Special Blood

Natalie Metzger, a filmmaker with hereditary angioedema, sheds light on this rare blood disorder in her informative documentary. Due to a genetic mutation, those with the condition lack a protein that prevents swelling. Since it is hereditary, Metzger interviews parents and grandparents in addition to children and teenagers. And that includes her father, who feels some guilt for passing on the HAE gene. Due to minimal awareness, it takes an average of 10-15 years before patients receive a diagnosis, which can lead to unnecessary surgeries. Five-year-old Ava experiences swelling that can affect any part of her body, such as her eyelids or feet. Other subjects include 16-year-old Kelsie and 9-year-old Noah, both of whom enjoy physical activity, like football and dance. Left untreated, swelling episodes can lead to death, so access to emergency medical assistance is crucial. Both Noah and his mother, Nikia, have experienced swelling of the throat. After a particularly bad episode that included a hospital stay and intubation, Nikia spends the summer without much of a voice. Lora, who passed the disorder on to her daughters, didn't receive a diagnosis of HAE until she was 23. Lyndon, her youngest, died when the swelling in her throat interfered with her ability to breathe. In her name, Lora now advocates for greater awareness. According to Dr. Marc Riedl, there are three kinds of HAE, but doctors are still learning about the differences. More clinical trials would help, but the rarity of the disorder makes it a low priority. Hopefully, this documentary will help spur change. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (K. Fennessy)