“Si bully into your life and upsets you. No matter how far you run, she always catches up with you “like this Giovanna Gianolliactress and producer, describes the enemy who has suddenly fallen into her life, namely the Menière’s syndromea chronic disease of the inner ear caused by the accumulation of endolymph.
Diagnosis of Menière’s Syndrome
«The first dizzying crises – he remembers – appeared in 2009, shortly after the birth of my son. Initially they were sporadic until, in the following years, they intensified to such an extent that I started to worry and, therefore, to wander among various specialists who gave me disparate diagnoses, from cervical to dental malocclusion up to thyroid problems, while I literally kept hitting the ground “.
To deliver the correct diagnosis, marked by the bitter taste of a sentence, it was the onset of other symptoms such as tinnitus and loss of 75% hearing in the left ear, that constantly accompany the vertiginous attacks.
The psychological repercussions of the “invisible disease”
«The impact both physical and psychological with what is called one “Invisible disease”as it has no tangible signs and is often not understood, it was not at all easy. I was desperate, I fell into a depressive state because I felt I was losing all certainty, even job opportunities ” she tells by illustrating how, after long years of suffering, she managed to find in her art the cathartic tool to scream her anger and let the world know what one is living and how one can help those in this condition.
Giovanna Gianolli in a scene from the short film
The short film
Thus, based on his experience and on that of hundreds of sick people known in support groups on social media, he was born “And then comes Menny”, the short film written, produced and performed by the actress, flanked by the sensitivity of the director Andrea Traina who has been able to translate the everyday life of illness into images and sounds, to make the public identify with the suffering that thousands of people live in silence.
“In the midst of the lockdown – he explains – we launched a small crowdfunding with which, thanks to the support of friends and patients of Menière, we were able to raise a sum that, combined with my savings invested and the support of the Mario Sanna Foundation and the Otological Group of the Piacenza Hospital, allowed the realization of this short that I felt I had to do, also to heal my soul ».
Raising awareness through the art of cinema
After a first screening at the Anteo cinema in Milan City Life, “And then comes Menny” is ready to turn the spotlight on the Menière Syndrome, Thursday 5 May, as part of the Civil Week: will be screened at the Gloria Notorious cinema in Milan, introduced by an initial talk show which includes the interventions of the AMMI Association (Associazione Malati di Menière Insieme), the Otological Group of Piacenza and some expert doctors who will illustrate Menière’s Disease and the current situation in Italy.
The rights denied to patients with Menière’s Syndrome
Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for Ménière’s Syndrome, which is often diagnosed late or poorly. Worldwide, about 12 people per 1,000 individuals suffer from it, but there is no register with official data, let alone the Ministry of Health recognizes it as a disabling disease.
“Through this short film, we are trying to make noise to raise awareness of this disease, raise awareness of the difficulties we encounter in leading a normal life, but also stimulate institutions so that they recognize our denied rights»Says Gianolli confidently the hope that research will continue and funds may be allocated to studies, at the moment, privately initiated to investigate the triggering cause and, therefore, to allow the sick to hope for a possible recovery.
Giovanna’s strength
After more than 10 years, Giovanna’s relationship with Menny – the diminutive with which they call the disease to play down – has changed: «I remember that, initially, I felt helpless, to the point that I was afraid that I could not take care of my son, to whom I had taught the emergency numbers to contact if I got sick while we were alone. For long years, I lived halfway through fear of the violent crisis coming, but, just before the lockdown, I felt the need to take back my life“.
For just over 2 years, the actress has started a new treatment, with countless and significant side effects, which however allows her to breathe from violent dizzying crises and, therefore, from the depressive state.
“It’s true – he concludes – the world begins to turn, suddenly, at the least indicated moment, and I am never prepared for this. But now I’ve learned how to handle Menny, ” .
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