Thanks to all who sent a pic: The Result...

[BaronC]

youtu.be/SdA1m3ZBrFI(Not working as expected?)

[cat3]

Brilliant ! xx

[BaronC in reply to cat3]

Thanks, E!

A x

[Kirk5w7]

It's good Andy, very powerful xxx

Janet xx

[BaronC in reply to Kirk5w7]

Thank you Janet!

[clarry]

moving gets the message across

[BaronC in reply to clarry]

Thank you very much

[aqua4]

Great Andy. So true. Kx

[BaronC in reply to aqua4]

Thanks!

[angelite]

I was wondering what you had in mind when you asked for photos - you've been busy !

A powerful message beautifully executed. x

[BaronC in reply to angelite]

Thank you so much!

[peaches2]

Wow, that's very touching, so true!!! Really hits a nerve! Well done again mister! Didn't see you asking for photos, well done those who did and sent one! xx

[BaronC in reply to peaches2]

Yeah, I posted a couple of weeks ago asking for pics on here and on Facebook.

Glad you liked it! x

[peaches2 in reply to BaronC]

It's really great! x

[BaronC in reply to peaches2]

You doth flatter me

[Elenor3]

Once again you've found an innovative and powerful way to raise awareness - excellent choice of background music as well.

[BaronC in reply to Elenor3]

Thanks Eleanor!

[marzy31]

Brilliant x

[BaronC in reply to marzy31]

Ta!

[marzy31 in reply to BaronC]

It's a weird sense of being grateful your not alone but sad that your not. Hope that makes sense. Still got a smile on my face and a tear in my eye. I wonder what thoughts it envokes in a none brain injury person.

[BaronC in reply to marzy31]

It makes perfect sense, it really does. I understand 100%

Putting thoughts in none brain injured people's minds is precisely why I'm doing this, I hope it gets through, somehow, some day...

[bonfire]

I am unclear who this is aimed at and what the intention is. My one suggestion is, if it is aimed at raising general awareness of tbi I would change the voice over to one that specifies how people get a brain injury. I switched off at the mention of epilepsy and other medical words and I suspect other people would. Whereaswords like 'road traffic accident' 'hit by a car' 'knocked off their bike' 'run over' 'sports injury' 'illness.' are every day parlance.

I also wonder Andy, what your intention is behind the use of what comes across as (to me) 'angry music,' Who are you wishing to engage? Politicians who have cut benefits? If so is this a political statement rather than a 'woe is me and all these other people life is so unfair and sad and we are all really cross and angry statement?' I think this needs to be clarified as I am confused. As apolitical tool it is very strong and considered.

So Andy, my question is what is the aim of the film?

Is it to elicit CHANGE from ABOVE and in the minds of un-informed employers? If so maybe you could show the qualifications/skills of the people who, albeit injured have survived and can still contribute to society if they would only be given a chance?

[BaronC in reply to bonfire]

You raise many questions, one or two of which you answered yourself. The fact that you switched off at any point is reason enough to continue attempting to raise awareness of brain injury, or any brain related condition. It is fantastic though that you switched off with only 20 seconds of the film remaining, I take comfort in that. However, I can't deny I'm surprised anyone using Headway 'switches off' when brain conditions are mentioned.

As someone who has suffered a brain injury, I think it's a little close minded to simply limit my efforts to that one field. Particularly because as a direct result, I also have epilepsy, suffer with fatigue, chronic headaches and one or two other conditions. I'm not willing to pigeon hole any of them and risk alienating people who have any of those brain related conditions.

As a direct result of the films I've already made, I've been lucky enough to chat online and in person with folk from the UK and many other countries who have a TBI, an ABI, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, encephalitis, well, I wont go on, I don't wish to make you switch off. But in short, why would I want to ignore any of them? Aren't they all in the same, overlarge boat as myself?

Would turning a five minute film into an hour long film, by attempting to explain how each and every one of those folk acquired their conditions really make others more interested? Personally I think people would lose interest a lot quicker. Does knowing I fell down a stairwell in Germany in 1994 when I was 25, that I was in a coma for weeks, woke with a TBI and epilepsy, etc make you more likely to watch. Times that by 100 for the amount of pictures I showed. I thought the numbers, the sexes, the ages, the children made far more of an impact.

As for who it's aimed at, do you know, I have no idea. All of the films, this one included are mainly aimed at spreading awareness and any other reactions provoked are a bonus. Having a semi well known rock singer say yes to my tweet asking him if I could use his track was/is a great first step that took a year to achieve.

Of course, I want employers, those in the media, politicians, etc to cast an eye, but I'm not stupid enough to think that'll ever happen, but if I don't try...

Finally, to conclude. I wanted to sum up quite how invisible we all are to the 'outside world' in this film and you unwittingly proved that I was right by switching off at the conditions in which you weren't interested. The invisible, blank mask proved rather fitting.

[bonfire in reply to BaronC]

Hi Andy, thanks for your reply. I will reply when I am less tired. I am fatigued atm.

Meanwhile this may be of interest to you. Sorry, the link hasn't worked so you will have to copy and paste. This is currently in the papers. Perhaps you have read it?

theguardian.com/uk-news/201...

[RogerCMerriman in reply to bonfire]

Not sure it is partially brain injury newsworthy? yes the woman died from one, but that in of it's self isn't uncommon.

What is the fact that she was killed by a cyclist who did and said unwise, things, sad case for both parties, to be honest.

[RogerCMerriman in reply to BaronC]

I agree very few people will watch, a hour vs 5min video and frankly the reason why someone has a brain injury isn't terribly important, meeting others yes clearly there are differences in range and depth of symptoms but it doesn't appear to be split by what caused it.

I thought it was good, addressing the invisible disability the only down really which is the same with others who have done similar is reach.

By which I mean internet and social media people look for what they want, so becomes self affirming, so even quite large charities/organisations don't have the reach, compared to stuff folks are interested in.