Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a debilitating, degenerative, neuromuscular disorder that affects two in every 100,000 people worldwide. Its first symptoms usually appear in childhood … read moreand adolescence, and can be overlooked as normal age-related behaviours. These include: fatigue, scoliosis, diabetes, difficulty speaking and maintaining balance, visual and hearing impairment or cardiovascular problems. Friedreich and I's goal is to give visibility and raise awareness about the reality experienced by patients with Friedreich's Ataxia (FA). An awareness campaign, created by VML THE COCKTAIL for Biogen, a leading global biotechnology company, in collaboration with patient associations and scientific societies. ‘Friedreich and I’ is a film inspired by the stories of thousands of patients living with this disorder, which leverages a child’s imagination to reveal the harsh reality of a hidden disease. In the film, a young girl meets Friedreich, a furry creature who initially seems to be a childhood imaginary friend, but who soon starts to make daily life a constant challenge. We see how the girl grew up, eventually discovering that the furry character is Friedreich's Ataxia, which has remained invisible to everyone except her.
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