He has a unique perspective. By the time I met him, I was dying to do the film. He's had some bad experiences with media. He was worried that he would be another, as he puts it, a 'Cripple of the Week' story. There are no teary journalists weeping over O'Brien, no sugarcoating or tampering with the ending.
Exploitation never enters the equation.
Issues of sex, disabled rights, media portrayals and dehumanization are honestly examined. The film also stresses the benefits of independent living. One scene depicting Mark's daily routine was snapped at a moment's notice. He was being washed and didn't want the cameras in there. Two minutes later, his attendant invites us in and Mark's lying there completely naked.