The After Party - I Am Not, 'Seizure Boy,' Netflix

Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 2018/09/11 - Updated: 2023/10/05
Publication Type: Opinion Piece / Editorial
Category Topic: Films, Radio and TV - Academic Publications

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Netflix clearly has no respect whatsoever for veterans with epilepsy, or the millions of people who have epilepsy in America. Many nondisabled persons simply do not understand; adults who have epilepsy truly fear losing their jobs. I have lost more than one. Kids with epilepsy are afraid of losing the friends they have made. Everyone with a seizure disorder is afraid of being ridiculed and belittled.

Introduction

When Netflix began showing a movie called, 'The After Party,' I was immediately dismayed and quite offended. One of the reasons why is because I experienced a heat stroke on an Army base and ended up with generalized tonic-clonic gran mal seizures. The military presented me with a 40% disability rating because of my service-connected disability. Netflix clearly has no respect whatsoever for veterans with epilepsy, or the millions of people who have epilepsy in America.

Main Content

When I came home from the Army it took a couple of years to gain medication control of the seizures. More than once I ended up in a state of, 'status epilepticus,' or nonstop seizures. For a very long time now I have dealt with people laughing and belittling me, as well as what I think of as, 'Lookie-Lou's' who stared at me while I had seizures in many different places. Netflix is promoting the very same hate, disregard and belittlement of people who experience seizure disorders. I will never forget how some people treated me due to my disability.

Many nondisabled persons simply do not understand; adults who have epilepsy truly fear losing their jobs. I have lost more than one. Kids with epilepsy are afraid of losing the friends they have made. Everyone with a seizure disorder is afraid of being ridiculed and belittled.

Netflix doesn't care, the company failed to remove, 'The After Party.' In fact, Netflix has failed to acknowledge the damages being done by this horrid movie. In other words, Netflix does not care one bit about the 3,000,000 people with epilepsy in America alone. Sorry, Netflix, I am not, 'Seizure Boy,' and I don't do the, 'Seezjahboy,' dance. The epilepsy community as a whole is livid.

'The After Party,' promotes the outright ignorance and fear surrounding epilepsy. The film is a monument to hate and complete disregard. Phil Gattone, President of the Epilepsy Foundation, said he has attempted to interact with Netflix. The company failed to respond at all, telling me everything I needed to know about Netflix. Phil wants to create a public service announcement concerning seizures to be presented at the end of the movie, yet Netflix won't even talk about it.

The movie is an assault on people in the community who experience seizures. Advocates for people with epilepsy whole-heartedly agree. To imply that people with epilepsy are justifiably worthy of belittlement and hate is entirely unacceptable. Let's get some facts straight, Netflix:

• There are 150,000 New Cases of Epilepsy Every Year
• 3.4 million People in the United States Live with Active Epilepsy
• 1 in 26 People in the U.S. Will Develop Epilepsy at Some Point in Their Lives
• Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease and affects people of all ages.

The year is 2018, not 1950. The Internet is full of articles concerning seizure disorders, there is absolutely no excuse for the presentation of ignorance Netflix has pursued.

Upon reading about Netflix and, 'The After Party,' I promptly called Netflix. The representative I interacted with plainly didn't care, he was just trying to get through the day. I told Netflix, "You have 48 hours to take this movie down or I will cancel my account." The representative stated, "I'm sorry to hear about that, sir."

Then I realized something that should have been easily understood; Netflix showed this movie in the first place. I called Netflix back, canceled my account and told them exactly why. I do not support companies that spread ignorance, hate and belittlement of people with epilepsy.

Netflix doesn't seem to care about losing customers. I am not the only one who has dropped Netflix over this movie. My hope at this point is that people boycott Netflix. I hope The Epilepsy Foundation produces a Public Service Announcement concerning this terribly abusive movie. As a veteran with service-connected epilepsy, I also hope the Veterans Administration rebukes Netflix for treating veterans badly.

Goodbye, Netflix. You won't be missed.

Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a CNA Thomas has providing care for people with all forms of disabilities. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.