Join us during Disability Pride Month for a special double feature exploring the remarkable true story of Mark O’Brien—a Bay Area poet, journalist, UC Berkeley graduate, and polio survivor whose life challenges us to rethink disability, intimacy, dignity, and what it means to be fully human.

After contracting polio at age six, Mark spent much of his life using an iron lung. Despite extraordinary physical limitations, he earned a degree in English from UC Berkeley, became an acclaimed writer, and lived independently in Berkeley. His life inspired both the Academy Award-winning documentary Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O’Brien and the acclaimed feature film The Sessions, which tells the true story of Mark’s work with a surrogate partner—a trained professional who works therapeutically alongside a licensed therapist—to help him explore intimacy, sexuality, relationships, and human connection.

We’ll begin with Breathing Lessons, pause for a community conversation, continue with The Sessions, and conclude with a final discussion reflecting on both films.

Schedule

5:30 PM – Arrival, snacks, and settling in

5:40 PM – Welcome & introduction

5:45 PM – Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O’Brien (1996)

6:25 PM – Documentary discussion

6:50 PM – Break & refreshments

6:55 PM – The Sessions (2012)

8:30 PM – Film discussion

8:55 PM – Closing remarks

9:00 PM – Event concludes

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Content Advisory

The Sessions (2012) is rated R for sexual content, nudity, and language. While the film includes mature themes, it approaches them through the lens of disability, dignity, vulnerability, and human connection. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Registration

To help keep an accurate headcount, please register through Luma—even if you’re a Groundfloor member:

luma.com/shaycoaching

• Groundfloor members: Free (please register on Luma)

• Guests (non-Groundfloor): $10 via Venmo after registering on Luma.