I'm Brianna Couture

My five and three yo sons have Mito and FODs, both metabolic disorders. After being forced into this unknown world because of a metabolic crisis that almost killed my oldest (glucose level down to 38 where

Your video is amazing! It shows people that they need to look beyond the outer frame to know what is really going on insie. You are a very brave and motivated young lady. Congratulations on spreading the word about your disease. Good luck!

Dear Brianna,

Your video is awesome and makes a grand statement to the non-mito world. Our outer appearances do not define our health.

I went through years of drs telling me "you don't look sick. Your symptoms are a figment of your imagination." Some of the medical profession's disbelief stung to the very core. I had to prove I was sick and it was hard when tests kept coming back normal. But armed with my Mitochondrial Disease diagnosis, I began educating those who gave me the stares and glares when I got out of my car in the handicapped zone, "Who said you could park there?" I'd smile and say, "My doctor did. Ever hear of Mito?"

I will be adding your video to my website: www.heartbeatsformito.org -so that others may gain awareness through your message.

Thank you for educating the world with your voice.
God Bless You.

Ann Eide

Hey Brianna,
You are so brave on putting you story on the web. I feel your pain and suffering. You are correct though, not everyone is perfect in this world. Some of us do have a disability. Just because normal people think that we can walk or do things like normal people, we are not all normal people. Take me for example. I have Aspherger's Syndrome which is that I view things differently and outside the box than what normal people would think. Sometimes when I speak, I have a hard time saying them and what I do say, sometimes might not come clear to other people. I couldn't speak until I was 5 years old. The only way I could speak was by ASL. You are a brave young lady and I want you to live the best life that you can live. You have touched my heart and I want to thank you for that.

Mike DiMauro

Wow.. This is what media should be about.. I'm humbled..

I really really enjoyed that pod. Wow!

Great treatment, great story, glad this got picked up for air.

I can't believe I missed this. This was a great pod and a wonderful message from a very powerful young woman. It's too late, but you still get my GL.

Brianna -

This was so powerful and effective. What a beautiful way to explain something people can't always "see." We are proud of you. Keep up the good work! Leigh

Hi Brianna,

I thought this was awesome. I have a 28 month old son who has been diagnosed with a mild partial mito deficiency. I have had DOCTORS tell me he is too healthy looking to have this disorder. So I understand how you feel. Good luck getting the word out. I will do what I can.

Wendy

Brianna

I already posted once but wanted to post again. I have tried to greatly publicize your video because I am so impressed with what you have done. I put it on our website www.caringbridge.org/tn/wells and my myspace page and emailed it to a few hundred people. I just wanted to tell you that I went on Oprah's site and asked them to go and view your video and hopefully they will contact you...may be a long shot but I believe in you and IF they go to see it, I am SURE they will feel the way we all do!
Thank you again for what you have done!
deb/orah
mom to Andrew 07.04.96-05.26.03
Mitochondrial Disease

The irony you present in your pod is fascinating. Just think: the people who snarl at the “seemingly healthy” people parking in handicap spots, are truly thinking that they are actually advocating FOR the disabled. This is a sober reminder of just how cruel our disability ignorance can be. And if you look hard enough, you can see it everywhere: on the street, in our schools, in Congress, and in ourselves. Brianna, by sharing the lessons you and your family have learned the hard way, I know you will always succeed in opening the eyes and hearts of others. Our society is hurting for more visionaries like you-- to pry our eyes open, but also to remind us to look with more than our eyes.

Hi Brianna,
You and your family have been an inspiration to me ever since I first met you , Brett and your mom, in your home a few years ago. I wanted to see the 'face' of mito disease. I was in awe of your intellect, verbosity, and overall passion for life. I also remember how you had to take naps frequently, monitor your dietary intake in anticipation of the scheduled martial arts class...despite your pain and suffering. Your presentation at the State House was eloquent yet heart-wrenchng, as you focused on the plight of your friend with Musuclar Dystrophy, rather than your own. I've only met you for one afternoon, yet you and your family, taught me more that I could ever learn from a textbook or medical journals.
You probably don't remember me, but I'll never forget you..Keep fighting!!
This video is way too cool!!..just like you.
Arif Matin

Brianna,
You blow me away with your poise and courage. What a wonderful way to tell your story.
I couldn't be prouder.

Dave Madsen

Hi Everyone who has viewed my podcast! I am so happy and proud that you liked what we did to promote the theme of tolerance.
I know you can't submit a vote right now because as they wrote judging is now underway, but if we do not make it as a semi-finalist, I understand that the video's who did not win will be made available again for voting to see if can get played on TV. Then I will need your help again. In the meantime, please share the link directly as the search will not work, so that the podcast can be shared.
I am just so happy. I think this experience has done so much for me just by making it.
Keep commenting, Tell me what you think, what you liked, didn't like, share you thoughts....perhaps my life has been like this so that i can tell people about it so they won't feel so alone....

keep sharing the video and check back often so you will know when to start voting again...
Thank you for helping us make the invisible.....visible.
Lots of love,
Brianna

I've been involved in the lives of 2 very beautiful healthy looking girls that have been diagnosed with mito. I've known them for roughly 2 years and to see them run and play and get in trouble only to see them with their ports and their meds crushes me. this is a new experience for me that has more than humbled my views on life. as corny as this sounds, to see somebody like you make this video gives me hope. i would give anything to see Hailey and Brenna grow to be as strong as you.

Thank you Brianna! My baby boy has been sick since birth and was just diagnosed with Mito at age 2. You really gave me insight into how life with mito can be for kids when they are older, which gives me a more complete picture than test results and doctors and specialists can, which makes it a lot less scary and makes our future seem much brighter. Thank you and good luck. You are a wonderful young lady and I know your parents must be proud.

Thank you so much Brianna for doing this video, I have an 8 year old with mito and i kknow as she gets older people are going to say the same thing...thank you..

Melissa and hailee
link

Brianna:
IThis video is awsome. You did a great job of informing people about this disease. I know what you have been going through, and I hope that in some small way that I helped you. I hope this makes the national TV. You are awsome. Dottie.

Brianna,
Hi I am 45 has been diagnosed Last year with mito
disease. I can certainly understand how you feel about handicap parking, not only that but also the fact that people see her as fine, and "normal" I even had a woman ask me why I was parked in a handicap spot, I looked fine.

I feel your video was great and have sent it to everyone we know. You are an inspiration and great voice for all.
Good luck in all you do.

Lori

Brianna,
Hi I am 45 has been diagnosed Last year with mito
disease. I can certainly understand how you feel about handicap parking, not only that but also the fact that people see her as fine, and "normal" I even had a woman ask me why I was parked in a handicap spot, I looked fine.

I feel your video was great and have sent it to everyone we know. You are an inspiration and great voice for all.
Good luck in all you do.

Lori

Hey Brianna, awsome video. See you at the next TaeKwon Do tournement! ^_^

Hello My name is Chrissy, I have a 23 month old daughter named Lacey. She was diagnoised Through newborn screening. She has MCAD. We wanna thank you from the bottom of our heart for all that your doing. We've got those "looks" from everyone. You definantly got my vote.oxoxox

This type of media is so effective because a picture does tell a thousand words. This issue is so important because the producer was able to present the subject matter of invisible disabilities in such a way that individuals and their families suffering from other invisible disabilities,( like chronic fatigue, diabetes, learning disabilities, arthritis, deafness, fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis as a few examples) can see themselves reflected in her story.

I was really surprised at the statistics on "invisible" disabilities, clearly much more needs to done to increase awareness. I applaud this producer and Brianna and Co for challenging people to not judge a book by its cover. I know I will not be assuming I know anything about the path that others are walking,

The doses of humor throughout the pod allows people to feel comfortable in examining their own perception and views about such things as handicap parking and to not feel ashamed/embarrassed of their own biases and thus becoming resistant to challenging their own perceptions.

I love the concept and presentation of the pod. It was beautifully edited and really kept me guessing as to who was the "real" Brianna. I guessed wrong!!

Brilliant!

Brianna

My son, Andrew, died age the age of six, from Mito in 2003. He was everyone's cheerleader and I am confident he is cheering you on now! You go girl! I hope you get a zillion votes!

deb

Hi Brianna,
You are a true inspiration. You have made my day, and given me hope that my 4 1/2 year old son with Mitochondrial disease will grow up and have an amazing attitude like you do. Thank you, and best of luck in everything you do. You should be very proud!!!
Kristin Murray

Hi Brianna
I think you summed it up exceptionally well. Wish you all the best from Australia and I hope you get the message on TV as their is still a lot of stigma against disablity out there and what it should look like not actually what it is

Karen

Brianna,
I heard about your video through a yahoo mito group. It's great. My 22 year old son suffers from mito also and life is a daily struggle. The comment about using the handicapped space is soooo true. Keep up the good work.

Kim

Dear Brianna,
What a great job! Who IS the real you anyway? I'm really proud of all you do!
Best of luck going national! You're a real trouper!
Bettie

Hey Brie,
I can't say how proud I am of you for working on this project. I am showing it to all my friends up here at RIT. Nicco P. was so funny. I loved how you had 3 Brianna's. I also loved the elevator and HP parking part. So true...just happened to me...again...2 days ago.

Brett Couture

Nice film. A stylistic and cretive approach that really makes your point very effectively.

It's funny how u take so many of lifes greatest joys for granted. This video has really given me a whole new respect for life and for a disease that until now, i never knew anything about.
kenny

yOU ARE AWESOME. GOOD LUCK AND YOU HAVE ALL MY SUPPORT!!!!!
KELLIE

Brianna,
Very impressive video!!! You are very creative, obviously VERY smart and it's a great thing for everyone in your position that you are such an insiring advocate. I personally would be thrilled to see you get on current T. V. I've never seen it, but because of your video I certainly will look into it ! Awesome job. Will the real Brianna Couture please take a bow !
Patty LaPorte :)

Brianna,
Your video is SO necessary. It is Mito Awareness Week in Massachusetts (Oct 1st through the 8th), but most people still have NO CLUE. Like you, my son looks fairly normal, and it has become an ongoing struggle for family, teachers, doctors!, caregivers etc. to understand the severity if this disease. I commend you for the making of this video and wish you the best.
Gwen

Brianna,
Having met you only once, I cannot say I know you very well, but I do know Sam and that she loves making a difference in people's lives. You sound like a very strong girl, fighting for a change in the world, even bigger than the ones we strive for. What an inspiring and encouraing video to do just that! It's something to be proud of and I hope that it makes it on t.v. because I think it will help make people realize more about diseases like yours. Good luck! :)

I love this so much
now from watching this it really helps me understand it more than i did
I love how happy you are even when times are bad
nothing like me
hope to see you soon honey
Love You,
Sara

I love this so much
now from watching this it really helps me understand it more than i did
I love how happy you are even when times are bad
nothing like me
hope to see you soon honey
Love You,
Sara

Great video Brianna! Way to go! I am a pediatric nurse (working toward my PNP at the University of Rochester) and worked for about 7 years with a client that was diagnosed in the late 80s with a "mitochondrial cell dysfucntion". He turned 21 last March! ;o) It always amazed me when an adult would approach us and ask in a hushed whisper, "What's wrong with him?" I'll admit he does use a wheelchair, however, his ears work just fine! Part of me always wanted to reply, "Not a thing, but what is wrong with YOU?" but I never could be so crude. I am forwarding this to others in the health field. Keep up the good work, and have fun in that new dance class! Tamera

Brianna,

I am the mother of a child who also has mito. THANK YOU for giving awareness and hopefully more understanding to this little known disease. My daughter, like you, "looks great" but suffers in many different ways from the disease. I hope your current struggles are not great ones and that this wonderful video gets the attention it deserves.

My deepest admiration,
Meagan

P.S. my daughter's caringbridge page: www.caringbridge.com/ky/sophiesong

enter your post hereBrianna,
You are truly an inspiration as is your mom and brother. I am blessed to know all of you. May God bless your lives richly. And I hope yopu win this Pod cast

Dear Brianna,
As a Mother of two handicapped children, I would like to say that what you are doing is amazing! It takes a lot of courage to get out there and tell your story!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Shlosser

Hi Brianna! This is Bill, Sam's brother. She has told me about how hard it has been for you in the past. I hope it helps get the message across to others!
Good luck!
Bill

Brianna,
You did a great job with that! It means a lot to people like my brother and I who also suffer from another form of Muscular Dystrophy.
Albert

Brianna,
You could not have portrayed your disease any better if you tried! I think that the entire Central school body would finally have a btter understanding of your condition. Ignorance might be at an all time low if others had the chance to walk through life in your shoes!
I Love you,
Sammy

Brianna, I love your story!!! It rocks!!! As a person with a disease myself, I know exactly where you are coming from. As long as there are people like you in this world out there fighting the good fight, we will at the very least ,have hope.
Thank you,
Dan

This pod cast is powerful in the message it delivers. It is informative about the Mitochondrial disease and the performance by these young women presents a clear example that you do not have to look or act sick to disserve the rights afforded to the disabled. The Brianna' are correct; I cannot imagine having to deal with the types of physical demands this disease has on the body. I do know one thing for sure; I am not as active or capable as Brianna is in her activities! My hat is off to you and yours. I hope you will continue to get word out about Mitochondrial disease and some day soon they will kick its butt!
Best regards,
Marxan

Brianna,
I love your video! It captures your spirit so well, and really gets your message across.
Love you
Vickie