When life throws its worst at you, your life modifications drastically…in all of the unsuitable methods, however you aren’t alone, and there’s hope. That is the overarching message behind Eric Christiansen’s motivational documentary, UnMASKing HOPE.
UnMASKing HOPE tells the story of seven PTSD survivors. Sandra Lee is an actress who was sexually assaulted throughout her navy tour in Iraq. Heidi Bender is a survivor of the tragic Route 91 Harvest Competition mass capturing in Las Vegas. Molly Maurer was additionally on the Route 91 Competition, and if that wasn’t sufficient, a yr later survived a second mass capturing on the Borderline Bar and Grill.
Becky Lazinger, Ken Fairben, and Jack Delaney are all survivors of the 9/11 assaults on the World Commerce Middle. Becky arrived to rejoice her work anniversary and escaped when the planes hit the towers. Ken was a volunteer firefighter alongside along with his son Keith. Keith died in Tower 2, and in his final name to his father, Keith stated he “needed to go and assist individuals.” Jack Delany was an EMT known as to responsibility on the World Commerce Middle. He misplaced two of his workforce members and sustained extreme accidents, together with inhaling poisonous materials because of the particles. Lastly, Lyman Montgomery is a survivor of kid sexual abuse dedicated by a trusted trainer. At the moment he’s a motivational speaker serving to different males who skilled sexual abuse.
As you’ll count on, UnMASKing HOPE walks us by way of the tragic tales of those seven people, however apart from their trauma, what these seven have in frequent is that they had been capable of stand up from their tragedy and discover new life. Because the seven tales are advised, the restoration course of is defined by PTSD skilled Dr. Arieh Shalez, scientific advisor Amit Etkin, grief skilled M. Katherine Shear, M.D., and writer Laurie Margot Ross, Ph.D.
“…apart from their trauma, what these seven have in frequent is that they had been capable of stand up from their tragedy and discover new life.”
The construction of the movie is fairly easy. The individuals’ tales are interwoven, permitting UnMASKing HOPE to stroll us by way of the method. It begins with what occurred and the aftermath of the tragedy. Left alone, all seven suppressed their tragedy and refused to speak about it. They placed on metaphorical masks to indicate their associates, family members, and colleagues that they’re as regular as they are often. Sadly, they not solely stored quiet however bore a substantial amount of guilt, questioning why they survived whereas others perished or guilt from being helpless to cease the tragedy.
Nobody can naked this a lot guilt with out collapsing finally, and for every, they got here to some extent the place they wanted assist. That assist got here in assembly different survivors, usually in help group settings. In these conferences, individuals who have skilled the identical tragedy can “echo their emotions” as if saying, “I do know just a little about what you’re feeling.” From there comes the lengthy therapeutic course of by confronting the occasion and finally discovering the protection to return to life once more.
Look, there’s simply no approach to be essential about UnMASKing HOPE. The movie exists to do good. It took plenty of braveness for the movie’s individuals to share their tales and be open and susceptible to the hundreds of thousands of survivors who really feel misplaced as we speak. It’s additionally the proper useful resource for family and friends who know individuals who have PTSD too. Director Christiansen took nice care in being respectful to the tales and ended up with a movie that not solely had the correct intentions however will finally assist many individuals in the long run. I must also level out that the movie has some stunning and considerate animation by Ed Bell and enhances the story with Christiansen’s B-roll footage.
Should you or anybody you realize has suffered tragedy or PTSD, I don’t know the correct timing, however UnMASKing HOPE is a superb movie and useful resource to carry to their consideration. Eric Christiansen’s movie can act as the 1st step within the course of of claiming that you just don’t need to be silent anymore. You’ll be able to take off your masks and know that others know what you’re going by way of and that there’s mild on the finish of the tunnel.
For extra data, go to the UnMASKing HOPE official web site.
