This documentary, so remarkable. So glad you are reposting.
I want to add that you, Kimberly, are a lifeline, as I have traveled through grief that brought such despair so powerful with the death of my son that I thought I would never write again. That has changed with your help--even though, other than on a Zoom meeting and an interview, I've not met you in person.
Oh my heart! Mary, I’m moved to tears reading this. It’s impossible to not read you, see you, celebrate you. I’ve been hypnotized by your stories since day one, so layered, deeply psychological, whimsical. I learn about life every time I read your words. And when I learned about the death of your son, and you shared the extraordinary piece you wrote in the aftermath, I knew our hearts were inextricably linked. My smile widens as I think about you sharing this piece in a few weeks, the profound wisdom of your life raft, and how important your revelation will be to all who read it. ❤️
Oh Kimberly, well done. Once again each brave wonderful human, leaves me speechless and in awe. I can pick a thought from each person, gather it together in the most beautiful bouquet, live, love, forgive, hope and learn from it.
One word came to mind, conduit;
“…to channel energy to allow movement and change.” In Latin, a conduit means;“…to bring together. Being a reliable conduit is one way to help others…”
And in the realm of the ‘Unfixed’ a word that defines just another facet of you.
I marvel in your insight Lor. A bouquet is such a wonderful way to describe the gathering of everyone’s unique perspective. It’s what I’ve endeavored to do with this series and others, never as much blending as a gathering where each unique beauty is highlighted individually but even more beautiful as a whole. Perhaps I should call my style of filmmaking Bouquet Docs.:)
And then you land another whopper with “conduit!” I always thought of this word as a transport or messenger, but never knew it also meant “gathering.” But of course! Even the pipes under our home are gathering water, gathering currents, gathering forces together so they can move from one place to another. I love that I now have this visual of the humans in the Unfixed work, gathering their wisdom together to be shared with beautiful souls like you.
One of my favorite episodes yet. So powerful - having that source of hope, a lifeline, north star, whatever you want to call it (GG, that's what I call my higher power in recovery.) These faces and voices have become like dear friends, seeing them in multiple videos now. 🥲🩷
Thanks so much for your love here Troy. I love how you’ve let these voices into your heart, a testament to your empathic spirit. Sharing with them all over two years changed me forever and so it’s wonderful to hear how they’ve impacted you as well. ❤️
It’s so strange! Everyone keeps saying they’ve seen this one already so I checked my archive and I can’t find it anywhere! It must have a similar theme as another, same cast of course, but because there are 20 episodes in total, it’s probably confusing. Regardless, thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate your kind, insightful presence here Gail.:)
How odd! I had that impression before I read the other comments, and when I did, I assumed it was a repeat. But truly, we are all better for it if, in fact, we saw it twice. :)
It’s funny isn’t it, that we for some reason think that “spiritual” needs to be light, positive, uplifting. But the truth of the sacredness of life is so much more messy, and the weight and heaviness of life is part of the alchemy of becoming.
Powerful Kimberly. I shared this also in our CSF leak forum (9200 people) which I hope was okay. Tears streamed down my cheeks listening to all these brave souls. Thank you
Ohmygoodness yes!!! Thank you for sharing with your group!!!! That’s what these are for, and I’m deeply grateful to anyone helping others hear these voices, perhaps hearing their own a bit better because of them. 🙏
I've watched this film before, and I watched it again now. It is so very inspiring! I also have multiple health issues, all seemingly unrelated to each other. I found the most powerful moment for me was when I began practicing radical acceptance. I quit feeling guilty for needing a nap, or something for pain, or when I put off a project or need some alone time. Gratitude is huge, and I heard it in these stories. Thank you Kimberly!
I’m right there with you Linda. Allowing these symptoms to be part of our unique expression is so transformative…and a relief! Finally relaxing into ourselves, as we are, is profound medicine. Thank you for taking time to be with these stories and share a bit of your own with us. 💛
Late to the party here, but this reminds me so much of how... scary as it is, surrendering to the darkness of seizures is what makes way for their extraordinary light.
It's like seeing every star's lifetime all at once.
This was really beautiful 🥹 I'm constantly blown away and in awe by the absolute resilience and strength of the human soul and spirit, to continue to show up and be so resilient through such adversity. To continue to show such compassion and love to yourself even when you feel you are at your absolute lowest is truly brave. Since my diagnosis I've learnt it's essential to surround yourself with community, especially with people that just get what it's like and understand. It's provided me with such support, love, acceptance and Inspiration and this video was exactly what I needed right now as a gentle reminder of all those things so thank you 💕 x
Oh I'm so glad Amanda! And boy can I relate. This need for solidarity and community is exactly why I started the doc-series project Unfixed in 2019. After years of isolation I was desperate to learn from others living with chronic illness or rare disease. Little did I know, I'd fall in love with every single subject of that series over the period of 2.5 years. Like you said, I was "blown away and in awe" over and over again by the resilience and brightness of the human spirit. So many think these "chronic illness conversations" must be a real bummer but I've actually found them to be the opposite. Sure, there is suffering, disappointment and pain, and I never omit that part of the experience, but the heavy stuff lives right alongside deep, unconditional joy and strength, and that always leaves me feeling incredibly uplifted with a renewed faith in humanity. x
This is such a moving documentary! Thank you for creating it and giving voice to the many different perspectives on not only coping but finding a new connection to live in the midst of illness. Thank you as well for the kind mention! It’s a pleasure to meet you.
It's a pleasure to meet you Keisha! I'm glad you're now on my radar and I look forward to reading all you have to offer here. It's such a powerful, gracious community. Thank you for taking the time to watch this episode!
This is incredibly powerful, Kimberly. The bravery and dignity of all the speakers will edge me closer to those people in my life who are also facing physical and mental challenges with courage, so I can support them better. Thank you for the work you do.
Jeffery, how can I thank you enough? My greatest hope is that this entire series not only gives voice to those needing to be heard, but to all their loved ones. It's too easy to judge, turn away, or simply misunderstand, and it takes a quietness of mind and gentleness of spirit that you so generously demonstrate to penetrate the message and then take it back into your relationships and the world. You're such a dear human.
As so many note, this is just endlessly inspiring and moving to watch and listen to each of these amazing individuals speak of their purpose and lifeline.
Dylan, Elizabeth, everyone, you're remarkable. (As are you, Kimberly, for sharing these videos and making them happen.)
"My lifeline is having a purpose. It is like having a north star." 🧡
Tethering ourselves to that North Star of purpose is so essential, in good times and bad. I did a podcast with Dylan a few weeks ago and the host asked him some yes and no questions at the top of the show that he could answer easily with eye-movements. One of her questions was “Has ALS changed your purpose in life?” And he definitively said “no.” In his book he wrote he’s “always been on the highway to Buddhahood and ALS only accelerated and magnified this purpose.” I love his unwavering conviction, to not even let the complete deterioration of the body derail.
This documentary, so remarkable. So glad you are reposting.
I want to add that you, Kimberly, are a lifeline, as I have traveled through grief that brought such despair so powerful with the death of my son that I thought I would never write again. That has changed with your help--even though, other than on a Zoom meeting and an interview, I've not met you in person.
Oh my heart! Mary, I’m moved to tears reading this. It’s impossible to not read you, see you, celebrate you. I’ve been hypnotized by your stories since day one, so layered, deeply psychological, whimsical. I learn about life every time I read your words. And when I learned about the death of your son, and you shared the extraordinary piece you wrote in the aftermath, I knew our hearts were inextricably linked. My smile widens as I think about you sharing this piece in a few weeks, the profound wisdom of your life raft, and how important your revelation will be to all who read it. ❤️
Oh Kimberly, well done. Once again each brave wonderful human, leaves me speechless and in awe. I can pick a thought from each person, gather it together in the most beautiful bouquet, live, love, forgive, hope and learn from it.
One word came to mind, conduit;
“…to channel energy to allow movement and change.” In Latin, a conduit means;“…to bring together. Being a reliable conduit is one way to help others…”
And in the realm of the ‘Unfixed’ a word that defines just another facet of you.
I marvel in your insight Lor. A bouquet is such a wonderful way to describe the gathering of everyone’s unique perspective. It’s what I’ve endeavored to do with this series and others, never as much blending as a gathering where each unique beauty is highlighted individually but even more beautiful as a whole. Perhaps I should call my style of filmmaking Bouquet Docs.:)
And then you land another whopper with “conduit!” I always thought of this word as a transport or messenger, but never knew it also meant “gathering.” But of course! Even the pipes under our home are gathering water, gathering currents, gathering forces together so they can move from one place to another. I love that I now have this visual of the humans in the Unfixed work, gathering their wisdom together to be shared with beautiful souls like you.
One of my favorite episodes yet. So powerful - having that source of hope, a lifeline, north star, whatever you want to call it (GG, that's what I call my higher power in recovery.) These faces and voices have become like dear friends, seeing them in multiple videos now. 🥲🩷
GG… Good God? Great Granny?
Thanks so much for your love here Troy. I love how you’ve let these voices into your heart, a testament to your empathic spirit. Sharing with them all over two years changed me forever and so it’s wonderful to hear how they’ve impacted you as well. ❤️
The embedded quote — “The moment that is most powerful is the point of surrender.” — is incredible.
Another inspiring episode.
I wholly agree Michael. Thank you for being here friend.
Like others, I appreciated watching this again. Thank you Kim...you are indeed a light in the darkness!
It’s so strange! Everyone keeps saying they’ve seen this one already so I checked my archive and I can’t find it anywhere! It must have a similar theme as another, same cast of course, but because there are 20 episodes in total, it’s probably confusing. Regardless, thank you for watching and commenting. I appreciate your kind, insightful presence here Gail.:)
How odd! I had that impression before I read the other comments, and when I did, I assumed it was a repeat. But truly, we are all better for it if, in fact, we saw it twice. :)
What a beautiful video. I loved hearing that voicing the things that weigh us down is a spiritual act. I think that's true.
It’s funny isn’t it, that we for some reason think that “spiritual” needs to be light, positive, uplifting. But the truth of the sacredness of life is so much more messy, and the weight and heaviness of life is part of the alchemy of becoming.
True…I think it’s both, like Chloe said in her piece today.
I can’t wait to read it. I always wait to savor Chloe until I have no one around me, no distractions, just pure Chloe.
It’s a great one!
Powerful Kimberly. I shared this also in our CSF leak forum (9200 people) which I hope was okay. Tears streamed down my cheeks listening to all these brave souls. Thank you
Ohmygoodness yes!!! Thank you for sharing with your group!!!! That’s what these are for, and I’m deeply grateful to anyone helping others hear these voices, perhaps hearing their own a bit better because of them. 🙏
Thank you for the work you are doing Kimberly. I am certain that your interviews about what lifelines folks have will go on to help many ❤️
Thank you for posting again. These people are so inspiring and are wonderful reminders to be grateful, motivated, give back, and love.
It’s so funny, I hadn’t remembered that I already posted this! You all are so generous with my forgetfulness.:)
It wasn’t a coincidence. People needed to re-view or newbies needed to see it.
I've watched this film before, and I watched it again now. It is so very inspiring! I also have multiple health issues, all seemingly unrelated to each other. I found the most powerful moment for me was when I began practicing radical acceptance. I quit feeling guilty for needing a nap, or something for pain, or when I put off a project or need some alone time. Gratitude is huge, and I heard it in these stories. Thank you Kimberly!
I’m right there with you Linda. Allowing these symptoms to be part of our unique expression is so transformative…and a relief! Finally relaxing into ourselves, as we are, is profound medicine. Thank you for taking time to be with these stories and share a bit of your own with us. 💛
Late to the party here, but this reminds me so much of how... scary as it is, surrendering to the darkness of seizures is what makes way for their extraordinary light.
It's like seeing every star's lifetime all at once.
Good golly that’s beautiful Alisa.
Thanks for all these recommendations! Only a few i was aware of🙏 and thanks for including me in such a great selection✨
You're welcome Amber!
This was really beautiful 🥹 I'm constantly blown away and in awe by the absolute resilience and strength of the human soul and spirit, to continue to show up and be so resilient through such adversity. To continue to show such compassion and love to yourself even when you feel you are at your absolute lowest is truly brave. Since my diagnosis I've learnt it's essential to surround yourself with community, especially with people that just get what it's like and understand. It's provided me with such support, love, acceptance and Inspiration and this video was exactly what I needed right now as a gentle reminder of all those things so thank you 💕 x
Oh I'm so glad Amanda! And boy can I relate. This need for solidarity and community is exactly why I started the doc-series project Unfixed in 2019. After years of isolation I was desperate to learn from others living with chronic illness or rare disease. Little did I know, I'd fall in love with every single subject of that series over the period of 2.5 years. Like you said, I was "blown away and in awe" over and over again by the resilience and brightness of the human spirit. So many think these "chronic illness conversations" must be a real bummer but I've actually found them to be the opposite. Sure, there is suffering, disappointment and pain, and I never omit that part of the experience, but the heavy stuff lives right alongside deep, unconditional joy and strength, and that always leaves me feeling incredibly uplifted with a renewed faith in humanity. x
I couldn't have put it better myself 🥰
This is such a moving documentary! Thank you for creating it and giving voice to the many different perspectives on not only coping but finding a new connection to live in the midst of illness. Thank you as well for the kind mention! It’s a pleasure to meet you.
It's a pleasure to meet you Keisha! I'm glad you're now on my radar and I look forward to reading all you have to offer here. It's such a powerful, gracious community. Thank you for taking the time to watch this episode!
Hi Kimberly! Thank you for your kind words and an introduction to this community. Cheers –to sharing the journey with story and compassion.
So nice to connect with you here Carrie. I look forward to learning more about you!
This is incredibly powerful, Kimberly. The bravery and dignity of all the speakers will edge me closer to those people in my life who are also facing physical and mental challenges with courage, so I can support them better. Thank you for the work you do.
Jeffery, how can I thank you enough? My greatest hope is that this entire series not only gives voice to those needing to be heard, but to all their loved ones. It's too easy to judge, turn away, or simply misunderstand, and it takes a quietness of mind and gentleness of spirit that you so generously demonstrate to penetrate the message and then take it back into your relationships and the world. You're such a dear human.
As so many note, this is just endlessly inspiring and moving to watch and listen to each of these amazing individuals speak of their purpose and lifeline.
Dylan, Elizabeth, everyone, you're remarkable. (As are you, Kimberly, for sharing these videos and making them happen.)
"My lifeline is having a purpose. It is like having a north star." 🧡
Tethering ourselves to that North Star of purpose is so essential, in good times and bad. I did a podcast with Dylan a few weeks ago and the host asked him some yes and no questions at the top of the show that he could answer easily with eye-movements. One of her questions was “Has ALS changed your purpose in life?” And he definitively said “no.” In his book he wrote he’s “always been on the highway to Buddhahood and ALS only accelerated and magnified this purpose.” I love his unwavering conviction, to not even let the complete deterioration of the body derail.
I have his book purchased and downloaded onto my Kindle ready to be read. That and Ben's book are several of my upcoming reads. :)
That's so impressive to hear Dylan's unwavering purpose.