​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)

July 13th Town Hall: The One of Many Documentary

The ACPA is pleased to present an unprecedented partnership with a team of documentary filmmakers and their film ONE OF MANY. 

Meet the filmmakers at their upcoming virtual Town Hall on Thursday, July 13th from 6-6:30PM Central. Meeting link & details below.

Learn about the film, the team, and their mission to shine a light on the often-hidden experiences of those suffering from chronic pain told through a story of heart, humor, and power. The film, ONE OF MANY, does more than give an intimate look at the dark reality of living with chronic pain—it’s a chance to change the way that pain is viewed in society so that action can be taken to support those who need it while offering a reprieve for them too.

Catch an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their process and hear it all from them. The team will host a brief Q&A at the end where attendees can share thoughts and questions.

How it started:
When approached by a young woman with a gut-wrenching story about her father’s experience with chronic pain and hers in caring for him—the ACPA was intrigued. Not only was this an opportunity to bring a true patient story to life — and on the big screen — but it was an opportunity to validate the experience of others suffering from chronic pain. The decision of the ACPA to support the ONE OF MANY documentary was an easy one.
How it’s going:
They’ll be the first to tell you that filmmaking is hard and documentary filmmaking can be even more challenging. Right now, the team is collecting tax-deductible donations through the ACPA to support the making of their film. They’re also seeking traditional financial investments and passionate “ambassadors” to simply share about the film. 

Please join them on Thursday, July 13th from 6-6:30PM Central. And follow their journey online at their website and instagram.

​Join here:
Topic: ACPA Presents Documentary One of Many, Meet the Filmmakers

Time: Jul 13, 2023 06:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89930974765?pwd=VmlnVlpHRjRTLy95c2s4QzhCekJFQT09

Meeting ID: 899 3097 4765
Passcode: 101048
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​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

​If you would like to contribute to ONE OF MANY, please press the DONATE button below!
Click here for a sharable link
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.