Advocacy
In a time when the failures of healthcare are coming under scrutiny, COMPLICATED tells the poignant story of kids with complex illness suffering at the margins of mainstream medicine--and their parents who risk losing them if they go too far to help. It is a shocking look at a hidden epidemic in pediatric care when complex disease, lack of research, and the limits of child protection collide.
Help Complicated Reach the Oscars - Your Support Makes a Difference
Imagine navigating a medical system that wasn’t designed for you. This is the reality for children with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and their families. Complicated tells their stories, and we believe it deserves an Oscar. With your help, we can bring it to the global stage.
An Oscar nomination would do more than recognize Complicated—it would bring critical awareness to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It would educate both the public and medical professionals, challenge the misconception that EDS is rare, and strengthen community support for those facing this isolating illness. It would also help reduce medical dismissal, which too often leads to wrongful claims of medical child abuse. Most importantly, it would drive much-needed improvements in patient care. But we can’t get there without you.
Your support is essential to making this impact a reality.
Help us to maximize real-world impact through helping this film reach the Oscars. A successful campaign will cost $75K.
*All donations will go directly to Complicated to support its Oscar campaign. The Norris Lab will not receive any funds.
Your donations help fund publicity and screenings to make sure academy members view the film, educational resources and discussion guides, and advocacy efforts to bring this film to the forefront.
Even small contributions add up. If everyone gave just $5—or even $2—we could make this campaign a reality.
How can you help?
You can donate to support Complicated as it campaigns for an Oscar nomination. We hope to bring global attention to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, combat medical dismissal, and protect families from wrongful child abuse claims. Every dollar helps us get there—no amount is too small. Together, we can make a difference.
The Norris Lab is working on multiple fronts to advocate for increased funding for EDS research and clinical care, better education for medical providers, and growing awareness of EDS and its comorbidities.
Alongside strong EDS patients, our work focuses on amplifying patient voices, improving access to resources, and fostering informed decision-making to improve patient care and health outcomes. By prioritizing patient-centered care in the treatment of EDS, we aim to create a more inclusive and equitable healthcare experience for all.
Community engagement is a top priority at the Norris Lab. Through podcasts, websites, news outlets, and other platforms, we actively raise EDS awareness and connect directly with the public. By sharing valuable resources and encouraging open dialogue, we work to foster equity, inclusivity, and transformative change in healthcare and beyond.
We recognize that meaningful change requires action at every level. Through legislative advocacy, we are dedicated to driving policy reforms that prioritize equity and inclusivity. By collaborating with policymakers and supporting initiatives that advance research and awareness, we strive to enhance healthcare outcomes and systems.
While EDS has gained recognition in recent years, there remains a significant gap in medical knowledge and understanding of the condition. This lack of awareness and expertise has profound consequences for patients living with EDS, impacting their diagnosis, treatment, and overall quality of life.
Understanding the Patient Experience
Due to the lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, individuals often spend years, sometimes decades, seeking answers to their unexplained symptoms, with an average time to diagnosis of 14 years. Once diagnosed, the lack of medical knowledge about EDS often leads to inadequate or inappropriate care. Many healthcare providers are unfamiliar with the specific needs of EDS patients and may inadvertently worsen their condition through poorly-informed treatment choices. This can lead to increased pain and disability, further eroding the patient's quality of life.
Living with a chronic, poorly understood condition like EDS can take a profound toll on a patient's mental health. The journey to diagnosis is often marked by frustration, doubt, and isolation. Patients may struggle to maintain relationships and employment due to their unpredictable symptoms, which can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness and depression. The emotional toll of living with an under-recognized and under-studied condition cannot be underestimated.
