Oct 6, 2025
Have you seen A Fighting Choice (1986)?
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Have you seen A Fighting Choice (1986)?
Yes
No
Haven’t even heard of this movie
A fighting Choice (1986)
Epilepticon 2018 Epilepsy Movie Marathon:
A Fighting Choice (1986)
Dir. Ferdinand Fairfax
Summary: Kellin Taylor (played by a young Patrick Dempsey), a teenager with a life-long history of epilepsy, takes his own family to court over his right to a medical operation that may reduce his seizures.
Epilepsy Representation: Being a Disney Afternoon Special, A Fighting Choice was made with the intention of being both informative about epilepsy and accessible to people unfamiliar with the particulars of the disorder. Other than using a few outdated terms like grand mal and petite mal seizures, the film holds up in that regard. At least two times, the movie addresses what someone should do when seeing a person have a seizure. It is also explicitly stated that you should never put a wallet (or really, anything) in someone’s mouth during a seizure so that’s good too.
Favorite Line: “If I can just get through a day without a seizure, that’s paradise for me.”
Anything Else?: I really dug how much this movie dove into the concept of bodily autonomy and the right to consent to medical operations while still under the age of 18. Some of the courtroom scenes may have been a little over-the-top but overall it was a neat twist on the old “child takes parents to court” plot. Also, Baby Patrick Dempsey has the goofiest shouty voice.
Any warnings?: Some of the scenes with Kellin’s seizures can be a little intense, with the film showcasing the dangers of having a seizure while alone.
Recommended?: Yes but especially for young adults. Just be prepared for when some of the dialogue sounds more like the actors are reading an informational pamphlet on epilepsy rather than having a natural conversation.
They're not zombies!
We've got to teach him proper words.
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