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Having a Choice

Real people telling real stories about anxiety and prescription medications. A documentary film aimed at empowering people to empower themselves to be healthy.

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Having a Choice

Having a Choice

Having a Choice

Having a Choice

Having a Choice

Real people telling real stories about anxiety and prescription medications. A documentary film aimed at empowering people to empower themselves to be healthy.

Real people telling real stories about anxiety and prescription medications. A documentary film aimed at empowering people to empower themselves to be healthy.

Real people telling real stories about anxiety and prescription medications. A documentary film aimed at empowering people to empower themselves to be healthy.

Real people telling real stories about anxiety and prescription medications. A documentary film aimed at empowering people to empower themselves to be healthy.

Jessica Lewis
Jessica Lewis
Jessica Lewis
Jessica Lewis
1 Campaign |
New York City, United States
$414 USD 8 backers
0% of $100,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal

A Documentary Film

As one of the most trusted health professionals, I feel it is my duty to protect the public. In fact, I took an oath to do so. As a pharmacist, I help people optimize their lifestyle and diet; and safely and effectively manage their medications. My platform of balanced wellness by living with a choice encourages me to raise awareness on a vitally important issue. I cannot ignore the stories I am told and experience. 

I am writing and producing a documentary film about anxiety in today's society; the hidden and secret epidemic that is negatively affecting many lives.  

The "quick fix", of which includes many prescription drugs, is not identifying the real cause of anxiety and is often creating bigger problems. Many of the incidents in our schools, like the shooting in Connecticut have a common thread, legal psychiatric medications. Psychiatric medications, such as the benzodiazepines (alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam), if not managed correctly can be deadly in more than one scenario. We question the use of these medications at the time of these horrific incidents but the attention dissipates quickly. Why? We must ask sustained questions otherwise history will continue to repeat itself.

SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND

I have heard people's stories about legal drugs for anxiety; stories mostly from women and young adults. Stories from your mothers, sisters, daughters, etc. that need to be shared. Real stories from real people will shock you.  Knowledge is power and empowerment is necessary for self advocacy. Our mission is to empower others to empower themselves! Now is the time to begin to ask the important questions before more people are hurt. 

We must seek to understand the cause of anxiety. We need to question the proper use of psychiatric and anxiety medications. We seek to raise awareness about choices and balance within healthcare.

I have my own story (see Jessica's Journal in the gallery). I do not suffer with anxiety, but I was able to readily obtain a prescription for alprazolam! It all made sense to me at that point in time why so many people were suffering. Stories must be shared. If not for you, for your family members, friends, and those who impact your life every day. Prescription medications are not being taken seriously.

Our society is creating, enabling, and ignoring a population dependent on legal drugs. People crave education, choices, and options. There are choices within healthcare to live your best life. I wish to inspire by providing education, awareness, and the power of a choice through a focused crusade.

An informed choice is the best choice. Balanced wellness is attainable we must take responsibility for our health and the health of others.

 

 Roberto Monticello is joining me on this project as director. As someone who has made his life's mission to help others, he has also personally seen the negative effects of legal drugs. Together this makes him the perfect person to lead this project to document real people's stories surrounding anxiety and the legal medications used to treat it. 

 

What We Need & What You Get

We are seeking funds for film materials, rentals, transportation, and marketing of our documentary film. We have included some unique perks but most of all you would be contributing to a healthier life for many, including your family and friends; and you just may be saving a life.

We also ask for contributions beyond financial! If you have a story you want to share please contact us, or if you have expertise related to our film please contact us. If we raise more than we have budgeted for we plan to make a second film as a follow-up. Awareness does not end. 

 

The Impact

We seek to save lives. Data from the New York City Department of Health show benzodiazepines were tied to more than 30 percent of all the city's overdose deaths in 2009, or 3.3 out of 10.9.  Nearly all of those overdoses involved multiple drugs, including the benzodiazepines. NBC4NY 3-16-2013 I-Team Report (see website listed in "Tools" below).

We seek to change lives. We seek to provide an awareness that will impact society. We seek to educate about options and true balance in healthcare and wellness. Options exist, only if you know what they are. I am a pharmacist. I know the impact. I want to help. 

 

Other Ways You Can Help

Use the indiegogo share tools and get the word out. Forty million people age 18 and up (18%) are affected by anxiety in America alone. Most keep it a secret and suffer silently. Spread the word!! Share our project with everyone you know on facebook, twitter, email, word of mouth, etc. Change is now! Lets help one another. That is where the power lies. Share our story and join our crusade!

Tools:

1.  www.livingwithachoice.com 

2.  "Jessica's Journal"  for a bit of my own story (gallery)

3.  My Oath as a Pharmacist http://www.uspharmd.com/pharmacist/pharmacist_oath_and_code_of_ethics/

4.  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov/homeandrecreationalsafety/rxbrief/

5.  NBC4NY I-Team Report http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Xanax-Anti-Anxiety-Drugs-ER-Visits-Overdose-Deaths-NYC-151438745.html

 

 

 

 

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Choose your Perk

Every Dollar = Change

$1 USD
The Door is Opened. Thank you :)
1 claimed

Interested in Hearing More

$10 USD
A personal "Thank You" from us to you! Changing Lives!
0 claimed

11x11

$11 USD
You choose how many 11's to donate. Every 1 represents a person you choose to help through this film. 4 people then donate at this level twice; 6 people, donate at this level 3 times. Your personal crusade. Your friends. Your family. Changing Lives. Saving Lives!
4 claimed

You Really Care!

$25 USD
A personal "Thank You" on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Changing Lives.
0 claimed

A Passionate Effort!

$125 USD
An additional "Thank You" in the movie credits. A DVD of the finished project. A personalized vial of balancing essential oil. Changing Lives.
2 claimed

Seeking to Make a Difference

$500 USD
All of the above plus free admission to the premiere. Changing Lives.
0 claimed

Just as Passionate as We Are!

$1,000 USD
All of the above plus a one hour personalized health session with our pharmacist aimed at optimizing your diet, lifestyle, and medications to live your healthiest life. Changing Lives.
0 claimed

Producer Level

$10,000 USD
Come help us save lives! Producer credits
0 claimed
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