Four young adults with genetic disorders describe their personal struggles and triumphs and how cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, hemophilia, and Huntington's disease have changed their lives and their outlook on life. The video provides students with the basic biological facts necessary to understand how genes work and how genetic disorders are transmitted from one generation to the next. The four young adults relate their experiences growing up with these disorders and talk candidly about how their conditions affected their lives and their relationships with peers. Students will gain insights into the strategies these young people have used to cope with being different and will leave the video with a new appreciation of others in their school and community who may have similar afflictions.
In a special, extended bonus interview, Katie discusses her range of emotions from anger, to denial, and eventually to acceptance after learning that she inherited the gene for Huntington's disease, a disease whose symptoms normally first appear in mid-adulthood and get worse over time.
Includes:
video, plus teacher’s resource book, student handouts and pre/post tests in digital format
Reviews
This overview of four genetic disorders—cystic fibrosis, sickle-cell anemia, hemophilia, and Huntington’s disease—introduces genetic mutations, followed by the personal experiences of four young adults. Kathryn suffers from cystic fibrosis, and Tiffany is afflicted with sickle-cell anemia. Rene has hemophilia, a single recessive genetic disorder passed down from mother to son, and Katie carries the gene for Huntington’s disease, which usually manifests itself in middle age. The four participants talk about diagnosis, medications, and treatment and the physical, psychological, and emotional effects on their lives. Katie who exhibits no symptoms, tells why she chose testing to determine if she carries the gene for Huntington’s and how she is preparing herself, friends, and family for her future disability. Interviews (including one with a genetic counselor), live-action footage, and occasional computer-animated diagrams make up the bulk of this well-produced, informative program.
— Debra McLeod
Booklist Online
Presented by a young host, this program offers substantial narrative from four young adults affected by genetic disorders as well as from a genetic counselor. In addition, animated models demonstrate the genetic causes of disease. Four disorders are covered: cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and Huntington's disease. Each of the afflicted people tells the story of how their condition was diagnosed and the treatment they have received. The young woman who has a genetic disposition for Huntington's disease is asymptomatic now, but is vigilant about planning for the future. The individual with cystic fibrosis had a lung transplant, which has improved her quality of life but has not eradicated the disease completely. Each speaker has learned how to lead a fulfilling life. The guide is chock-full of useful resources.
—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA
School Library Journal