Jonathan Karsh directs this engrossing documentary about Susan Tom, a 53-year-old divorced single mother who is raising 11 special-needs children. The only one who can help her is Margaret, an 18 year old who survived a bout with epilepsy and is trying to balance caregiving for all these kids with taking classes at a community college. Susan's husband left years ago, and she hasn't had a date in 22 years. Of course, given the superhuman burden of work that goes into looking after these children, there is little time for privacy or personal relaxation.
Anthony, a 19 year old, was born with a degenerative skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (E.B.); his skin literally dissolves and falls off. He must have baths every day to battle infection. Watching Susan tenderly love this boy, who is constantly wincing with pain, gives new meaning to the term compassion. Equally difficult is the plight of Faith, an eight year old whose head and body are covered with disfiguring scars from a crib fire when she was an infant. Although very smart, she must face constant ridicule at school about her appearance. Xenia, born without legs, should be a very depressed girl but at 13 she is interested in boys and filled with all the energy and enthusiasm of a teenager. At a Halloween Party, she laughs uproariously while participating in a skit about being sawed in half.
The child who gives Susan the most trouble is Joe, a fifteen-year old who has cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. He is a very angry person who feels abandoned when his birth mother leaves the area. Joe begins directing his rage at Susan and the other children who do not handle his nastiness well. This is when his adoptive mother's patience and love come to the fore as she keeps her heart open toward him in one instance after another of raw empathy with his inner pain and fear of death. My Flesh and Blood is a deeply touching portrait of a truly nurturing woman.
The DVD has many excellent extras. Director Jonathan Karsh provides a fine audio commentary. Interview segments feature Karsh, Susan Tom, and Susan's two oldest sons. A "behind-the-scene" film and 13 minutes of deleted scenes provide more visits with this unusual family. There is also a good selection of web links for additional resources, biographies, and the trailer.
