The movie Me Before You, available to stream on Amazon Video, follows a young man's journey after a devastating spinal cord injury. I chose this movie because I remembered seeing it when it came out a few years ago, but wanted to see this portrayal of life with a spinal cord injury through my "OT lens." I have learned a great deal about SCI since starting OT school, and I was curious to see what new things I noticed that I did not see when I watched the movie the first time.
Will Trainer led a very active and spirited lifestyle before he was hit by a motorcycle while crossing the street one rainy day. I didn't catch if they said his exact injury level, there were a few inconsistencies that make it hard to say. Will was unable to feed himself, which would mean his injury level was at or above C5. However, he was unable to use his shoulders and arms at all (which would be C1-C4), yet able to use a power wheelchair by use of one hand (C8). They mentioned in the movie that with many hours of intense therapy, he only regained minimal use of his thumb and index finger in one hand. He can only slightly turn his head and control his power chair, so for the purposes of the movie, I think his injury was supposed to be around C5.
Will's parents look to hire an aid to help Will during the day, when his therapist must see other patients, and here is where Louisa (Lou) Clark enters. She is young, vivacious and talkative, and is willing to try this daunting task of becoming Will's caregiver mainly because her family desperately needs the money. Will and Lou get off to a rocky start, as he is very unwelcoming to her and her cheerful demeanor. However, as she sticks with her new job, she eventually confronts him about how poorly he treats those around him, even people who are trying to help him. I tried imagining myself in his shoes, and I honestly can see how I would probably react in a similar way to people. He was frustrated and depressed because of his inability to do the things he used to be able to do. After her confrontation, however, he begins to open up to her and they start to become friends.
Lou overhears Will's parents arguing one day, and realizes that Will desires to end his life through an organization called Dignitas. I looked it up and was surprised to find that it is the real name of the organization- it's a Swiss non-profit that provides assisted suicide to people who are terminally ill/injured. Obviously, Lou is troubled by this and vows to change Will's mind. She makes plans to take Will out to various events, such as watching horse racing or going to a classical music concert, to ignite a love for life in him again. She strives to make Will realize that although this is not the life he would have chosen for himself, that he can still enjoy the life he has. I was definitely on Lou's team. I did not like the picture the movie painted- that because of Will's disability, he did not see any worth or value in himself.
Unfortunately, even after all of Lou's efforts, he tells her that he made his decision months ago and nothing can change his mind. I must say that this did not sit right with me. Yes, it was Will's decision to make, but I did not like the picture it painted of life with disability. While I cannot say that I have first hand experience with living with a disability, I do know that some of the most inspiring stories I have come across are of those living life to the fullest, despite whatever setbacks they have encountered in their lives. I am afraid that this movie might give the impression that people with disabilities or terminal illnesses are of less worth than those whose bodies perform as they should. This is clearly untrue. Occupational therapy is all about living life to the fullest and adapting, which I wish Will had done in this movie. Ignoring this issue, the movie was otherwise good, if you're looking for a tear-jerking romance story (which I admit, I love a good romance every once and awhile).
I think I would have really loved this movie if I were allowed to write an alternate ending, which would go something like this: Though all of Lou's efforts to show Will that life, yes life with a disability, can be fun, fulfilling, and worthwhile, he becomes more open-minded. He is inspired by all of her effort and enthusiasm about life, and she convinces him that he is not holding her back from any of the other things she could do with her life. They get married, travel the world, he becomes a motivational speaker or they start an organization that helps people with spinal cord injuries... and so on. Now obviously, life doesn't always turn out that wonderfully, but I do want to emphasize that anyone, even Will Trainer, can live life to the fullest.
Will Trainer led a very active and spirited lifestyle before he was hit by a motorcycle while crossing the street one rainy day. I didn't catch if they said his exact injury level, there were a few inconsistencies that make it hard to say. Will was unable to feed himself, which would mean his injury level was at or above C5. However, he was unable to use his shoulders and arms at all (which would be C1-C4), yet able to use a power wheelchair by use of one hand (C8). They mentioned in the movie that with many hours of intense therapy, he only regained minimal use of his thumb and index finger in one hand. He can only slightly turn his head and control his power chair, so for the purposes of the movie, I think his injury was supposed to be around C5.
Will's parents look to hire an aid to help Will during the day, when his therapist must see other patients, and here is where Louisa (Lou) Clark enters. She is young, vivacious and talkative, and is willing to try this daunting task of becoming Will's caregiver mainly because her family desperately needs the money. Will and Lou get off to a rocky start, as he is very unwelcoming to her and her cheerful demeanor. However, as she sticks with her new job, she eventually confronts him about how poorly he treats those around him, even people who are trying to help him. I tried imagining myself in his shoes, and I honestly can see how I would probably react in a similar way to people. He was frustrated and depressed because of his inability to do the things he used to be able to do. After her confrontation, however, he begins to open up to her and they start to become friends.
Lou overhears Will's parents arguing one day, and realizes that Will desires to end his life through an organization called Dignitas. I looked it up and was surprised to find that it is the real name of the organization- it's a Swiss non-profit that provides assisted suicide to people who are terminally ill/injured. Obviously, Lou is troubled by this and vows to change Will's mind. She makes plans to take Will out to various events, such as watching horse racing or going to a classical music concert, to ignite a love for life in him again. She strives to make Will realize that although this is not the life he would have chosen for himself, that he can still enjoy the life he has. I was definitely on Lou's team. I did not like the picture the movie painted- that because of Will's disability, he did not see any worth or value in himself.
Unfortunately, even after all of Lou's efforts, he tells her that he made his decision months ago and nothing can change his mind. I must say that this did not sit right with me. Yes, it was Will's decision to make, but I did not like the picture it painted of life with disability. While I cannot say that I have first hand experience with living with a disability, I do know that some of the most inspiring stories I have come across are of those living life to the fullest, despite whatever setbacks they have encountered in their lives. I am afraid that this movie might give the impression that people with disabilities or terminal illnesses are of less worth than those whose bodies perform as they should. This is clearly untrue. Occupational therapy is all about living life to the fullest and adapting, which I wish Will had done in this movie. Ignoring this issue, the movie was otherwise good, if you're looking for a tear-jerking romance story (which I admit, I love a good romance every once and awhile).
I think I would have really loved this movie if I were allowed to write an alternate ending, which would go something like this: Though all of Lou's efforts to show Will that life, yes life with a disability, can be fun, fulfilling, and worthwhile, he becomes more open-minded. He is inspired by all of her effort and enthusiasm about life, and she convinces him that he is not holding her back from any of the other things she could do with her life. They get married, travel the world, he becomes a motivational speaker or they start an organization that helps people with spinal cord injuries... and so on. Now obviously, life doesn't always turn out that wonderfully, but I do want to emphasize that anyone, even Will Trainer, can live life to the fullest.
Amazon.com. (2016). Retrieved May 22, 2018, from https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GIIXA2M?ref=dvm_us_tvod_sl_g_TtlM_183|c_245295797519_m_4YcWR8ma-dc_s__
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