Highlighting the unseen realities of living with multiple long-term conditions
We are pleased to showcase a short film developed as part of the Me, Myself, and my (IN)visible CondItions through a GeNder EyeGlass (M2NING) project which aims to shed light on the often-unseen experiences of people living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC).
Through visual art, the film brings to life the everyday challenges faced by people managing multiple health conditions. It explores issues such as navigating healthcare systems, coping with changes to identity and wellbeing, and dealing with misunderstanding or judgement from others.
Led by Dr Antoneta Granic from the AGE Research Group and funded by a NIHR Biomedical Research Centre: Newcastle bursary, the M2NING project brought together public contributors with researchers and visual artists from Newcastle University, to explore the lived experiences of people with MLTC through a gender-informed lens.
The two-minute film was created by Petra Szemán, Lecturer in Fine Art at Newcastle University. Drawing on extracts from the Mass Observation Archive, the film transforms personal accounts from people living with or supporting someone living with multiple long-term conditions, into a powerful visual narrative.
The Mass Observation testimonies were gathered through a directive commissioned by the ADMISSION Research Collaborative, led by Dr Sue Bellass (read more about this work here), and provide valuable insight into the realities of life with MLTC. Through animation, these experiences are brought to a wider audience in an engaging and accessible way.
Petra said:
"As someone living with multiple long-term conditions myself, navigating healthcare can feel like a full-time job. There is a constant tension between wanting your condition to be recognised and understood, while also feeling uncomfortable with the attention it can attract.
We also see important gender differences. For example, women may seek medical help more readily than men, yet often feel their concerns are not taken as seriously. These experiences shaped the animation and informed the stories it tells."
By highlighting the hidden challenges faced by people living with MLTC, the M2NING project aims to increase understanding, encourage conversation and promote more inclusive approaches to healthcare and research.
We hope the film will help raise awareness of the complexity of living with MLTC and inspire further efforts to create supportive environments both within Newcastle University and beyond.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/0mYwU_0hutQ