DVD Release Date: February 22, 2011
Rating: NR
Running Time: 83 minutes

9000 Needles follows Devin Dearth on this unconventional journey after a devastating stroke, during which his courage, faith, patience and desire to overcome are tested on a daily basis.

9000 Needles is without a doubt the best documentary of the year. I was completely blown away with Devin Dearth’s story of recovery after a stroke at the age of 40. What an incredible journey the Dearth family has been on (and continues to be on today). 9000 Needles is truly the most heartbreaking and inspiring documentary you will see in your entire life. Myself, having a grandparent who had strokes was one thing, especially since I was young and did not want to have what seemed like the burden of the perspective that I now have about all that went on. But this documentary helped me see the light. It helped me appreciate life and family all the more. It made me appreciate the doctors and nurses whose compassion is out of this world even more. It makes me miss my grandfather tremendously and I wish I could go back in time and applaud him for his strength, his hope, and his patience.

Zack just graduated from high school, how do you feel?

Lonely.

As much as I have experienced with my own grandfather…in watching this DVD, for the first time I actually opened myself up to see a bit of what this daily struggle is like. I was able to face reality this time instead of say hello and walk past it. I was finally ready and willing to understand it. It’s amazing how you can see something all of the time and no matter how many times you try to ignore your feelings about it, you have to confront those feelings eventually. That’s exactly what happened when I found this DVD in the mail. It brought constant tears to my eyes but my eyes will never be the same again. I am a different person for the better and you will be too. This documentary may have shown the physical therapy that Devin received in Tianjian, China, but it has given me a personal therapy that has watered my soul like never before.

Due to the incredibly frustrating and disheartening health insurance system in America, the Dearth family ended up getting recovery for Devin in China. After much debate over going against Devin’s living will and after a successful local benefit just for Devin, the family finds that the affordable treatment program in China was well worth taking the chance on in giving Devin the best life that he could have post-stroke. The home videos, personal photos, and interviews with Devin’s wife, children, siblings, and caretakers was edited brilliantly with all of the footage of Devin’s recovery.

To see pieces of how this Christian suburban family from Kentucky was living the American dream before Devin’s stroke cut to the moment when his entire family comes to visit him in China…it just makes every moment even more significant. Life is unpredictable and to see a family stay together and stay strong, that is unimaginable grace. What a beautiful sight to see. Everything about this film will touch your heart in a way that you may not be prepared for, but will change you for the better. I cannot stress enough how much much I want you to see this documentary. Please go get it today.

9000 Needles is available on DVD now.