To my family, friends, colleagues and supporters,

We are finally here. The final stage of creating a documentary that will change the way the world views life, death, youth, ALS, and the stigma of disability. It is within our reach, but we urgently need your help.

The generosity we have felt from supporters like you, from across the globe, has been phenomenal. We now need corporate support to bring this project to fruition, and we are again asking for your help.

Please support the film by approaching your place of business, businesses you patronize, or with which you have contacts, and let them know we are seeking corporate funding. All contributions made through NYFA are tax-deductible and the need is URGENT. The elephant in the room is speaking to us, and his words ring true. "Time is running out."

Completing this film is beyond important. It is my life's work, and the legacy I want to leave my son. The son I cannot hug, kiss, or tuck into bed each night. It is all I have to give him now, and he deserves it.

For me, for Sean, and for anyone who has ever felt the pain of love and loss, please help now. As always, your love and support is appreciated beyond words.

Peace,
Patrick

http://www.patrickobrienfoundation.org/0/EWBOK_trailer.mov

Trailler Credits:
Cinematography, Steadi-cam and HD by Ian Dudley
Edit & Audio design by Khoa Ngo
Produced, Directed & Written by Patrick O'Brien
Co-Produced by Marcia Mohudiuini

Disabled Filmmaker Patrick O'Brien Turns 34, Film Nears Completion

Online:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1429774.htm

Patrick O'Brien, aka "Transfatty", turns 34 this week, but he won't be blowing out any candles. From his hospital bed, the controversial filmmaker quietly celebrates his 34 years with family and friends, as well as the near completion of his life's work.

Silver Spring, MD (PRWEB) October 7, 2008 — On the occasion of his 34th birthday, Patrick O'Brien is not only happy to be alive, he is beaming over the near completion of his first major film.

Only a few years ago, Patrick, then known as the wildly outrageous "Transfatty" to the New York City creative underground, could not have imagined a more perfect or compelling story line. Always fascinated with the disabled (his short film "Deep in the Heart of Nexus" chronicles a young disabled woman getting dressed), he had long searched for a story like his own. At age 34, he never thought he would be on the opposite side of the camera, much less that he would be enjoying it.

Patrick began to chronicle his terminal illness in the fall of 2006, just months after receiving his ALS diagnosis. Leaving the high paying world of commercial directing wasn't easy, but necessary to focus on his life's work: a feature length documentary about the disease. ALS, commonly referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease", aggressively kills motor neuron cells in the body causing paralysis and eventual death, with the average lifespan being three to five years. Knowing time was in short supply, Patrick gathered his friends and other creatives to start documenting the disease as it unleashed itself upon Patrick's body, the film's moving canvas.

Currently in post production, the film will highlight all aspects of the disease with humor and grim honesty, something Patrick is well known for as a director. Controversies aside, Patrick hopes the film will get the attention of the media to spread the word about a disease which has little research funding. From protesting naked outside the White House in his wheelchair to having a true "love child", every step of his journey has been filmed, much of it captured on breathtaking 35mm film.

True to form, Patrick titled the upcoming film "Everything Will Be Okay…or How I Learned to Transcend Form, Live in the Now, and Make Love in My Electric Wheelchair." His ever loyal fans are looking forward to the new film, which will not fall far from the Transfatty tree. The man who gave them "Three breasted paraplegic DJ" and "Supermodel Meat Sports" would give them nothing less.

The moving trailer may be viewed at http://www.patrickobrienfoundation.org/0/EWBOK_trailer.mov.

"Everything Will Be Okay" is a fiscally sponsored program through the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).

About Patrick O'Brien:

Patrick O'Brien is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts film program in New York City. He currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland with his family while he completes his documentary.

Contact:
Laura Silverthorn, director of public relations
Patrick O'Brien Foundation
301-655-6262
http://www.pobf.org
http://www.transfatty.com

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Our friend & supporter, Michele, sent us these rockin' shots of a recent ALS fundraiser she & her friends participated in. They raised $100,000 towards a cure, along with hundreds of other brave Advocates, by plunging into the freezing Atlantic earlier this month. Thanks for wearing our tees Michele and representing POBF!

You can also check out a video Michele's friend made of the plunge at YouTube!

Hey! I was having my hair shampoo'd when the new issue of Faesthetic came in the mail. Issue #7, "DOOMSDAY", is put together by Dustin Hostetler and is 160 pages of mind-blowing illustrations, art and photography. Included in the collection is a photo from my White House protest.

For more info:
Think Faest

Do you want the good news, or the good news first? Okay, first the good news. On Christmas day I began the process of editing this 2 hour movie. Many gallons of coffee later [I’m on an I. V. now] and the movie is beginning to take shape. I can already feel its power as I painstakingly add each new shot. For the first time I am beginning to realize how the movie, in its final form, has the necessary ingredients to shift old mind-sets and move a wide audience in profound and unexpected ways. It’s an exciting new path we’re blazing, and for me, on a personal level, the fruition of years of work and the final stage in a process which has transformed me both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.

The work remaining on the movie is formidable and will extend into late 2008. As the work continues, so with it will the fundraising activities necessary to insure the movie continues on its course with no gaps or delays. I am therefore pleased to announce that NYFA (New York Foundation for the Arts) is our new fiscal sponsor. While they are not financially sponsoring the movie, by accepting us they are unburdening the Foundation of the day to day paperwork and freeing us to complete the movie. Their credits include the film “Boys don’t cry” and Spike Lee’s “She’s gotta have it”. If you have any questions, or would just like to say “hello”, my e-mail is: Patrick [at] Patrickobrienfoundation.org.

All the best,
Patrick O’Brien

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NYFA…from inspiration to art
The New York Foundation for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) public charity. All donations are fully tax-deductible according to U.S. law. To make an online contribution towards our mission to raise ALS awareness, click here.

We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our baby boy, Sean Patrick. Pink and screaming, he was suctioned out, giving him a cute little temporary Yamaka on the back of his head! Weighing in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces, the little monkey is very healthy, very handsome and very hungry! His legs are long, so we think he will be tall and his eyes are blue but they might turn brown. What else …. um….. Laura is recooperating nicely here where we live in Philadelphia. Oh and - this is the year of the golden pig, which only comes every 700 years, so, according to the people at Sezchuan Express, Sean should be set for life.

Watch Movie

In continuation of its on-going film series, Aarhus Gallery is proud to present filmmaker Patrick O'Brien's "Everything Will Be Okay", a series of excerpts from his upcoming documentary film "October5, 1974″.

Wednesday November 14
6:30pm

Åarhus Gallery
50 Main Street
Belfast, Maine 04915
207 338-0001
www.aarhusgallery.com

There will be a byob fund-raising party after the film. Donations of any amount will be welcome. 100% of the proceeds from this event will go to the Patrick O'Brien Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding ALS research and artists working creatively to raise awareness.

The Foundation is seeking an Editor. hello [at] patrickobrienfoundation.org