Neuro Note: The Fundamentals of Caring

     The movie The Fundamentals of Caring is a humorous but informative movie about an 18 year-old boy with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), Trevor, and his new caregiver, Ben. Both Ben and Trevor are sarcastic and snarky, so at times they butt heads, but they are usually able to joke with each other and play pranks. The movie shows much of what goes into being a caregiver, as well as what it is like to be the person who is cared for, which includes some not-so-fun parts such as helping someone in a wheelchair use the restroom. We, as the audience, also get a glimpse into what Trevor’s mom, Elsa, must go through to ensure her son is safe with a caregiver while she is at work.

     I chose to watch The Fundamentals of Caring for this assignment because it looked like a good movie (plus it was on Netflix, which I’m already paying for, so that helps). I am so glad I picked this movie, as it was a funny and honest look into DMD and caregiving. I also looked up more information about DMD after watching the movie because I became interested in the condition. According to a website about rare diseases, the condition typically becomes noticeable around ages 3 or 4, which is why Trevor's father left when Trevor was about 3. It also stated that some people with DMD, on top of the progressive muscular weakness, may also have an effect on the individual's cognition. While Trevor is pretty "typical" cognitively, he does have anxiety attacks sometimes, which likely stem from DMD. 

     This movie helped remind me that people are more than just a disability, condition, or illness, and they still have their own personality. One thing that I thought about was how the person I picture as an “ideal” caregiver (kind, caring, compassionate, etc.) could very well not be a good match for someone like Trevor, who has a darker personality and sense of humor. Similarly, Ben would also maybe not be the best caregiver for someone who is more timid. This made me realize how difficult it could be for a parent or guardian to find a caregiver for their child (or whoever needs caring for), because you would certainly want the person and the caregiver to have a healthy relationship since they are likely together most of the day.

     I had heard of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy before seeing this movie and had a rough idea of what it was, but I know much more now after watching the movie and looking into it further. As long as you don't mind some strong language, I would highly recommend this movie, as it is entertaining and can also teach you a lot about DMD and what it can be like to be a caregiver.

References:

Burnett, R. (Director), Burnett, R., Gigliotti, D., & Spies, J. (Producers), & Burnett, R.(Writer). (2016). The 
     fundamentals of caring [Motion picture on Netflix]. United States: Worldwide Pants & Levantine Films.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy. (2017, September 28). Retrieved April 06, 2018, 
     from https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6291/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy