by Helena Marrion-Cole
When Melbourne man Peter Chambers was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2020, he made a decision that would shape the rest of his life: he would choose happiness, no matter what the illness brought. From that moment, he led the way for his family and for himself. That philosophy became the heart of our short film I Choose Happiness –a project that began as a personal mantra shared with loved ones and followers of his YouTube channel, that has since grown into an award-winning, nationally broadcast film.
I’m a filmmaker with a passion for helping people living with disabilities tell their stories. I’ve had the privilege of assisting Pete with his creative endeavours since 2020, at the start of the pandemic, when his diagnosis led him to develop the deeply insightful mental-health philosophies that would go on to help so many around him.
When we learned about the Focus on Ability Film Festival, we knew it would be the perfect platform to share Peter’s message. His refusal to let MND steal his joy was already inspiring people online – along with his comical alter ego, “Cranky Pete,” whose beloved rants put the world to right one annoyance at a time.
It was clear he had a story audiences needed to hear: a celebration of resilience, told by a man with a huge heart and a wonderfully dry, quirky sense of humour.
To preserve Peter’s authenticity, we filmed almost entirely on mobile devices, using footage captured by Peter and those closest to him. The aim was to achieve something intimate and unfiltered – the kind of moments you only get when the camera is held by someone who loves you. His wife Lisa appears behind the lens often, her infectious laugh and wonderful chemistry with Pete filling out hearts. Because of Peter’s energy limitations, we always worked in short, flexible bursts on his terms. That rhythm shaped the film’s vignette-style structure just as much as the footage itself.
Peter’s vision was to show glimpses of his zest for life through short, snappy skits – photobombing his family on his mobility scooter, zooming around a shopping mall, eating a packet of chips while losing the use of his arms, or his family celebrating a successful mouthful of food eaten from a robotic feeding device (called an Obi). And of course, Cranky Pete had to make an appearance – you’ll spot him doing what he does best, like take a cheeky crack at The Beatles or poking fun at social-media influencers.
Peter brings the film full circle with powerful reflections on living with his illness. He describes his MND symptoms as “a punch in the face,” titling his opening monologue How to Survive Being Punched in the Face a Hundred Times a Day. “The punches keep coming, and they hurt” he says. “Over time, you realise you can keep going – and they become a part of who you are.
“One of my favourites was filming Shopping With a Disability – and How To Do It,” Peter chuckles. “I asked my mate Mark to pile more and more ridiculous items onto my lap as I zoomed around the supermarket in my wheelchair. Five jumbo tubs of Milo… about 15 packets of Tim Tams. Only casualty was Mark popping one of the seven bags of chips on the ground!”
Despite Pete’s impressive achievements caught on camera over the years, he wanted the film to remain deeply relatable. His humour comes from finding the silly in the everyday – part of what makes the film so helpful for others going through tough times. “Sometimes you just have to make your own fun,” Pete adds. “Like attempting the John Travolta strut from Staying Alive down the high street in your wheelchair.”
And this is the magic of the film. Pete’s fun-loving, easy-going attitude resonates with people, making audiences feel seen, uplifted, and inspired to celebrate the small joys in life. Beneath the laughter lies an unstoppable strength propelled by love – a love Pete hopes we all find within ourselves.
Acting as Peter’s hands in the editing process has always felt like both an honour and a great responsibility. As ideas developed, his vision became crystal clear. I always know his artistic choices will pop – he’s a natural creative! And of course, the edit style needed its own outside-the-box flair.
Focus on Ability hosted screenings across the country, so we headed to the Melbourne show to see the film on the big screen for the first time. As the lights dimmed, we felt a mix of nerves and excitement. What followed is something we’ll never forget. The room erupted with laughter at Peter’s comedic timing… it fell into a hushed, poignant stillness during the most tender moments… and then, when the film finished and applause filled the air, a feeling so profound washed over me as I saw Pete take it all in. We met in the foyer and, when I hugged him, we both broke down in tears. His message had touched everyone there.
We travelled to Sydney for the red-carpet awards ceremony – Peter, his family and a couple of lifelong friends, his carer Michelle, and me. The day was unforgettable. Peter gave an interview to SBS News, celebrities stepped onstage to present awards, and the theatre buzzed with filmmakers showcasing bold, powerful work.
And then it happened. I Choose Happiness was announced as the winner of Open Most Votes – the coveted Voter’s Choice Award – and the theatre exploded with cheers. As Pete took the stage with Lisa and his son Tyler beside him, his words did what he does best: put a smile on every face. The room was collectively moved, and the applause that followed felt like a monumental celebration of his bravery and his spirit.
On December 3rd, the film aired nationally on SBS, marking another milestone in this extraordinary journey.
“It was weird seeing myself on the TV,” Peter laughs. “Another new experience to say, ‘what the heck’ about – all great fun, and great to know the message is getting out there.”
Beyond the film, Peter is a passionate mental-health advocate. He has spoken at Australian Parliament, Richmond Football Club, the Melbourne Storm, and appeared on podcasts including Two & I with Jack Riewoldt and Shane McCurry, and Nick Bracks’ Move Your Mind. His YouTube channel offers practical tools for mindset, wellbeing, and positivity – always delivered with honesty and cracking humour.
Producing this film with Pete has been one of the great honours of my career, and his family have embraced me as one of their own from the moment we met. Peter has already pitched me his next film project, exploring one of his mental-health philosophies: The Happiness Loop.
Watch this space.
“The response to I Choose Happiness has made me even more determined,” he says. “If sharing my journey helps even one person, then that’s a job well done.”
I Choose Happiness will continue its festival run through 2026. The film is now available to stream on Peter’s website, where you can also support Peter’s mission by donating to his Fight MND fundraising page at peterchambersmnd.com.
