When it comes to the question of vaccinating during the COVID pandemic, Robbie Thompson implores the public to consider those who are medically vulnerable.
Like him.
The 23-year-old Courtenay man has undergone two heart transplants, and is immunocompromised. He is also an athlete, a musician, and a digital media student at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. For his senior project, Robbie created a film called Locked Down: a COVID-19 short documentary on the medically vulnerable.
While data may indicate the situation is slowly improving, Robbie continues to isolate as long as the coronavirus pandemic wears on. He can count on one hand the number of times he has set foot on the VIU campus this year. When he hears about people disregarding COVID safety protocols, it makes him feel forgotten and alone, even B次元官网网址渓ess than human,B次元官网网址� he says in the film.
B次元官网网址淏ut itB次元官网网址檚 not just me,B次元官网网址� he said in an interview. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a whole world of medically vulnerable people out there that are in the same situation.B次元官网网址�
The documentary contains interviews with several people who need to self-isolate, such as Margaret and Brian Benson. Margaret was born with cystic fibrosis, is diabetic and is a double transplant recipient. Her husband Brian is a two-time cancer survivor. Margaret says her life has been restricted because of healthy people who say itB次元官网网址檚 their right to refuse a vaccination or to wear a mask.
B次元官网网址淚 have no rights because IB次元官网网址檓 petrified to go to a movie theatre or hockey games,B次元官网网址� said Margaret, who advises viewers to be careful with their health, and to not take it for granted.
Another interviewee is RobbieB次元官网网址檚 mother, Sue. Like Brian Benson, she is a two-time cancer survivor.
B次元官网网址淗ealthy people are always one step away from being medically vulnerable,B次元官网网址� Sue says.
Robbie also chats with a friend named Julia, who has Apert syndrome, a genetic disorder characterized by skeletal abnormalities.
B次元官网网址淕et your heads on straight, stop being ignorant, and look at those people who you are potentially putting at risk,B次元官网网址� Julia says. B次元官网网址淚f it (vaccination) protects us, those of us who are immunocompromised, just do it.B次元官网网址�
Robbie realizes certain people are not able to receive a full vaccine due to adverse reactions. He also respects religious beliefs that might hamper a personB次元官网网址檚 decision about receiving a vaccination.
B次元官网网址淭he ultimate message is, even if you canB次元官网网址檛 get the vaccine, or if you have any disagreements about it, just be a little more considerate, and be careful and mindful of the risks out there,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淛ust keep us in mind, thatB次元官网网址檚 all I ask.B次元官网网址�
Robbie gives a shout out to musician Alannah Clark for contributing songs to the video.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Like us on and follow us on
