“I suppose you have received many letters from desperate mothers. Here is mine.” My sister wrote these words to a neurologist in 1997 when my nephew was two years old. one, one thousand… is a different kind of love story, albeit one of countless narratives untold by family caregivers. It is an intimate portrayal of a mother’s devoted care for her son, as well as a testament to the love between two sisters. 


This unconventional documentary exposes the impact a rare and incurable form of epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, has on Lori and David. At 28 years old, my nephew endures daily seizures, has scoliosis, severe autism, and requires 24-hour care. After years of pursuing conventional approaches to stop his seizures, Lori turned to healers working in energetic and mystical realms. Her love for David and finding meaning through their circumstances fuels her dedication to his care and her own personal and spiritual growth.


Because of David’s minimal ability to communicate, we cannot truly know what he sees, thinks and feels. Multiple artistic interpretations, in addition to Lori’s handwritten narrative, are used to convey the known and unknown physical, emotional, mental and spiritual experiences of their lives. The title, one, one thousand…, references Lori’s description of counting the length of a seizure.


When I asked David’s permission to make this project, I did not know if he would respond.  If he did, would I understand him?  In a rare and astonishing gesture, he leaned toward me with sustained eye contact. I got my “yes.” 





Captions and essays written by Lori Sandler


FEBRUARY 7, 2023: Hybrid Panel Discussion: Info + Details 

one, one thousand...   Discussion with Debe and Lori, November 1, 2022 

Recent Podcast Interview: The Candid Frame

My Silent Buddha, Wisdom from My Son   Talk, 2013


A portion of the photographs sold goes to the Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome Foundation. For more information about Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome or to make a donation, please visit  LGS Foundation.



University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus • Fulginiti Pavilion for Bioethics and Humanities 

Georgetown Parking Lot • 13080 E 19th Avenue Aurora, Colorado  United States


one, one thousand...

2020 - ongoing 


one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long-term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long-term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder, meditation, yoga, personal growth, healing practice
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long-term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder, meditation, yoga, personal growth, healing practice
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder, prayer beads
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
one, one thousand..., Lennox-Gastuat Syndrome, rare disease, seizures, incurable, mother and son, long term family care, caregiver, epilepsy, scoliosis, incurable brain disorder,
copyright © all rights reserved
debe arlook 2023 terms of service
Using Format