Kampen för att ha ett liv (”The struggle to have a life” in English)...

… is a documentary movie now only available in Swedish (2024). In the movie we especially focus on a law that is unique for Sweden and was enforced in 1994, LSS (Lagen om stöd och service till vissa funktionshindrade, 1993:387). The purpose of this law was to make it possible for people with lifelong disabilities to lead a life pretty much like everyone else. But eventhough the law has had a huge positive impact in the lives of many disabled people, there has also been a trend since the very beginning to ”adapt” the law in ways that has made it increasingly difficult for disabled people to plan their lives ahead and take part in society. In short: to lead self-determined and independent lives on equal terms.

The protagonists in the movie are:

• Jonas Franksson is chairman of STIL, the Swedish equivalent to Independent Living in the US, journalist and actor. Jonas was born with cerebral palsy.
• Jan Paul, former professor and student at Stockholm University. Jan suffered a brain hemmorrhage as an adult that left him partially paralyzed.
• Mia Odeh, communications manager and mom to Selma, born with a severe mental disability.
• Martin Engqvist, journalist, was paralyzed after a car accident.

Some of the other participants and experts in the movie are:

Adolf Ratzka, author and disability activist that introduced Independent living in Sweden and was a driving force behind LSS.

Andreas Pettersson, lecturer and researcher in public law, Södertörns högskola.

Bengt Westerberg, former political leader for the Liberal Party and a driving force behind LSS.

Judith Heumann, special advisor for disabilty right’s during the Obama administration.

Niklas Altermark, researcher in disability politics, Lund University.

Stefan de Vylder, Swedish economist and author.

Thomas Hammarberg, senior human right’s specialist and advocate, commissioner for Human Rights, Council of Europe 2006-12.

For access to password contact me on ardbocaroline@gmail.com