Road to independence: Documentary about young people with NMD

The documentary ‘Road to Independence’ portrays the lives of six young people living with neuromuscular diseases.

Enrico is preparing to face his high school final exams and to say goodbye to the enriching experience of his life. Maddalena has left Sardinia, her homeland, to pursue her studies in Milan, embracing the challenges and opportunities of a new life in a new place. Sebastian uses creativity as a tool to build his future in Chihuahua, Mexico. Giorgiana is close to graduating in a field that combines her interest in economics with the healthcare sector, which she has been familiar with since childhood. Nicolò is growing within the working world, supported by his colleagues and his family. Sara explores Madrid and expands her social network while completing her internship among those in need of listening and support. Six extraordinary young people discovering the milestones of life while living with neuromuscular conditions.

“Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy are both rare genetic disorders for which significant progress has been made in recent years, thanks to research and new standards of care that have increased survival and improved many functional aspects,” says Eugenio Mercuri, Director of the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health Sciences and Public Health at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome and Professor of Child Neuropsychiatry at the Catholic University. “As clinicians and researchers, we have grown alongside these children, who are now young adults ready to explore the world and life on their journey towards independence.”

An independence that requires commitment, courage, support, challenges to face, and solutions to seek.

“In this documentary, we wanted to capture the many milestones, emotions, and experiences that are part of our young people’s lives,” says Nicoletta Madia, Head of Pediatric Projects at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital and director of the documentary. “The messages that, together with all the young people, we wanted to convey in this year-long narrative lead us to the strength of life beyond the presence of illness, the central role of education in human development, self-determination, inclusion, the beauty of human relationships, and the energy of passion.”

Road to independence

Please watch the documentary ‘Road to independence’ below.