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Some time ago I watched the movie ‘The Vow’. It got me thinking about the portrayal of brain injury in movies; thinking about what movies have been made about brain injury; and whether we can learn about brain injury in movies that are primarily made to entertain.

‘The Vow’

Well, The Vow might be a bit schmaltzy, and it may gloss over the tough bits of living with a brain injury, but it does look at the impact on family and family relationships, it looks at the impact of memory loss, and it looks at developing strategies that work for the person.

I discovered that the movie is based on the lives of a real couple Krickitt and Kim(called Paige and Leo in the movie) Carpenter, interviewed in the video clip here.

There are moments that make you think about what it would be like. At one point Leo(Kim) (the husband) says “Life’s all about moments of impact and how they changes our lives forever. But what if one day you could no longer remember any of them?”

Have you thought about how it would be, living with memory loss or amnesia? What you would need, what your family and friends would need?

‘Regarding Henry’

It got me thinking about some other movies that portray brain injury –not many that I can remember. One of the first I became aware of was “Regarding Henry”, featuring Harrison Ford released in 1991.

In ‘Regarding Henry’ Harrison Ford plays a lawyer who sustains a significant brain injury. While it is a rather romantic unrealistic view, it does look at the impact of brain injury on life and family. I remember scenes of where his young daughter becomes his teacher and carer, reminding me of the role changes many family members undergo when a family member has a brain injury.

The impact on children is often neglected both within the family as they struggle to live with the impact of brain injury, and by supporters. This is the case whether it is a sibling, or a parent who has a brain injury.

[box type=”note” style=”rounded” border=”full”]ESSAY EXCERPT This essay shows how movies can promote thinking and learning.In this instance a student examines the fact and fiction of brain injury in ‘Regarding Henry’[/box]

’50 First Dates’

’50 First Dates’ is a 2004 romantic comedy movie with Drew Barrymore as Lucy, a young woman who has a brain injury following a car accident. Lucy is portrayed as having significant memory loss, with no other impairments.

This focus on memory loss (whatever may be said about the accuracy and probability of such an outcome), highlights some of the issues and ethical considerations of supporting a person who has memory loss.

While, yet again, this was a “Hollywood” version of brain injury and memory loss, it did show how strategies can be developed by building on the person’s talents, skills and knowledge.

Lucy was an artist so her family enabled her to paint a mural in the house each day.

A video shown as she wakes in the morning, reminds Lucy of her family and what they have done together as a way to ‘reboot’ her memory for the new day.

There is some indication of the intensity of support and monitoring a person with significant memory loss needs. Lucy’s family work hard to ensure she is able to remain at home and in her community, involving friends and community members to ensure her safety. They diligently follow a consistent structure and routine, creating the same day, every day for Lucy.

There will be more about memory loss and strategies in future posts; it is a very common outcome of brain injury.

 ‘Amour’

More recently I watched “Amour” a French film about an older couple whose life changes when Anne, the wife, has a series of strokes and her husband Georges cares for her through her continuing deterioration.

This movie is hard to watch. It almost too vividly portrays the daily life of caring for someone you love, with little support, and watching their deterioration. You are compelled to consider the dilemmas that arise such as What is quality of life, for the person, and for the caregiver? How far do you go to uphold a person’s wishes when it impacts on others?Such as remaining at home or moving to supported care.

‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’

‘The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’ is a movie I have described many times during training sessions. There are many lessons to be gained in this biographical account of Jean-Dominique Bauby who had a stroke, affecting his brain stem, leaving him with what is known as “locked in syndrome”. He is able to blink both eyes initially, then only one, otherwise he is completely paralyzed.

As I recall this movie I think I will one day feature it as a post of its own and talkmore about its impact.In brief it was a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when supporters look at what a person CAN DO. Given all his difficulties and problems his therapists looked beyond them to what he could do – blink one eye. They devised a way of communicating and discovered his desire to use his imagination, and to write a book.

So, while movies are not real life, and may not even be realistic, they can highlight some key points to remember. They can entertain us and teach us at the same time. You will notice over time that I like to learn about brain injury in ways that are engaging, and as simple as possible!

Here are 6 lessons I have gained about brain injury in movies I have talked about:

1. Memory loss is a complex issue, and there are many different forms of memory loss. Understanding a bit about the brain and its functions can help you understand the kind of memory loss a person has, and the kinds of strategies that might help.
2. A person might have memory for some things, but not others, depending on the part of the brain damaged. They might remember how to do familiar tasks, but not what they were asked to do a few minutes before.
3. Family is there for the long haul, they will be there when we go home, they will be there long after we finish. Supporting the family to support the person with brain injury is critical. In ‘Amour’ Georges struggled with workers who were not providing support in the way he wanted Anne cared for.
4. Families are doing the best they can. In Fifty First Dates the dad and brother protect Lucy fiercely and undertake strategies that from the outside may appear odd; painting a room white each night so Lucy can paint a mural the next day. They are doing the best they can.
5. Finding out about a person’s prior knowledge, talents, skills and strengths can assist develop great strategies. Jean-Dominique Bauby wrote a book and lived a full life outside of a hospital because his supporters saw his strengths.
6. See the person first. While lying in his hospital bed many of the treating team talked over Jean-Dominique or talked to him as if he were a child.

Please let me know of any movies you have seen that feature brain injury, or that have had an impact on how you support others.