My Flesh and Blood is a 2003 documentary film by Jonathan Karsh chronicling a year in the life of the Tom family. The Tom family is notable as the mother, Susan, adopted eleven children, most of whom had serious disabilities or diseases. The film itself is notable for handling the sensitive subject matter in an unsentimental way that is more uplifting than one might expect.
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I was on NetFlix and clicked on "My Flesh and Blood", expecting another uplifting story like "Who Are the DeBolts and Where Did They Get 19 Kids?" This is most assuredly not the DeBolts.Susan Tom is a lonely woman who seeks to fill the emptiness inside her with needy children. And while she's an apt physical caregiver, and seems able to provide a loving home for most of the children, two of them wind up utterly lost: Martha, upon whose slender shoulders Susan piles enormous burdens, and Joe, who struggles to find someplace in the world where he belongs.Martha, old beyond her 18 years, cries out to her mother for some understanding and is shut up even as she melts down. Joe, who for most of the film had been lashing out in impotent rage at everybody around him, took a quiet moment to express concern for his sister. Rather than nurture this attempt to connect, Susan shut him up. And he shut down. My prayers for Joe throughout the film proved to have come too late as he finally gave up and died, leaving Martha bereft of perhaps the only person in her life who could have understood her profound loneliness.I still pray for Martha, who may yet find a place in the world where there's room for her. All I can do for Joe is cry.
I am a foster mother of special needs children and, trust me, it is no walk in the park. This documentary was suggested to me because of some issues we are having with a foster child right now. It changed the way that I looked at my situation. This mother is the most giving, comforting mom I have seen.I suggest this movie to anyone, especially if you are fostering. It covers so many topics that we deal with every day such as dealing with social workers, medical issues, attitudes towards children and giving children a normal life style regardless of set-backs for them.And, to anyone who mentions that she exploits these children, you are crazy. She gave every child the choice to have their story told and the stories you see are the only ones that accepted that. Also, the director reached out to her about this project - not the opposite. Anyone in foster care knows that you do this for the kids, not for the money.Thank you to everyone who participated in this project. It will never be forgotten.
This was a great documentary i was flipping around in the "on demand doc." section and i found it checked it out and fell in love with most of the characters . One thing that bothered me though is that they ended with Anthony's birthday then just finished it(i know Susan didn't let them film any longer) also they went through part of it not saying anything then suddenly Susan's face appears on the screen and tells what happened (we could have figured that out on our own thank you) i cried lots but a great film !!!!:) also i would advise any one who is either emotional or cant watch medical shows (due to weak stomach) not to watch this film!!
If not for bumping into the filmmaker at another SXSW Film Festival screening, I would have dismissed this as potentially a tear-jerker freak show. The synopsis did not grab me. Mr. Karsh did--he is as passionate as his subject matter.Don't make the mistake I almost made--see this and prepare to meet some of the most indelibly etched characters life has ever created on screen. HBO/Cinemax has apparently agreed to pick this up for showing in late 2003/early 2004 so you should have a chance to see it there, but I really hope it finds release on DVD.Karsh creates and incredibly moving portrait of a family like no other, built on the solid foundation of one amazing mother. With an engaging, suspenseful dramatic arc that could not possibly have been scripted, the film shows laughter, fear, anger, rage, love, frustration and difficult resolution. As in any family, there are no easy answers to life's daily challenges. With unique access and a "cast" of dreams, it is an absolutely unforgettable slice of life that should make each of us aware of how much we have for which to be thankful. Part documentary, part cinema verite, it is 100% engaging till the last frame. See it and prepare to meet the Toms.