i am currently

directing and producing

my first feature length

documentary...

I was extremely inspired to tell this story and bring awareness to the silent epidemic of traumatic brain injury in domestic violence. 

In contemporary society, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and Chronic Traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) conjure up several stark images – American football, highlight hits, a downward spiral into depression and dementia, rage and tragically, suicide. There is also an emerging and frightening realization that repeated concussions have an enduring and potentially devastating effect on our children who participate in contact sport and on our men and women in uniform. 

What has largely escaped notice is the silent epidemic of TBI in women and children who are victims of domestic violence (DV). Domestic violence is a major public health epidemic, a social crisis, and a private nightmare for millions of women, children and families. Considering 1 in 4 American women, (30% of women over the age of 15 worldwide), have experienced severe violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, we are way past due for a serious national conversation. To reinforce that DV is an epidemic, consider that the number of American troops killed in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2012 was 6,488. The number of American women murdered by their current or ex male partner during that same time was 11,766. This staggering number does not include the millions of women who were living with or survived intimate partner violence (IPV). 

THIS HITS HOME , a new one hour documentary for national television and digital streaming services, will bring light to the neurobiology and sequelae of TBI in those experiencing DV, educate victims and the public on the devastating permanent brain damage that results and call for more adequate therapeutic and social intervention to help bring an end to this tragedy. 

FIND OUT MORE AT: ThisHitsHome.com

STATUS:

So far, I have filmed interviews in Los Angeles, Boston, and many cities in Arizona. My hope is to complete the interviewing phase of filming by the end of July. I have been speaking to domestic violence survivors who have willingly shared their inspiring stories, leading neurologists and neuropathologists who are experts in concussion, CTE, and Alzheimer's disease, as well as state prosecutors. I am excited to share this project and bring awareness to this important epidemic.