How Virtual Reality Paved the Way for This Stroke Victim's Recovery
For most, a meaningful Hari Raya is about forgiveness and strengthening bonds between loved ones. While that’s all good and true, internet provider Digi chose to focus on the fulfillment of spiritual duties during Ramadan leading into Syawal. In a moving true story, a new film from Naga DDB Tribal and agency Motiofixo shows what happens when ill health robs you of the ability to fulfill that duty.
Entitled 'Reality Hero,' the 5-minute video captures the journey of Md Zin’s recovery from a major stroke suffered 6 months ago. Willpower, coupled with VR technology and powered by a great internet connection, enabled an uplifting story of the collaboration between technology and the human spirit.
Alvin Teoh, executive creative director, Naga DDB Tribal shared: “This happened a year ago when we were meeting up with Motiofixo and just trading ideas over Teh-Tarik and they told us about their experiments with VR physiotherapy and we knew we just had to bring it to life.”
“We have been working on the project very close to our hearts for the past two years. And with this collaboration with Naga DDB Tribal and Digi, we could take the awareness to the next level and from there hopefully we are able to accelerate the development of modules, do more testing and ultimately build something sustainable for the benefit of the patients” said Fariz Hanapiah, creative director from Motiofixo.
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Kevin Teh, head of brand management from Naga DDB Tribal added: “We knew VR physiotherapy works. The question was how could Digi play a role in taking this technology further? Many such patients reside in areas far from hospitals. Having to travel back and forth for physiotherapy often took a toll on patients and their family members. We knew that Digi could make a difference by bringing the treatment to the patients instead – all that was needed was a good Internet connection which Digi, as Malaysia’s largest network, could deliver.”
“It is indeed inspiring to see how the spirit of young Malaysians and technology can come together for good. At the end of the day technology soars highest when it’s powered by the human spirit. In this case, the spirit of innovation from the team at Motiofixo and UiTM coupled with the undying spirit to recovery from Md Zin. A truly humbling experience for all of us who are part of the project. This would not be possible without our undying passion from our partners – Motiofixo, UiTM, Naga DDB Tribal and Mojo Films,” said Bernard Lee, head of marketing services, Digi Telecommunications.
Alvin added: “We chose to work with someone who understood the complexities of creating a documercial, someone who could create-on-the-go because unlike a scripted story, we’re not in total control of the outcome. That someone was Barney Chua, who basically treated the project not just as a film but as a journey. What was before us was real life and had to treated with sensitivity and respect.”
“We all know that tech is pretty awesome and what it does can be inspiring. But it’s humbling to realise that if not for the human spirit triumphing, innovation would be inconsequential. Where would technology be without human values? So in this story, we’re celebrating the people and their beliefs, not just the festivities alone,” commented Barney Chua, director from Mojo Films.
Md Zin’s willpower is the key ingredient to the success of this story. Without it, no matter how powerful the technology or network connection, all would have been in vain. This Raya, Mat Zin taught all of us a very important, but often forgotten value: where there’s a will, there’s a way.
