national

institutions are not yet meeting the needs of autoimmune patients. Under the

current managed and specialized health care system it takes 5-6 years on

average for a woman to be properly diagnosed. This problem is perpetuated by

stereotypes about women that often lead doctors to prematurely conclude that

the symptoms are psychosomatic. Some women do not live long enough to get

the proper diagnosis.

Even when a pattern of autoimmunity has been identified, treatment options

are limited and symptoms tend to be chronic and debilitating. Many women

find themselves unable to work. However, elusiveness has left many female

sufferers without government assistance or adequate health insurance.

As the personal stories unfold, Priority Seating will uncover the social and

political trends that are responsible for denying female sufferers of

autoimmune disease the right to adequate visibility and care. The narrative

will examine medical standards, insurance and disability policies, as well

as broader issues pertaining to social invisibility. In so doing, the needs

of women with autoimmune disease will become clear and a collective voice

will be formed. As a woman with an autoimmune disease myself, my role as the

producer of the project will be to guide the narrative through my own path

of discovery and to demonstrate that despite immense obstacles, women with

autoimmune disease exhibit incredible strength and courage.

Distribution plans include cable and public television networks and film

festivals. Selected episodes will also be submitted to national public

health schools, foundations and hospitals.