The trials and tribulations of families dealing with cancer are explored in the documentary The Art of the Possible, recently released by two Ohio University professors.
We answer two questions in the film: How can doctors be responsive to patients
and how can families be resilient? said Lynn Harter, Ph.D, co-producer of the film and a professor in the area of Health Communication within the School of Communication Studies at OU.
Casey Hayward, M.F.A., an assistant professor in the OU School of Media Arts and Studies, also co-produced the documentary. The two producers have been working on the film for about two years.
The Art of the Possible is a film that explores five different families and their journey as their children battle various forms of pediatric cancer. These families are linked together by a common doctor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Dr. Pete Anderson is the key character. He is ranked No. 1 in his field and practices innovative techniques Harter said. He helped us pick the five families that are featured in the film and he served as the connective thread since they were all receiving part of the care from him.
This film has been screened three times so far. The first screening took place Dec. 1 at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, the second was Dec. 2 at Texas A&M University and the third was Dec. 9 at the Medina High School Performing Arts Center. Medina, Ohio is the home of Logan Boyd and his family, one of the five families featured in the film.
When they asked us if we wanted to participate
I said
'Are you sure?' I couldn't believe it because we aren't a typical family. I mean
we have a pet pig
said Michelle Boyd, Logan's mother. Logan passed away last March at the age of 18.
It was important because now Logan has a legacy. We have wonderful moments to remember that we wouldn't have had otherwise
Boyd said. I hope others can learn from these families
that all the doctors communicated
and should see that they should be treated that way
and that others see this is how this should go.
Each of the families was given a camera to take with them for a year to keep a video diary. This allowed for the families to show their individual experiences.
We chose a traditional method of storytelling
