Table 3.

Attitudes towards MS and film intervention following focus groups.

Theme	Phrases
Identity and MS	“MS is not who I am; it is the beginning of who I’m not going to be.”“You either dwell on it or move forward.”“I told myself: I have MS, but MS does not have me.”“It is easy to fall into the darkness with this disease and be secluded.”“In the end, all that matters is my attitude and no one is going to give me a label to change that.”
Disease Prognosis (Concern)	“I feel a transition from darkness to light”“There are two ways you can go [MS]: you can go to the dark, or you can go in the light and continue to live.”“Perseverance!”“Take control of your life … to live and try to do all the things you want to do.”
Family Support (Consequences)	“To have that support [family] … to help you grasp the immensity of the diagnosis.”“We do need support. Obviously, we are here together, supporting each other.”“It’s sad that it happened to the siblings, but it’s good that they’re there, standing tall. They’re standing for each other.”“MS doesn’t just happen to you; it happens to the whole family.”
Education and Awareness (Understanding)	“It is very important to educate the family.” “A way of educating people is very important.”“The more you learn, the better you’re off.”“If he [dad] was better educated, he would’ve known.”“The video [film] might help people understand, I don’t look sick, but there are days when I literally can’t get out of bed.”“Education is power, and information is power, and we don’t feel as depressed and angry once we know.”
Identification with Film and Character	“It [film] shows us that we can either stay in that darkness or go in the light.”“No one is going to understand what you’re going through unless they see this film.”“Inspirational, the short-film can show others that life continues”“Feelings of heaviness, isolation, depression, hope, and acceptance are relatable”“I was watching it, it hit home!”