‘Choosing a Wheelchair’ is a new film from the producer of the award-winning ‘Spinal Injury Patient Film’ (www.spinalinjury.tv).
Correct wheelchair provision can dramatically improve a disabled person’s function, and quality of life. But not everyone gets the assistance they need. This film has been made to help Britain’s 1.2 million wheelchair users.
The producer has taken a broad and holistic approach. The 53 minute film includes best-practice in assessment, issues such as pressure relief and posture management, plus broader mobility needs, such as wheelchair accessible vehicles, and all-terrain chairs.
The film was produced by Royal-premiered film director Marcus Dillistone. His production manager broke her back seven years ago, since then Marcus has made several philanthropic productions to benefit those with long-term disabilities. Marcus commented:
“Film has an important role to play in ‘healthcare knowledge transfer’, and is, in my view, an underused medium. A well-researched film can present a consensus of expert opinion in a highly effective and palatable way. And, thanks to the internet, such films can be available around the clock, and free at the point of need to whomever needs the information.”
Associate Producer and content co-ordinator Alina Palimaru is carrying out research in public policy and healthcare economics at UCLA in Los Angeles. The benefits of proper wheelchair provision to society as a whole forms part of her work.
The film’s core content was provided by volunteer experts: Pauline Pope MSc BA MCSP (Consultant & Research Physiotherapist); Lone Rose MPhil MCSP SRP (Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital); Phil Swann B Eng MMedSci MIPEM (Clinical Scientist and Seating and Mobility Expert); and Dr Anba Soopramanien MD PhD FRCP (Consultant in Spinal Injuries & Rehabilitation Medicine).
The film opens ‘In The Beginning’ with a brief history of the wheelchair, leading into ‘Today’s Chairs’ where the bewildering array of modern wheelchair types highlights the need for targeted expert advice.
After the main title comes wheelchair assessment, emphasising the importance of proper seating provision and support, and including techniques such as pressure mapping. This is complemented by a series of case studies featuring chair users with very different needs and personal ‘journeys’. They include International wheelchair racer, Simon Lawson; disability access expert David Burdus; Katie, a profoundly disabled teenager from Wirral seeking an accessible vehicle; Spina bifida sufferer Karen, who gets to go off-road for the first time, and scouser Gordon, who – after 25 years – gets to drive independently for the first time – his first solo trip at the wheel is to seek-out a sausage butty at his favourite café!
This independent not-for-profit film is a Glory Film Co. Charitable Initiative. Production costs have been part funded by sponsorship. Sponsors had no say over the film’s final editorial content.
The Title Sponsor is law firm Withy King, specialists in personal injury and clinical negligence.
The four Main Sponsors are Lewis Reed (WAV) Ltd. (wheelchair accessible vehicle manufacturers); Fiorella Wheelchair Systems (wheelchair lift manufacturer); Unwin Safety Systems (wheelchair tie-down and occupant safety solutions), and Contour886 (custom seating and mobility experts).
There were also three Industry sponsors: South West Seating, Sunrise Medical, and Terrainhopper.
In addition to commercial support, funds were donated by SSIT (Southern Spinal Injuries Trust), to support filming and DVD provision in Salisbury and the South West region of England.
The film’s Music was donated Moby and Nikko Patrelakis.
Anyone interested in the film should email: info@glory.co.uk