11 July 2012 Jon Hastie's film 'the main feature' in Westminster
Time is really the only capital that any human being has and the thing that he can least afford to waste or lose...
Thomas Edison
Trailblazers Dr Jon Hastie screened his new film A Life Worth Living to MPs and Peers in Westminster last night.
The above quote was on the screen as people arrived at the evening's reception at Portcullis House on the 10th of July. A more appropriate one could not have been found to emphasise the point put across by Dr Jon Hastie's film ‘A Life Worth Living'.
Jon was joined by over 100 supporters including fellow Trailblazers and Muscular Dystrophy Campaign staff along with MPs and The Baroness Jane Campbell, who is a commissioner of the EHRC (Equality and Human Rights Commission). Katie Razzall, the Channel 4 presenter who interviewed Jon about making the film also attended the evening and sat on a discussion panel that followed the film screening.
Paul Maynard, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Young Disabled People gave an introduction to the evening. He shared his support for the film and hoped that this film would inspire everyone who attended the evening as well as others who may have the opportunity to watch it.
The film, A Life Worth Living, focuses on the realities of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The every day struggles involved with living with a severe disability. Jon's film expresses that achievements can be made no matter what barriers people are faced with. The film also discusses other challenges faced by young disabled people when it comes to physical relationships. This is a topic that is not broadly discussed but it was interesting to see and hear Jon and the other young men's views on relationships and hear about their life experiences.
The inspiration for making this film came from making friends on Facebook with people who have Duchenne. The film is a celebration of what is possible.
Dr Jon Hastie
After the film there was a question an answer panel, which gave the audience a chance to comment, express their thoughts and show their appreciation to Jon for making the film A Life Worth Living. The audience shared their own experiences of independent living and MPs agreed that further changes need to be made in the system to ensure young disabled adults can live independently.
Trailblazers member Hannah-Louise Blackall said;
I thought the night was a fantastic success, and am very grateful to John for making a film that brought to light such poignant topics. I would also like to thank him for not being afraid to film the realities that young disabled people face. I hope that everyone who watches it finds it as inspirational as I did and I hope they are able to gain further insight into the lives of young disabled people.
Jonathan Kingsley, Parliamentary and Campaigns Officer at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said:
The Muscular Dystrophy Campaign was delighted to have the opportunity to arrange a screening of Jon's inspirational film in Parliament. Speaking to our supporters, MPs and Peers after the screening, it was clear that the film had a powerful impact on everyone. We look forward to supporting Jon as he continues to promote his film at international film festivals.
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