Wipe Out
By Lionel Goddard
National Film Board of Canada

Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability for men under the age of 35. Narrated by Olympic gold snowboarder Ross Rebagliati, Wipe Out tells the story of three young men living with permanent brain damage as the result of head injuries they suffered pursuing extreme sports. Chris Dufficy, a professional snowboarder, is coming to terms with ongoing memory problems resulting from multiple concussions and a traumatic brain injury he suffered when he crashed after landing a monstrous jump for a film shoot. Jon Gocer dreamed of following in Chris’s tracks until a skateboard wipe-out almost ended his life — and did wipe out most of his memory. Jon struggles to discover his new identity while having to relearn the most basic life skills.

Chris Tutin’s doctors said he would never walk again after his cerebellum was crushed in a dirt-bike accident. Like Chris and Jon, he is sharing his story hoping that it will encourage kids to wear helmets, and avoid reckless risk-taking. Wipe Out offers viewers unprecedented insight into the lives of people who are part of what some doctors have called an invisible epidemic.

50 minutes
© 2008
Purchase $248.00 DVD
Order No. QA-517
ISBN (DVD) 1-57295-517-1

Reviews
"Recommended!" Educational Media Reviews Online

"Despite their nearly fatal injuries and long struggles to heal, these three thrill-seekers still long to return to exciting downhill plunges. Researchers hope that increasing understanding of the young male mind will change the way society sanctions risk-taking sports. Meanwhile, this film is a provocative and effective tool." Cathi Dunn MacRae, Youth Today

Awards & Conference Screenings
2010 ALA Notable Children's Video
Yorkton Film Festival,
Best Documentary Science/Medicine
Superfest International Disability Film Festival,
Merit Award
DOXA, Documentary Film Festival
2013 Sprout Film Festival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Related Films
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Mister Spazzman: At 40, Robert Goldsborough fell out of a tree and broke his neck, becoming a quadriplegic. A professional musician before the accident, he expresses his frustrations and passions through the songs he writes using a voice-activated computer. While his faith and his musical partnership with David grow deeper, his relationship with Diane is seriously challenged…

Pushin' Forward: Growing up poor and Latino, James Lilly was a gang member and drug dealer until, at fifteen, he was shot in the back and paralyzed. Today, he shares his story with inner city kids, and tells them about one thing that helped him move on — wheelchair racing. In Pushin’ Forward he takes on the world’s longest wheelchair race, from Fairbanks to Anchorage, Alaska, in six days!

When the Brain Goes Wrong: Portraits of individuals with brain dysfunctions including schizophrenia, manic depression, epilepsy, stroke, head injury, headaches and addiction. Physicians add information about causes and treatments.

Luckey: From trying to re-spark his romantic life with his wife Ettie to keeping his work going with his son Spencer, Tom Luckey wrestles with his new condition as a paralyzed person.

To rent or purchase this film, please visit the Icarus Films website

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