Not many people experience the brutal side effects of prescription drugs but Garvin Richards is one of them.
In a new documentary Richards will tell the extraordinary story of how he managed to survive and excel after his brush with Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS), a deadly immune reaction that can be triggered by infections and prescription drugs, among others.
Producer Julian Morris said the goal of the documentary is to raise awareness of the potential negative implications from certain prescription drugs and SJS. “The documentary reveals that despite the impact on the quality of Garvin’s life, he is still able to excel in his work and daily activities,” Morris said.
He said the documentary will capture Richard’s gratitude after his terrifying experience. “He has a great sense of gratitude and has no hard feelings,” the producer said.
Meanwhile Richards said his life-changing experience began in 2006 when he was prescribed Dilantil for seizures and ‘things got from bad to worse.’
In hindsight he said it was a life changing event. “It was a life changing experience,” he stated. “It has brought me closer to God, made me more aware of things in life and the things I must cherish.”
Richards pointed out that he decided to do the documentary since many people have been asking why he is wearing dark glasses both during the daytime and at night. “I have to wear them and everyone will know why after they watch the documentary,” he noted.
SJS is described as a life-threatening skin condition, in which cell death causes the upper layer of the skin to separate from the lower layer. It also causes conjunctivitis of the eyes in 30 percent of victims. It is an extremely rare condition that affects one in over a million people.
“The Man behind the Shades; The Garvin Richards” story is part of a Marpin series called: Real People, Real Stories.
It will feature Richard’s family, medical professionals and colleagues.
The program premiers tonight (Monday) at 8:30pm on Marpin’s channel 5.
Can’t wait to see the documentary on Sunday…Was always getting mad when i saw him reading the news with his shades on…After being told of this documentary and reading this on DNO i will definitely be watching it to better educate myself on Garvin’s Condition.
The production was excellent and deserving of an award. This documentary should be submitted to CNN and CMC. Steven Johnson’s syndrome is rare and unfortunately Garvin suffered however he survived by God’s grace. Thanks Garvin for helping to educate others on this rare syndrome.
Admin can you please find out when whether there will be a repeat of the program, if so the date and time? thanks.
ADMIN: We are not sure. Contact Marpin.
Program will Air tonight Wednesday at 8:30pm channel 5 and Sunday at 6pm….
thanks
There will be a repeat on Sunday October 14th at 6p.m. on channel 5
I am happy to learn something new. It is amazing to see what Garvin went through and he remained positive. Not many people get sick and stay positive. Thank you Garvin for being brave enough to talk about your illness. You have touched many lives and made us realize that we must be careful with the medication that we take. I have also noticed that some persons who travel especially outside the region have a different perspective on things, because they get to see people in vast situations, whether sick or handicapped. Its amazing to see that the sick and/or handicapped are well respected and independent too (overseas). I think some of us are too small minded and quick to jucge. My dad is handicapped and I am never ashamed of him even if people laugh. It’s ok.
A wonderful job by the Marpin team. Kudos to you and Garvin for a really inspirational story which sheds light on an issue. Having experienced my own share of health scare after an operation at the hospital I can relate somewhat. But God bless you Garvin for speaking out. You are a fighter!
This was a wonderful documentary. Very informative and educational. Please play it again.
very. i saw it and was so sadden. i know normally hapens in places like US,cause its so rear and happened to one of our very own. cause that is a one in a million disease. we are blessed. so are our people. my boy god was definitely on ur side.
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Great documentary… Kudos to Marpin and always remember never judge someone!!! Great Job!!! Awaiting to see who’s next… Be strong Garvin and continue living the best way you can.
Good documentary I cried.
I must say this was a well put together piece and congratulations to Julian Morris and the entire Marpin staff. Carvin is strong and a pleasant young man. Continue to trust God and put him first always in your life. All things are possible with God, Carvin remain strong a focus. God bless you and your family.
Thank you for doing this Garvin. It created a sense of awareness not just for this symdrome but for attention to health care as a whole. Among the may other benefits to others, this will allow us to go deeper into ourselves: We sometimes cast unnecessary judgement without actually knowing anything about someone. Bet many had their ideas on you with your shades. Now we all understand. Thumbs up! Well put together documentary. Take care Garvin, keep doing what you do with continued excellence. Thank you for sharing!
I am very happy and so proud that Garvin did this documentary. I knew of what happened to him and it really used to get me sooooooooo vex when people would make fun of the fact that he always had shades on…
Hopefully viewers of Marpin now know what he went through will not make fun of him..
I applaud the fact that he is not looking for sympathy..just hoping that people who now know will stop judging him and thinking its an old vary he has thats why he is always wearing shades.
i saw the documentary..very sad, i never heard of the SJS before but am glad u told ur story so that others could get a better understanding about ur shades. God saved this young man life!!
Is not DILANTIL is DILANTIN
but for who u making that correction nah..tell me where in my statement u see that word….allu always quick to correct ppl and while @ it u making a fool of urself…………stuppppzzzzzz!!!
LOL LOL
“It was a Life changing experience.” he stated. It has brought me closer to God; made me more aware of the things of “Life” and the things I must cherish” News article above
Yes, being closer to God will always bring a person to the awareness of Life, for Life is of God who is Spirit, and so, this Life in us must exist in the Spirit–the soul–not of the flesh.
That is the reason those of us, who are God’s chosen people, will experience His entrance in our lives through a somewhat dramatic contact, as He wants us to know that He taking control in us. But faith is the spiritual substance, which enhance spiritual wisdom, which tells us that God has taken hold of us, and we should not panic. Remember that He always said in His Words: “Do not be afraid”
Those dramatic contacts are the ways God puts us in the mode of applying faith through trials and tests; our faith in Him is what gives us the victory of Life–the Life which belongs in the Spirit–God having connected to us by the Power of Holy Spirit through conscience.
However, because of our fleshly weakness and the mischief of our adversary it is very important that we hold on to faith, trust, and humility–the substances or the attitude of the Spirit that fights against and breaks down pride and self conceit of our mind–those attitude are very bad for us, if we desire to draw near in relationship with our God of Life and its perfection
I count myself in with Garvin Richards to say that God’s dramatic entrance in my Life, was what brought me closer to Him and that closeness is increasing on a daily basis–yes indeed!
I have learned how to cherish Life, which is the most priceless gift a person can ever receive, for it is a gift of God–no matter what the condition of the body is like today. Life in the presence of God. who is perfect, will be as perfect as we view it in our minds today–that is the reason we are taught through the Word of God, to not be conformed to the World but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, that we might know what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect Will of God.
Garvin Richards, I hope that you are holding on to the faith, which should tell you that it is by the “Stripes of Jesus Christ that you are healed” first and foremost–believe it not!
everybody knows who you are. only you speak like that. nice long comment though. thanks for the wise words.
@thankful
Thanks for the words of encouragement and build-up. I want you to know that God is remembering you, as He gives blessings to those who share in His Love with others. That is what you have done here. Keep the faith, my friend.
In the many years of watching Marpin, I must applaud Julian Morris and Garvin for a documentry well put together. This really brought tears in my eyes. But Garvin continue to hold on strong. God giveth and he taketh. He indeed gave you another chance.
God bless and heal u Garvin…sometimes u taking a medicine and IT MAKING you feel sick and they telling you to continue, not me as long as i feel strange I stop…there was someone who got very sick with a cough medicine, like it was an allergy….
just viewed the documentary… Garvin you are a survivor! keep the faith god bless!
A beautiful documentary. Garvin, thanks for telling your story. I am happy you are better.
Congrats to the production team for a job well done.
Glad you came through Garvin. I too jumped to conclusions about why you ALWAYS were wearing shades.
Good documentary. Nevr knew about this illness before.
Hmm…I am overseas so I won’t see that documentary but I’m curious to know where he was diagnosed as Steven-Johnson syndrome is VERY rare…there was actually a segment on it on Mystery Diagnosis the other day, a case of a toddler with it. Very rare and life threatening..glad they figured it out before it took your life, an dyou are doing a good thing by making others aware of it. All the best.
Garvin keep the good faith ad be strong the Almighty is looking over you
I wish you all the best through this hard times. I also applaud you for coming out and talk about it. Be strong and God will guide you.
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Can arrangements be made with SAT to view the program. I would really love to be on board
I would really like for Marpin to repeat that programme, because i would really love to view it, but i am unable to see it on Monday night, because our novena is on. so pleaseeeeeeee Marpin repeat it.
A Saturday or Sunday evening?
I mean’t to call someone at Marpin to ask why is this young man reporting wearing shades at nights, and I kept putting it off. Thanks for telling me; I will be following the documentary tonight.
Garvin works at Marpin…. Guess thats why we wont see it on SAT! No need to bring down SAT.
Garvin, I never heard about that condition. I pray God continues to strenghten you and protect you.
No! You won’t see it on SAT because it is a MARPIN programme.
We just need to think before we ask stupid questions.
lol! true dat
what about SAT TV
what about Sat TV? You seeing Marpin, you asking about Sat? You foolish or what?
Wow! Sometimes you just dont know. Thats why i dont jump to conclusions about people and their situations
way to go. is time we start focusing on our own real people with real stories and stop promoting foreigners
and what about SAT viewers??? not fair..! and thats why i hate SAT. all their programming sucks!
Here goes your oppourtunity to switch to Marpin…
oh oh sad to know…i’ve heard someone ignorant said ‘ but why mister have an old vari so nah,always have a shades in his eyes day and night’…some people are just to quick to judge without knowing the person story….i will be glued on after the channel 5 news ;)
wow, I would have loved to see that. Very interesting, I have not known anyone back home with that.
It is a very scary condtion, can be potentially fatal, very strange and is definitely a side effect of a few drugs.
I wish Garvin the best and hope he continues to recover successfully.
WOW strength to strength Garvin. I wish this were available in the US to see. I also hope you explored the possibilites of making the Pharmaceutical house responsible. It will not give you your life back but will at least ease up some of your burden. Best wishes and stay strong
@Tri-State Beauty
What do you mean by: “it will not give him his Life back”? First of all, he is still in existence physically, and secondly he has moved closer to God, who gives us Life. It is now that he has his Life, because he is more aware now, how this Life came to him.
That is the reason he talks about “cherishing the things of Life” I just hope that the things he is cherishing are the things in harmony with Life, which is of God, to give Him the glory.
For your information, based on a conversation with him, he could not sue the drug company because he had not taken in on “US soil”. The drug had been recalled, but was still prescribed to him by a doctor at home, therefore, if any action should have been taken, it should have been in the Caribbean. Not sure though as to what laws are on the books for such actions. We want to compete with the world but our laws are still very much archaic. Garvin was blessed period and he has been living his life accordingly.