For immediate release…

Local non-profit, U.R. Our Hope, kicks off fundraising weekend with filming for upcoming documentary about The Undiagnosed

U.R. Our Hope is an Austin non-profit that works with families and individuals with rare and undiagnosed medical disorders. This weekend marks their inaugural fundraising gala which begins with a Patient Advocacy Conference on Saturday, October 19th, 2013 and culminates with a dinner and silent auction Sunday, October 20, 2013 to be captured by independent film crew Crowbait Pictures, who is filming a documentary on The Undiagnosed.

Saturday’s Patient Advocacy Conference is presented by Hari Khalsa of the Healthcare Whisperer. Conference attendees will learn how an advocate, in partnership with patients, successfully navigates the healthcare system by gathering critical and pertinent information, removing barriers to care and providing support. Participate in a panel discussion with patients, medical professionals and advocates discussing the need for advocates in helping patients.

Confirmed speakers and panel participants include patient advocate Hari Khalsa (president of the Healthcare Whisperer), self advocate Katia Moritz (who is also Clinical Director of the NeuroBehavioral Institute and Psychoeducational Liaison for Academic-Options), Dr. Mary Elizabeth Parker (Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Texas State University, and Medical Liaison for U.R. Our Hope), Rev. Cecile Adams (Chaplain for Seton Hospitals), and parent advocates.

This conference is open to medical professionals, patients, self advocates, and anyone interested in learning more about advocating for patient rights. Conference Fee is $75 and all funds go to U.R. Our Hope, to help individuals and families during hospitalizations, in times of crisis, and for uncovered medical visits. In addition, these funds will be used to support the goals and mission of serving those with undiagnosed and rare disorders through advocacy, networking, and collaboration. Registration is available at www.urourhope.org/events There are a limited number of scholarships available. Please e-mail vanessa@urourhope.org if you would like to attend and request a scholarship.

Sunday’s dinner will be held at Russell’s Bistro on 38th street and features silent auction items from various local Austin businesses. The dinner will be attended by parents and local supporters of the organization. Limited seats are available, please contact us for reservations.

The entire weekend will be filmed by Crowbait Pictures as part of their upcoming documentary. Undiagnosed is a documentary film that takes you along on their journey of the unknown as they move between exuberant hope for an answer to feelings of despair and resignation when none is given. The film aspires to bring objectivity to this controversial and timely subject by interviewing doctors, medical administrators, and people, both children and adults, who have the misfortune of suffering without a diagnosis. Research and professional opinions combine with gripping stories into an incredible narrative that showcases the strength of the human spirit and the need for change in our medical system. The film will feature several Austin families who will discuss their diagnostic journey.

U.R. Our Hope is excited to have such a convergence of events in one inspiring, uplifting, and meaningful weekend. We hope you will support the rare and undiagnosed community by featuring these events in your media outlets.

For more information, please contact:
Vanessa Garcia
Secretary for U.R. Our Hope
Vanessa@urourhope.org
512.709.9420

U.R. Our Hope (www.urourhope.org) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that assists individuals and families on the journey to find a diagnosis, or helps them navigate the health care system with a rare diagnosis. The organization provides support to individuals and their families through open dialogue, one-on-one interaction, online tools, advocacy, and financial resources.

 

Mary Elizabeth Parker, PT Ph.D, NCS, PCS -Dr. Parker is a clinical assistant professor of physical therapy at Texas State University-San Marcos. She maintains a small home-based patient caseload in Austin with Growing Places Therapy. Her research and clinical interests are children with complex multisystem disorders including mitochondrial disorders and autism. She enjoys putting her knowledge to work through a non-profit she helped to establish, U.R. Our Hope, which assists individuals and families on the diagnostic journey at any age and any stage. mparkerpt@aol.com, mary@urourhope.org
Hari Khalsa is the owner of Healthcare Whisperer, (www.healthcarewhisperer.com) a healthcare advocacy company based in Waltham, Massachusetts. In her role as a healthcare advocate and as a family nurse practitioner, Hari has direct experience in navigating the healthcare system in order to find patients the best possible healthcare.

Undiagnosed Documentary

Undiagnosed Documentary

Dr. Katia Moritz – Creator & Co-Director
Katia Moritz, Ph.D., ABPP is a psychologist in the States of Florida and Utah, and is Board Certified in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology. She is the co-founder and Clinical Director of the NeuroBehavioral Institute and has dedicated her life to treating severe and debilitating anxiety disorders in children and adults. In August of 2010 Dr. Moritz underwent a routine endoscopy and woke up with an unknown syndrome. After seeing doctors all over the country at various facilities, she is still completely undiagnosed. In her search for help she encountered a world of patients and families that are as desperate for answers as she is. The glaring need to foster awareness of this issue has inspired her to do something to initiate change. She created this documentary based on the stories of these patients, their doctors and the medical system that struggles to service them.
Nicholas Miller – Director
Crystal Shearman – Producer

Nicholas and Crystal are a husband/wife team that have owned and operated Crowbait Pictures, a boutique production company, since 2008. Originally based out of Vancouver, Canada, Crowbait Pictures has recently moved to Park City, Utah. They specialize in developing up-start productions with new and emerging talent in formats ranging from short films, web-series and music videos, to television pilots and feature films. Crowbait Pictures has rendered services for a tremendous number of Vancouver feature films and commercials, and has a particular passion for human interest documentaries.