When I was a child, I was diagnosed with and survived a severe case of spinal meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the central nervous system--the brain and spine--caused by bacterial infection, commonly by Haemophilus influenzae type B, resulting in brain damage, loss of neurological function, or death. I know that it was a very stressful month in the hospital for my family. I wasn't conscious for much of it.
Later in life, as a conservation scientist I became a mentor for the Smith Fellows Program, a wonderfully innovative postdoctoral fellowship for the brightest and most creative young conservation scientists that allows them to "think outside the box" . The program was founded by Dr. David Hamilton Smith, the man who developed the vaccine for spinal meningitis.
This is the inspiring story of his generous, visionary life.
(I love that the film ends with an open view of the big blue Atlantic Ocean)
"He wanted to change the world for children, that was his passion."
"He was a person who had a lot of faith in science and people to make the world a better place. He had that faith partly because he did it himself."
Produced & Directed by Alice Apley & David Tames
Executive Producers: Debra Moniz & Martin Teitel
Editors: Jean Dunoyer, Alice Apley & David Tames
Assistant Editor: Kathtyn Fuss
Cinematography & Location Sound: David Tames & Edward Slattery
Music: Tom Phillips & Tom Martin
Pastel Animation: Kara Nasdor Jones
(c) The Cedar Tree Foundation, All Rights Reserved.
