Louis Stanislaw’s documentary On the Edge: Living with Epilepsy had its first screening of a three-show tour in Ottawa May 21, and first-time viewer Lori Timmins says the film had a meaningful impact on her.

Timmins, a member of Epilepsy Ottawa’s board of directors, says the first thing that stood out for her was the candid way in which the documentary was filmed and how well Stanislaw captured scenery and dialogue that expressed people’s experiences of living with epilepsy.

“It was a tremendously powerful and impactful film,” she tells Voices of Epilepsy.

On the Edge was written and directed by Stanislaw, a U.S. filmmaker who has coped with epilepsy his whole life. Through a series of interviews Stanislaw conducts throughout the film, we hear about the painful truths, misunderstandings and difficulties of living with epilepsy at every turn; from family life to school, to leaving home, and starting a career and forming lasting bonds.

The documentary also explores how there is a stigma about epilepsy and about people who are living with the condition. This stigma can cost people their jobs and friendships, which can lead to other conditions, most notably depression and anxiety.

The film also puts faces to the condition, which is meant to inject a better sense of empathy into those listening to the many personal stories told.

Timmins says she found that the documentary, through its visuals, also captures the loneliness people living with a seizure disorder.

The film, which was screened at the National Arts Centre, brought together representatives from UCB Canada Inc., which provided funding for the event, as well as members of the local epilepsy community, Epilepsy Ontario, Epilepsy Ottawa and neurologist and epilepsy specialist Dr. Sharon Whiting.

An insightful panel discussion followed the screening. It was a major highlight of the evening because it provided a “safe environment” for panelists and audience members to discuss their experiences, Timmins says.

Once people began sharing their stories, more people wanted to join in, she says.

“We created an environment that allowed people to really share their stories as well as ask questions,” Timmins says. “Dr. Whiting offered a lot of new and exciting information about what’s going on, particularly in Ottawa, at CHEO (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario), and I thought that was very impactful. ”

On the Edge premiered in Canada last October to much fanfare from the epilepsy community. UCB Canada is also providing funding to help Epilepsy Ontario host screenings in Whitby (June 5) and London (date TBC).

Writer: Deron Hamel

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