First 5 O.C. to host a screening of a movie about how we’re failing parent caregivers

SANTA ANA, Calif. – October 13, 2023 – First 5 Orange County is hosting a screening of the new documentary Unseen: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers & Why It Matters. 

The free screening will take place in person at 5:30 p.m. on October 19 at Reimagine, 1601 E St. Andrew Place, Santa Ana, followed by a panel discussion about this important topic moderated by Wendy Altamirano, Executive Director, Thompson Autism and Neurodevelopmental Center at CHOC.  

Panelists include:  

• Michael Weiss, VP Population Health, Children’s Hospital of Orange County
• Maura Byron, Executive Director, Family Support Network
• Ramin Baschshi, M.D., President & Chief Executive Officer, Unlimited Possibilities + Chair of Children and Families Commission
• Yvette Lavery, Member of Children and Families Commission

An estimated 16.8 million people in the U.S. are caring for a child with disabilities or complex medical needs. The demands of daily life and chronic stress can negatively affect the mental and physical wellbeing of parent caregivers. With limited accommodations and uncertainty about the future, caregivers often face isolation and exhaustion. In Unseen, parents are brutally honest about their experience, providing insight such as: “We’re just hanging on by a thread most of the time. The hardest part is that it’s nobody’s fault. It’s not our fault. It’s not his fault. It’s just part of our life.” 

Video diaries from diverse caregivers featured in the film illustrate the universality of the topics explored, while interviews with mental health and legal experts provide a broader view on the societal impacts. 

Click here to reserve your ticket. 

About the Film 

Unseen: How We’re Failing Parent Caregivers & Why It Matters exposes the challenges and barriers faced by many parents caring for disabled or medically complex children and adults, with the goal of increasing support and resources for caregiving families. Through the power of unfiltered, compelling stories, the Unseen documentary cultivates compassion and serves as a catalyst for change for the caregivers in our communities. Learn more at caregiverdoc.com. 

About First 5 Orange County 

First 5 Orange County’s vision is that all children reach their full potential. We invest in services that support early and ongoing health and development; a safe, stable and nurturing home; neighborhoods that support young children and families; and equitable distribution of resources. Funding is provided by a 50-cent tax on tobacco products sold in California. For more information, visit first5oc.org.