Recently, I was working with The Edward King House Senior Center, The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) and Age-Friendly Rhode Island to bring an invitation-only screening of the film Involuntary and a panel discussion to Newport. While this screening has been postponed, one thing became clear to me: many people don’t know what an involuntary discharge is. If you’re aging yourself or helping to care for an aging parent, this is something worth understanding.
For the filmmakers, Dana White and Chris Knoblock the film represents a piece of art, a telling of a story that while extreme, is not impossible. It represents one end of the spectrum of what an involuntary discharge can look like and can be difficult to watch for that reason. White and Knoblock were scheduled to be a part of our panel discussion and when I asked why they chose to tell this story, White shared:
“We use cinema not simply to tell our stories, but to invite reflection, empathy, and awareness. Many of the films we write focus on themes of aging and the treatment of older adults. We hope that Involuntary can help encourage thoughtful conversations about how best to care for older adults in our communities. It’s an important conversation to have and one that touches all of us at some point in our lives.”
While the screening offers a powerful starting point for conversation, it represents just one point on a much broader spectrum. Involuntary discharges happen daily across our state and the country with effects that range from temporary disruption to profound displacement…