Free Film Screening to Highlight Emotional and Inspiring Battle with Multiple Sclerosis

Please join the College of Health and Human Services for a free film screening of the documentary “When I Walk”, a look at filmmaker Jason DaSilva’s emotional and inspiring 6-year journey following his multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

The film will be shown on Tuesday, November 5, 2019, at the UNC Charlotte Cone Center, McKnight Auditorium, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion (7:30 pm – 8:00 pm) including persons with MS, health care providers, social workers, and national MS organizational representative.

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The panel will focus on overcoming health care barriers and addressing service needs for persons with MS, and will review an innovative free app DaSilva developed in partnership with technology experts to identify real-time physical barriers in several cities.

Local vendors have donated over 60 items for a drawing for those attendees who complete a short event evaluation form. Representatives from the Greater Carolinas National MS Society are hosting tables with local information and MS community resources.

About the Film

In 2006, 25-year-old Jason DaSilva was on vacation at the beach with family when, suddenly, he fell down. He couldn’t get back up. His legs had stopped working; his disease could no longer be ignored. Just a few months earlier doctors had told him that he had multiple sclerosis, which could lead to loss of vision and muscle control, as well as a myriad of other complications. Jason tried exercise to help cope, but the problem only worsened.

After his dispiriting fall on the beach, he turned to his Mom, who reminded him that, despite his disease, he was still a fortunate kid who had the opportunity to pursue the things he loved most: art and filmmaking. Jason picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, self-discovery, and love. An emotional documentary filled with unexpected moments of humor and joy, WHEN IWALK is a life-affirming film driven by a young man’s determination to survive—and to make sense of a devastating disease through the art of cinema.

This event is generously funded by the Chancellor’s Diversity Mini-Grant Challenge Fund and co-sponsored by GPSG, the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Team Hoover. (CEU digital certificates provided upon request).

UNC Charlotte is committed to having an accessible campus for individuals with disabilities. To request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), individuals should complete a request form at https://accessibility.charlotte.edu/webform/requesting-services-events or email the request to accessibility.charlotte.edu, or contact the Office of Disability Services at 704-687-0040 (tty/v). Requests should be made at least 7 business days prior to the event.