Doug Dearth Director and Producer

OM Times Interview

What inspired you to shoot a film during your brother’s recovery?

Doug: There were several reasons I wanted to shoot a film during such a time of struggle. The first two were Self-serving: 1) I saw it as an opportunity to go to China with my brother and to help him through his struggle, and 2) I surmised that if the doctors agreed to allow me to film, then they would be sure to give Devin the best care possible. In hindsight, I am sure they would have given him great treatment regardless.

I also believed that filming would give Devin something to focus on outside of himself. When devastating things like this happen to someone, their whole life is turned upside down. If you don’t find some kind of purpose in it all, then you feel very hopeless. I hope this film gives my brother the opportunity to share his story with other people that are undergoing similar struggles, and to inspire them to fight adversity.

Is your film intended to be an indictment on the U.S. Healthcare System?

Doug: I intended 9,000 Needles to take an honest look at what ordinary people go through when they are faced with these unexpected challenges. If the film reflects negatively on our current healthcare system, then so be it. Our experience in dealing with my brother’s health insurance was awful. These life struggles are hard enough – physically, emotionally and financially, and navigating a system that is confusing, bureaucratic and constantly full of “No” only adds to the stress.

I have my own personal politics when it comes to the healthcare issues that are so prevalent today, but I tried to keep them out of this story. I just wanted to focus on the real experience that this typical American family was going through. This could very well be you or me, and no matter what your personal or political views may be, we all face the same constraints and obstacles to getting the care we need in this country.

How did your family react when you told them that you wanted to film a documentary during your brother’s stroke recovery?

Doug: I have to say, their reaction was better than I imagined. I think I was more conflicted about it than they were. After all, I knew exactly what I was about to subject them to. There was some hesitation within the family at first, but once Devin and his wife Stacey gave it their blessing, everyone was very supportive. Before his stroke, Devin was very involved in his church and community. He taught Sunday school, and was very active with the youth groups. He leveraged his accomplishments as a bodybuilder to participate in prison outreach programs, and volunteered with the American Red Cross. I knew that he would be up to the challenge of using this devastating injury to help others, and, in hindsight, would probably be pleased that we filmed his journey.