Film Festival Brings Attention to Traumatic Brain Injuries with Blue Cross Blue Shield’s "BeSmart.BeWell." Videos

Richardson, TX. — Two videos featuring the lives of people living with the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) will be screened for the first time at the 2011 Sprout Film Festival  this weekend.  The sold out screenings hope to bring awareness to what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) calls one of the most undiagnosed conditions in the country.  The two new videos were created as part of a public awareness campaign called "Be Smart. Be Well.  " by Health Care Service Corporation  (HCSC) which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans in Illinois  , New Mexico  , Oklahoma  and Texas.

The CDC estimates that TBI affect about 1.7 million people each year.  These documentary-style videos take an in-depth look at the personal journeys of Jerry and Josh, whose lives have been permanently changed by a TBI. Both tell the story of their struggle to rebuild their lives as they come to terms with living with a brain injury, rather than recovering from it.  Theirs are the first films about TBI to be shown at the Sprout Film Festival and the first programs ever to sell out at the event.

"The Sprout Film Festival showcases films featuring people with a variety of developmental disabilities to give an accurate portrayal of the issues facing this population," said Anthony Di Salvo, executive director of the Sprout Film Festival.  "By presenting films of artistry and intellect, the festival strives to create an enjoyable and enlightening experience that will help breakdown stereotypes, and promote a greater acceptance of differences and awareness of similarities."

Held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, the festival runs from April 29 to May 1, and will include 50 unique films from 50 different countries.  HCSC’s videos can be viewed at BeSmartBeWell.com/TBI  . 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas -- the only statewide, customer-owned health insurer in Texas — is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with nearly 40,000 physicians and 400 hospitals to serve 4.6 million members in all 254 counties.  Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is a Division of Health Care Service Corporation (which operates Blue Cross Blue Shield plans in Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma and New Mexico), the country’s largest customer-owned health insurer and fourth largest health insurer overall.  Health Care Service Corporation is a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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