"Beyond Laughter and Tears," a documentary about Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) premieres in Washington, D.C. presented by the Brain Injury Association of America and Avanir

"Beyond Laughter and Tears," a documentary about Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) premieres in Washington, D.C. presented by the Brain Injury Association of America and Avanir

WASHINGTON, March 14, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

"It's bizarre for me to cry. I was considered the hard-core soldier. It's not for a reason. It's just all of a sudden, I feel emotional and start crying,"- Christine Jones, suffering from PBA.

Local Wilkes-Barre resident Christine Jones spent twenty years in the Army. On her way home from a troop deployment, her car hit a wet spot in the road and flipped seven or eight times. She survived and after time spent in the hospital recovering from her injuries, she went home and resumed her regular activities. Her husband started noticing that she'd cry or laugh at odd moments, often unrelated to what she was feeling inside. "I didn't know what it was. She's giggling about nothing. I didn't even know PBA existed," said her husband Don Jones.

"Beyond Laughter and Tears" is the first documentary film to examine the daily struggle of Americans who live with PBA, a neurological condition that causes uncontrolled bouts of crying and/or laughing. BYLT chronicles the lives of six people dealing with PBA (Pseudobulbar Affect), a secondary condition prevalent among people who've suffered some sort of traumatic brain injury or stroke or certain other diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Over half of Americans suffering from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) have symptoms suggestive of PBA and merit further diagnostic assessment.

"'PBA is a socially isolating condition, even more so when it has not been properly diagnosed or treated.' The Brain Injury Association of America is pleased to partner with Avanir and the PBA Film Project to bring 'Beyond Laughter and Tears' to the attention of policymakers in Washington, D.C.," said Susan Connors, Brain Injury Association of America President/Chief Executive Officer.

Former TODAY SHOW health and fitness correspondent, Jenna Wolfe will interview Christine after the screening.

Event will be held on March 15, 2016 at Union Station, Washington, DC.
Cocktail reception at 6:00pm.
Screening at 7:00pm.

SOURCE Brain Injury Association of America; Avanir

Brain Injury Association of America; Avanir

CONTACT: Grace Kahng, grace@santokiproductions.com, 415-606-8123


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