The Walk of Life

international | health / disability issues | opinion/analysis Thursday June 15, 2006 19:04 by Karla Healion

Follow a young Irish man's amazing journey of recovery from acute arthritus through an incredible documentary.

A young Irish man is flying to Arizona today (June 15) to begin an amazingly difficult journey of recovery from arthritus that's had him on crutches for almost a decade. His ordeal is being documented, and the film, 'Walking', will completed in 2008.
Nothing is more incredible, moving and noteworthy than a person's determination to show the world that he will never give up, will share every experience and- most of all-can recover one hundred per cent when the odds are against him.

An inspiration: Dermot Brannick in 'Walking' documentary

A twenty eight year old from Dublin is flying to Arizona today. That sounds normal enough, but the next three years of his life there will be documented by a film production company. The film is already due to be shown at three film festivals on its completion in 2008.
The man’s name is Dermot Brannick and the reason he is going, the reason a bunch of documentary makers are following his every move, is because he’s atempting to cure himself of debilitating arthritis that’s plagued him since he was just eighteen.
He initially went to Arizona in 1999; nineteen and totally alone. His mission then was the same as it is now, but his youth and inexperience caused him to return without any progress made. Yet in his hour of desperation and in the lonely absence of success, Dermot didn’t go home and cry on his mother’s shoulder. He didn’t even set out to help other victims of this cruel, unreasonalbe disease. He set up an Irish-based charity to help Russian orphans and devoted the next few years of his life to aiding and fundraising for these most underprivilaged street kids. Then in 2005 he founded Medium Rare Productions and endeavoured to do again what he couldn’t before.
Which brings us back to today. The day that this young man will take his life in his hands and travel to the States to heal his misfortuned body. He blames no-one for the arthritic sacroiliitis that’s forced his dependency on crutches for nine years. He’s not bitter that these are the years of one’s life usually spent shagging girls and dancing at clubs. He accepts that there are no abstract miracles and that if he is cured it will be hard work. But he also expects his body to react to the philosophy that he as cultivated, that with the right mindset and correct paradigm he can totally cure himself of the torturous, constant pain and discomfort of his disease.
The most incredible thing of all is that Dermot’s the most wonderful, funny and convivial guy you’ll ever meet. His treatment will come from the same place as his philosophy: that life is short, fears must be faced and recovery is worth it. He’s more inspirational than anyone I’ve met. May his recovery be fast and long-lasting.

Keep an eye on www.walking08.org to experience this incredible journey with Dermot. The documentary is called ‘Walking’ and will be complete in 2008.