BAFTA award for documentary maker who followed 24-year-old care home resident

Award-winning documentary ‘The Incurable Optimist’ tells the story of Amy-Claire Davies who could die any day and lives in constant pain. Despite this, she retains overwhelming positivity and hope for the future.

Amy-Claire suffers from a rare and incurable illness where the brain sends the wrong messages to the rest of her body. Any emotion such as feeling anxious, sad or happy can make her spasm. This spasm could kill her at any time.

This illness does not have a name and each day, Amy-Claire has to take more than 40 pills and requires round the clock care.

The documentary gives an insight into her optimistic outlook on life living with her complex medical needs and celebrations took place at St David’s Hall, Cardiff where Amy-Claire was there to see her documentary director Mei Williams win a BAFTA award.

’I’ve realised that what really fills your life with love and wonder is the small stuff’

Speaking after the ceremony, Ms Davies, said: “I’m so grateful to Lewis Martin Court for allowing us to film; I couldn’t have told my story without their support. The documentary shows what a truly fantastic place Lewis Martin Court is, and how it’s full of love and care.”

“We told this story, I told this story, for all the people out there, especially the young adults, who wake up every day and try to get on with living their lives despite knowing that day could be their last.

“I’m delighted that BAFTA Cymru has given recognition to our story, and hope they continue to recognise stories about people with disabilities and especially people under palliative care.”

In the documentary, Ms Davies says: “I’ve realised that what really fills your life with love and wonder is the small stuff. It’s smelling the sea air and it’s laughing with your friends.

"My world is full of love. I love mammy and daddy, and I love our dogs, I love my friends and family and I love bright clothes, films and books and music, I love unicorns, coffee and of course, I love my new boyfriend Blue."

Originally from Swansea, Amy-Claire spent some time during her earlier years at Ty Hafan children’s hospice, where doctors thought she would die, before moving to Lewis Martin Court, Cardiff, where she currently lives.

The documentary was filmed in and around Cardiff and includes Lewis Martin Court owned by Salutem Healthcare.

Martyn Heginbotham, managing director at Salutem Healthcare, said: “Amy-Claire has an extraordinary and inspiring story to tell. The documentary was a triumph in highlighting the reality of living with a debilitating condition while living life to the full.”

John Godden, chief executive of Salutem Healthcare said: “Amy-Claire is an inspiration to us all. She is able to provide a wonderfully eloquent narrative on how it feels to have reliance on care support. Her words have enabled us to better understand how best to support residents and service users in homes like Lewis Martin Court where the team do an amazing job. A much-deserved award for an insightful, brave documentary.”

The ‘Incurable Optimist’ is available to watch on BBC iPlayer tonight at 22:35 and will be available for 28 days click here to view

click here for more details or to contact Lewis Martin Court