​The One of Many Documentary

ONE OF MANY REVEALS THE HIDDEN TOLL OF CHRONIC PAIN ON PEOPLE, THEIR LOVED ONES, AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY WHILE SHINING A LIGHT ON OUR FLAWED HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
Brought to you by the American Chronic Pain Association​® (ACPA)

The One of Many Documentary

​When approached by a team of documentary filmmakers—the ACPA became intrigued by a true story,
​and the opportunity to raise awareness about Chronic Pain.
One of Many. These filmmakers are determined to shine a light on the experience of living with Chronic Pain (and caring for it) in an authentic way. The decision of the ACPA to support the ONE OF MANY documentary was for the following reasons…
  1. To give people with chronic pain conditions a voice.
  2. To help facilitate peer support.
  3. To help educate the general public on the Chronic Pain crisis we are facing.
  4. To provide hope for individuals living with pain conditions.
  5. To raise awareness among the health care community, policymakers, and the public at large about issues of living with physical and emotional pain.

THE FILM. Art meets reality in ONE OF MANY as Mike Wagner, a blue-collar family man, loses his battle with chronic pain while fighting a maddening bureaucracy. 

Through the perspective of Mike, who secretly recorded 697 videos documenting his daily struggle while his daughter Brittany made a comedic web series about it—we give an intimate look at the dark reality of living with chronic pain, like nothing seen before in a documentary film.

HIS STORY IS JUST ONE OF MANY.
​MEET THE CREATOR
Brittany Wagner is Mike’s eldest daughter—a filmmaker, writer, and producer. She is not only the director of this film, but she also serves as the occasional on-camera guide of ONE OF MANY. As Mike paints a picture of pain for us and the pursuit to find the support he so needs, Brittany makes the connection between his private video recordings and her public web series, RAISING ADULTS.

In 2016, Brittany set out to tell their story through her lens, to connect with others over the complex and sometimes darkly funny circumstances they found themselves in as a daughter supporting her disabled father. Little did she know, Mike had other plans as he secretly documented his day-to-day, giving us a raw glimpse of his pain and each unfortunate hurdle, he encountered. In a story of unconventional struggle where art imitates life, life also began to imitate art once Mike turned the camera on himself.
​Brittany, who also managed Mike’s healthcare, was close with her dad. She was his confidant, his power of attorney, and his best friend. Handed a legacy, Brittany is now tasked with telling the true story of the man that is sadly like so many others.

Monetary Support of The Documentary

One of Many (Documentary) Kickstarter Campaign. Please share! Please try to contribute to this much needed project: 
If you are willing and able to support the documentary, 100% of collected funds go to the production of the film. And it's tax deductible. 

Prefer Check? Mail checks to:
American Chronic Pain Association
ATTN: One of Many
11936 W. 119th Street, Suite 216, 
Overland Park, KS 66213
​MEET THE MAN
Mike Wagner is a modern-day everyman character, with everyman paradoxes that make him relatable to many. People like Mike aren’t typically represented in film. In fact, the film is firmly rooted in struggling middle America—a community of the borderline poor and forgotten who are neither blue nor red but just trying to get by. Their stories are almost never told and usually die with them.
Mike is representative of their frustration with the broken systems that make it impossible to get the compassionate care needed.
QUOTES FROM THE CREATOR
Never has the silent suffering experienced by so many been documented so thoroughly or intimately.

Behind my dad’s story is a struggle that was deeply felt by others. My family, my sister, our community and I were all witnesses to his daily battle and the pain that was ever-present from the moment of his accident. But we didn’t know the half of it.

When I started this project, I thought it was just a chance to let him tell his story; I didn’t know I’d learn more about him and the reality of living with chronic pain than I already knew. And I never expected that his story could speak to more than those with chronic pain until I watched, transcribed, and absorbed hundreds of hours of footage. His words and feelings, while unique to him, are representative of a collective misery and a larger problem. 
​ACPA Disclaimer:
Contents of the documentary, including but not limited to documents, interactions, interviews, opinions, and actions in the ONE OF MANY documentary are those of the Authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or viewpoints of the ACPA. Although some topics may seem controversial, it is important for the ONE OF MANY documentary to cover a variety of topics regarding pain. Always, consult a healthcare professional on all healthcare decisions.