Abstract:
This creative project centers on how various people battle invisible illnesses. Invisible
illness is a term that refers to an illness, whether psychological or biological, that is not evident
to others. This includes well-known illnesses such as cystic fibrosis and fibromyalgia, as well as
countless lesser-known illnesses. This project’s goal is to raise awareness of invisible illnesses
by creating a video segment. While the concept of this venture is a 60-minute documentary
highlighting several individuals with invisible illnesses, this project will result in a short
segment, spotlighting one specific individual, Rachel, who has three rare and chronic illnesses.
She suffers from Autonomic Instability, Dysmotility Syndrome, and Superior Mesenteric Artery
Syndrome (SMAS). Dysmotility syndrome and SMAS are the most disruptive, as they both cause
distress to a person’s ability to digest foods, thus requiring intravenous nutrition. The short
segment will follow Rachel’s current battle with her invisible illnesses. It will contain interviews
with Rachel, as well as her doctors, family and friends, in an effort to communicate the effects of
invisible illnesses to those who may be unaware.
