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‘Recovery’ documentary now available for free online viewing

Aug 25, 2017 | Entertainment

The documentary film “Recovery” (2016), directed and produced by West Seneca native Ryan Monolopolus of Monolopolus Productions, is now available for free via online streaming at https://filmfreeway.com/project/recoveryfilm.

The film, which test screened at the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts in March 2013, details the life-changing car accident Matthew Faulkner was a passenger in, his recovery from a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), and his life a few years later as a college student. Faulkner, also a West Seneca native, was in a coma for about six weeks but recovered beyond expectations. He walked out of the hospital after 103 days of treatment.

“If you do not know the story, this documentary chronicles the medical, social and spiritual recovery of Matt Faulkner after his traumatic brain injury and coma,” said Monolopolus. “Matt recovered from a situation many said was irreversible, and more than that, managed to walk out of the hospital on his own two feet. Matt was a friend of mine in high school, and through the accident we became closer — and I can proudly say he is still one of my best friends today. An inspiration to me then and now, I was encouraged to make this film to help share his story with the world.”

Faulkner, who today is an auditor at a local division of NRG Energy, Inc., graduated from Canisius College in 2013 with a degree in economics and finance. “I like to note that I walked across the stage at my college graduation less than four years after walking out of the hospital,” stated Faulkner. “Today, I really enjoy being able to give presentations to groups about my perspective on TBI therapy and recovery itself. I speak to a group of physical therapy students about the process each year. I think it is a great opportunity to answer their questions – I really want to use this experience to make a positive contribution to TBI rehabilitation.”

Faulkner and local writer Joe Kirchmyer also published a book in 2013, “Most Likely to Survive,” which takes a journalistic approach in detailing Faulkner’s accident, recovery and life today.

Faulkner and Monolopolus both hope that making the film available to a wider audience will positively impact the local community. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/MattFaulkner2013.

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