Neonatal Abstinence Disorder is affecting far more children than previously thought.
(Mirror Daily, United States) – From time to time journalists, and future journalists in training have the opportunity of finding a subject that, once explored, will help save some lives. This is precisely the case of the four journalists involved in the “Recovery” documentary. The Tennessee University students will premiere a documentary on neonatal abstinence disorder this Thursday.
Four students of journalism under the protective wing of Nick Geidner, an assistant professor at the University and an award-winning documentary journalist, will premiere this Thursday a short documentary on neonatal abstinence disorder.
“Recovery” will bring light on a subject that has been ignored for far too long. The syndrome in question is common in babies delivered by drug-addicted mothers.
While there is no apparent pathology of the syndrome, the doctors have concluded that women who abuse illegal substances such as opioids, during their pregnancy will transmit the addiction to their babies.
In consequence, the newborn’s first experience in the new world is relapse. Due to insufficient research in this area, physicians are not sure on the exact symptoms that the babies are suffering, or an exhaustive list of the underlying reasons that lead to neonatal abstinence disorder.
Four Tennessee University students will premiere a documentary on neonatal abstinence this Thursday at the university’s auditorium.
Hannah Marley and Abby Bower are still undergraduate students. Nichole Stevens is a former pupil of Geidner. And Clint Elmore is a graduate that made a thesis project out of the documentary.
The four have spent months interviewing faith groups, service providers, mothers with severe addiction, hospital workers, and physicians.
They even managed to obtain an interview with Brittany Hudson, the women that set the precedent on fetal assault in 2014. Hudson is currently serving time after being charged with fetal assault under the new 2014 law. She was imprisoned after consuming illegal drugs while being pregnant, thus jeopardizing the life of her unborn baby.
According to Bower, the interview was a challenge for the team. She was the one doing it, so Bower felt nervous that her questions might be perceived as accusatory. But she carried on because some of her inquiries were only meant shed light on the issue.
Geidner has created a large project focused on philanthropic documentary at the Tennessee University. All students can participate in the outgoing projects as a form of extracurricular activity.
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