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2012 MGFA National Conference »Courtney is presenting Beauty Does Lie at the 2012 MGFA National Conference in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, click here (http://myasthenia.org/LivingwithMG/2012NationalConference.aspx).
Amazing Race »So my friend Meacie and I had this crazy idea that we would audition for the show The Amazing Race. At the time we needed some money so what better way to increase our finances then to get on a show where we could win one million dollars! The only problem was Meacie lived in Boston at the time and I was in Chicago so we were trying to figure out when we could film the audition video. The only window of time we had was when Meacie would be in Chicago on business four weeks after I had major surgery to remove a fibroid tumor. I contacted my wonderful editor Roger Wolski and we were all set to film. As we began filming, Meacie and I realized that us being on The Amazing Race was so much bigger than the two of us. I wanted to show people that although a person maybe diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, he/she can still live a fun, fulfilling and active life. Prior to be having the surgery I was training for the Chicago Marathon. I had even got up to running 10 consecutive miles at one time. For Meacie this was an opportunity to raise awareness of autoimmune diseases as well. Her mom was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease Rheumatoid Arthritis when Meacie was a child. So she had watched her mom raise four beautiful daughters, work a job and take care of her household all while living with rheumatoid arthritis and the challenges that come with the diagnosis.   We had an absolute ball filming. The theme of the audition video was actually inspired by real events. And I’m leaving at that J! But like all productive procrastinators, Meacie and I never set in the video. Between her moving from the east coast to the west coast and me returning to work after surgery it was one of those things that got lost in the shuffle.   Since Meacie and I didn’t send the video into CBS, I decided to post it for your enjoyment.

Beauty Does Lie

bdl film award

For several years I thought about different ways to educate the public about autoimmune diseases. Although writing a book was a great idea, it just wasn’t the right idea at the moment.

Maybe obtaining a Master’s in a health-related field would give me the background, but I was already living with an autoimmune disease so what exactly was a scholarly book going to teach me that I didn’t already know. So I just said "Okay", until the light goes off I’ll just keep talking to people about myasthenia gravis, the autoimmune disease I was diagnosed with at the still tender age of 22, to educate them about autoimmune diseases.

Once I started talking to people I started noticing a theme. People would take one look at me and say that I was the “best looking sick person that they know”. People would continuously ask me what my secret was for looking so good despite living with myasthenia gravis. I just figured I looked the same as I always had, except for gaining 20 lbs from taking the medication prednisone for the myasthenia gravis. And even when I lost the weight, people began reminding me that I didn’t look like anything was wrong with me. So, in February 2006, God gave me the vision to produce a documentary on women with autoimmune diseases.

With a lot of thought, prayer and an idea from my mother, this is how Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases was borne. The title was conceived based on one of many comments I received from people after being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. People with autoimmune diseases often appear “healthy” from outward physical appearances; however, autoimmune diseases cause devastating and debilitating physical and emotional effects which are not often visible to the naked eye.

On September 8, 2006 I held the Premiere of the documentary I produced, Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases, with free admission to the public for approximately 300 people at the DuSable Museum of African American History in Chicago, IL. Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases explores the lives of seven African American women living with various forms of autoimmune diseases including lupus, multiple sclerosis, Sjogren’s syndrome, pernicious anemia and myasthenia gravis. The women explain their emotional and physical difficulties of living with chronic, potentially debilitating diseases while dealing with the ignorance and misunderstanding of their diseases they encounter in society due to their healthy outer appearances. In spite of their daily battles with their autoimmune diseases, these women are able to triumph and live fulfilling lives. Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases also features commentary by highly regarded medical professionals in the Chicago community including, rheumatologist Dr. Adrienne Burford Foggs of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL and neurologist Dr. Tonya Fuller of Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, IL. Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases was picked up for distribution in July 2007 by Fanlight Productions, Inc. Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases has also won several awards, including being selected for presentation at the Western Psychological Association Convention and receiving a Merit Award for Video at the National Health Information Awards, both in 2008.

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To obtain a copy of the award-winning documentary, Beauty Does Lie: The Untold Stories of Autoimmune Diseases: 

• Businesses, Organizations and Libraries CLICK HERE

• For the home-viewing price of $39, please contact Anthony Sweeney at (800) 876-1710

"Beauty Does Lie" Trailer


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"Beauty Does Lie" The premiere


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