About this project
The name is confusing.The pain is real. The consequences — devastating. Borderline Personality Disorder, a mental illness that has been swept under the rug for far to long, is now coming to the forefront.
Amanda Wang's battle to become a boxer, overcome her disability and confront public stigma will serve as the first documentary to delve inside the reality of those living with this disorder. After two months on the psychiatric floor of New York Presbyterian Hospital, Amanda Wang, officially diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, now fights to create a life worth living. With no experience in the ring, Amanda tries to prove her own worth by chasing down her long-held dream of becoming a Golden Gloves boxer. From the therapist's couch to the boxer's ring, we will follow Amanda as she rebuilds her life and identity — all while struggling with the reality of her mental illness.
So, What is BPD Anyway?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) has been a misunderstood, misdiagnosed and under-treated mental illness, with a suicide rate that is 50 times the national average. At the heart of Borderline Personality Disorder — and what makes it so explosive — is the sufferers' inability to calibrate their feelings and behavior. This becomes the driving force behind intense episodes of anger, despair, desperate fears of abandonment, impulsive behavior, self-injury and suicide. For more information about BPD visit http://neabpd.org.
What We are Doing & Why You Should Care
RethinkBPD has teamed up with documentary filmmaker, Jesse Sweet, to produce the film THE FIGHT WITHIN US. With your help, 16 million Americans with Borderline Personality Disorder will be touched by our story, helping them find their own great fight within. By pledging today, we can help end the stigma and discrimination that continues to persist despite effective treatment options.
With a fully funded Kickstarter campaign, RethinkBPD will be able to purchase the camera and equipment necessary for production. Once we have the camera in our hands, RethinkBPD will not only chronicle Amanda's quest towards the Golden Gloves, but also document countless of others who continue to struggle, survive and thrive with BPD, posting it up on our website for all to learn and understand from.
What You'll Get if You Pledge
Join us for the next 60 days on a journey of discovery, training and learning. In addition to all the cool rewards on the right, you'll receive exclusive access to Kickstarter-only vlogs and personal updates. Plus get an exclusive sneak preview of the first profile for the "Faces of BPD." To see what our rewards actually look like, click on the "Update" tab above.
So How Does this Funding Thing Work and How Do I Get My Reward?
Every Kickstarter project must be fully funded before its time expires or no money or rewards change hands. That means if you want a t-shirt, a DVD, your name in the credits as Associate Producer or other reward, we have to have enough pledges that add up to $10,000. Be sure to tell all your friends and have them pledge so we can meet our $10k minimum requirement in order for you to get your reward! Any other questions feel free to read the FAQ page or send me a message. Thanks!
Check us out at the following places:
http://thefightwithinus.com
http://twitter.com/rethinkbpd
Credits:
Jesse Sweet, Director
Jessica Reynolds, Editor
Special thanks to
Dena Agapion, LCSW
Petey "Kid Chocolate" Quillin
Mike Scott
Trinity Boxing Club
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
179
Backers
$10,698
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 31, 2010.
Pledge $1 or more
Show your solidarity and create a movement! Your $1 pledge will help us send a bold statement to the mental health community: we have a voice! You'll receive our eternal thanks and a shout out in twitterverse!
Pledge $5 or more
Receive a sticker and postcard package for you to plaster around and post up at your own discretion: local coffee shops, skate shops, community centers — even drop it off at your doctor's office! Take a picture, send it back and we'll post it up on our Flickr feed!
Pledge $12 or more
You'll receive a digital download of the film when it becomes available. Even better than the movies — you take it wherever your laptop goes!
Pledge $25 or more
Receive your very own "The Fight Within Us" American Apparel t-shirt, sure to become your favorite tee! Take a picture and we'll post it up on our Flickr feed! Plus the digital download.
Pledge $50 or more
A special edition DVD will be sent to you when it becomes available. You'll also receive a Muji journal that's filled with personalized, hand-written ideas, quotes, and thoughts from Amanda to help you keep your eye on the prize and start your own remarkable revolution. Plus the digital download.
Pledge $100 or more
Receive a 14" x 20" The Fight Within Us Poster. Hang it in your gym, in your office, in your bedroom — anywhere you need that extra motivation. Plus the t-shirt and digital download.
Pledge $100 or more
Are you a therapist, organization, research group, hospital or other kind of business with a specialization in Borderline Personality Disorder? Receive a "Sponsored in Part by" resource listing on our website with description, city, and link.
Pledge $200 or more
Receive 1 hour introductory boxing session with the best trainers at Trinity Boxing Club in NYC or Los Angeles! Also receive the option of sharing your story with Amanda on a personal, 30 minute Skype or phone call. If you want, she'll write about it on our website (can be anonymous). Plus the t-shirt, digital download and the sticker/postcard package.
Pledge $500 or more
Yep, you know it. Receive all of the above!
Pledge $1,000 or more
Receive a special listing in the film's credits as "Our People's Champion." Plus all items above.
Pledge $3,000 or more
Receive a special listing in the film's credits as "Associate Producer." Plus all items above.
Pledge $5,000 or more
Amanda will travel anywhere within the continental United States to meet you for dinner or if you'd like, I'll present a talk and show a sample of our documentary speaking about her experience with Borderline Personality Disorder. Of course, you get all of the above as well.
Project By
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RethinkBPD is producing a documentary, website and social movement to fulfill the need for an honest and in-depth conversation about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Using the different avenues in journalism and social media, RethinkBPD establishes new ways to diminish stigma, advance research, and promote the most effective treatments for BPD.
