Under Our Skin
Lyme Disease Education and Support Groups of Maryland
PRESS RELEASE
Contact- Lucy Barnes, Director
Lyme Disease Movie Presentation- Under Our Skin
The award winning Lyme disease documentary, Under Our Skin, has been making its rounds across the country, including a recent stop at Silverdocs in Silver Springs, MD, where it was chosen as the Official Selection at this years prestigious film festival.
Those who missed the Maryland premiere will have an opportunity to see the movie, in its entirety, on November 13, 2008, compliments of the Harford County Lyme Disease Support Group, Inc. Admission is free and seats will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
Lyme disease is one of the most misunderstood and controversial illnesses of our time. The exploding epidemic has already claimed many victims across the state, where the number of reported cases have sky rocketed by more than 1,300% since the early 1990’s.
Described as the “next tsunami” by experienced front-line physicians treating countless numbers of chronically ill and disabled patients, but also being reported to be nothing more than an “easy to diagnose” and “easy to treat“ disease by a handful of self-proclaimed experts promoting “cost effective” treatment, Lyme disease is no doubt a national health crisis threatening the health and welfare of millions.
Filmed at various locations across the country, Under Our Skin takes a close look at the corrupt science and politics behind the growing epidemic. It exposes some of the Maryland doctors and researchers who have been linked directly to the shameful controversy, including those who were investigated by the Attorney General of CT for illegal practices related to the Infectious Diseases Society of America’s (IDSA) treatment guidelines.
It also reveals the ostracizing and harsh punishment bestowed on the few researchers and physicians risking their licenses to save lives; those who continue to bravely step out of the proverbial box in an effort to follow their oath to “first do no harm”.
A forest ranger, major league baseball player, recently married couple, pregnant mother and a rock band crew member are some of the adults whose struggles with Lyme are featured on the big screen. The heartbreak and devastation caused by this illness, however, can best be seen in the eyes of the children who were denied treatment and deteriorated to the point of being unable to speak, walk, play or attend school, as their parents watched in horror during the unfolding of this shameful medical nightmare.
The Harford County debut of Under Our Skin is open to the public and will be presented on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Highland Presbyterian Church, 701 Highland Road, Street, Maryland 21154. There is no admission charge and seats will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the movie starts promptly at 7:00 pm. Running time, including a short intermission, will be approximately two hours. Refreshments will be served and educational literature will be available. For more information, please visit www.UnderOurSkin.com or contact Jean F. Galbreath at JGLyme@aol.com
“A very important and timely work, not to mention an extraordinarily cinematic piece.” Sky Sitney- Silverdocs AFI/Discovery Film Festival.
"Riveting...plays like a taut thriller." - Maine International Film Festival ***** “Emotionally charged.” ABC News.
"[The film] gets under your skin and into your heart…[and] moves the viewer to ask serious questions about modern medicine. This film is a wake-up call that should reverberate through the halls of Congress, as well as doctors' offices and research facilities." - James Swan, ESPN.com