My Flesh and Blood

My Flesh and Blood is a heartfelt and powerful 2003 documentary film featuring the lives of Susan Tom, her eleven adopted special needs children including Anthony Tom and Faith Tom, and their daily experiences. The film, directed by Jonathan Karsh, captures the strength of familial love in the face of adversity and societal stereotypes.

The film begins in Fairfield, California, in the ordinary yet extraordinary household of Susan Tom. As a single mother, Susan has opened her home and heart to children who, due to their severe disabilities and illnesses, were abandoned or left in foster care. Two of her children, Anthony and Faith, play significant roles in the film. This movie provides a raw, unfiltered view into their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs; diving into moments of happiness, heartbreak, frustration, and love.

Anthony is a teenager dealing with a rare skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa, causing blisters to form on his skin and internal organs, making him extremely susceptible to infections. Despite this, his resilience, spirit, and humor shine through, demonstrating an inspiring attitude towards life. Leading an extremely sensitive and painful life, he offers viewers a perspective on hardship and how one can embrace life joyfully despite the odds.

Faith, another of Susan's children, suffers from a disorder known as Epidermolysis Bullosa. Due to bone deformities, she is bound to a wheelchair and uses a computer to communicate. Despite her physical limitations, Faith is intelligent, capable, and filled with a remarkable zest for life. Her journey throughout the film showcases her growing independence and refusal to let her disability define her.

Susan Tom, the central figure of the film, emerges as an extraordinary character. She is seen to embody unconditional love, fierce resilience, and an untiring commitment to providing a nurturing environment for her children. She steps into roles varying from primary caregiver to medical nurse, from educator to counselor, from disciplinarian to comforter. This film highlights Susan's humanity, her profound love for all her children, and how she has chosen to dedicate her life to them.

Interwoven into these primary narratives are glimpses into the lives of Susan's other children, each with their unique challenges and abilities. This varying tapestry of lives provides audiences with a keen insight into what it means to be a family.

My Flesh and Blood is not simply a documentary about disability; it is a film about humanity. It challenges societal norms and stereotypes about families while showcasing the boundless capacity of the human spirit. The film encourages conversation and thought about themes such as family, disability, compassion, resilience, and love, making it a touchstone for sociological and psychological discussions.

The cinematography of the film is brilliantly handled, as it captures both the mundane and the profound moments in the Tom family's life. The shots are sensitive, sometimes raw, but always respectful, allowing the stories to shine through without any artificial enhancements.

My Flesh and Blood won accolades at the Sundance Film Festival, grabbing the Audience Award and the Director’s Award, a testament to its emotional resonance and honest storytelling. It continues to be screened across various platforms, strongly resonating with audiences worldwide.

This critically acclaimed documentary offers a portal into the Tom family’s life, causing audiences to both laugh and cry, often in the span of a single scene. It is a testament to the strength of familial bonds, and how love can transcend even the most profound challenges, reminding us all about the true meaning of family.

In conclusion, My Flesh and Blood is a warm, humanistic documentary that beautifully portrays toughness, tenderness, and the everyday trials and triumphs of a unique family. A film that strikes a deep emotional chord, it serves as an epitome of love, providing a peek into the human spirit, resilience and an unconventional family's heartening journey.