The Story

My name is Jaimie Killen. I am the owner and operator of Heartwood Media, located in Nelson, British Columbia.

Kristin Ditzel is my best friend of twenty years. Prior to March 16, 2021, she was an active mom of three teenagers, running her own full-time Chinese Medical practice. Well-known in our small town as a compelling, electric professional in her field, Kristin cared deeply for her patients and her work. It was for the love of these patients that she chose to go in early for her Covid vaccination. 

At the peak of the pandemic, as fear was rising high – it was important to Kristin to be there for the people regularly relying on her for healthcare needs. Often treating the elderly and vulnerable, she was committed to providing them with the safest space possible. 

On March 16, 2021 Kristin went in to receive her first Covid vaccine and within 25 minutes began having a severe anaphylactic-like reaction.

She was taken to hospital, treated and released, yet continued to experience debilitating symptoms the following day and for several weeks after. Weeks turned into months, and nearly three years later she has not yet recovered. She struggles to remain hopeful as her health continues to be in question.

The Journey Since

Diagnosed with an auto-immune disease of her brain, Kristin has not worked a day since her injury. Her overall symptoms include severe migraines, blurred vision, an uneven gait, convulsions, joint pain, spinal pain, irregular heart rate, brain fog/memory loss, hair loss, extreme sensitivity to sound and light, non-reactive seizures, frozen jaw, loss of speech, and more.

Understanding what is happening to Kristin’s body has been troublesome. Physicians and medical professionals seem unable to make sense of her ailments. Each test conducted has come back “inconclusive”, and her body continues to fail her. There is no research or information to access regarding these injuries and we are afraid, confused, and unsure how to proceed.

As we’ve searched for answers, we have found others with similar injuries. Discovering this group has been life-changing for Kristin and myself.  The more we connect with them the deeper our love grows.

From this, our journey to create change has emerged. 

The Film & Impact 

Together, myself and Nathan Beninger have been filming Kristin by phone, GoPro, and camera for over a year now and have compiled 200+ hours of footage.

In order to move into further production, we must travel to various countries and gather stories on the road. The funds accrued will be put towards travel, production, post-production, equipment, administration, and more.

We’re raising initial funding of $75,000 to bring Kristin’s story, and others like her, to the mainstream. 

These stories are important to us, and bringing them to life through film is what drives us. Allowing the world to see and understand what Kristin and others have endured is essential. 

Without acknowledging the conditions and consequences of what has occurred, we are doomed to repeat them.

Where will the funds go?

Here’s a general breakdown of our intention with the funds. The more we raise, the more we can pour into additional interviews and post-production polish. 

Beyond Conspiracy To Compassion

Being a part of this project means being a part of the change. By allowing these stories to be heard, we are paving the path for a warmer, more compassionate future where there is willingness to look at all pieces of humanity. 

These stories are real. They are a part of our world. They belong to sisters, brothers, parents, grandparents, children… Without acknowledgement, they will continue to be alone together, struggling to search for proper medical care.  

Sharing this story is about allowing the world to understand the damage of those left behind during an already significantly trying time. Every person injured by this vaccine is a person who has carried with them the best of intentions; to be there for their communities. Yet somehow, they have been forgotten by the very people they hoped to protect.

Contributing to this documentary means giving them a voice, recognizing their endeavours, and offering them hope. It means allowing them to be seen.  

The Production Team
 

NATHAN BENINGER – DIRECTOR

Nathan Beninger is a respected local filmmaker and owner of Film Our Path Media in Nelson, B.C. He has photographed and filmed various projects all over the world, the majority being documentaries in several countries throughout Latin America. His ability to tell stories and visually bring an audience into a subject’s life and passions is unmatched.

JAIMIE KILLEN – PRODUCER

Jaimie Killen is the owner of Heartwood Media, a multi-media company based out of Nelson, B.C. Heartwood focuses primarily on photography, graphic design, and film. Jaimie is passionate about embracing emotion to create meaningful and impactful stories.

Other Ways You Can Help

Thank you for reading this far! Beyond directly contributing to the campaign, you can help by doing any of the following:

• Share this campaign on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #invisiblefencesfilm
• Email friends, family and co-workers about this campaign.
• Follow us on Instagram (coming soon) to get the most up-to-date news & promotions regarding the campaign.

And, we’d love to hear from you! Leave us a message and keep the conversation going.

Final Thoughts

Kristin’s story will be a visually compelling film that brings the audience into the lives of some courageous survivors unseen during the pandemic.

This is a story of loss, uncertainty, hope, and finding light within a wave of darkness. With over 30 years of experience and collective knowledge, our team is eager to bring this tale to life to create a film that will cast a deep and impactful impression on the hearts of all.

This project is close to my heart. I am a firm believer that in truth, there is freedom. And with compassion, love, and acceptance, we can change for the better. Please help us continue to build this heartfelt, and powerful creation.