Texas Survivor’s Story Inspires New Lifetime Movie

I am a sucker for a Lifetime movie! Yeah, sometimes they're cheesy, but sometimes they're so good, I forget they're a Lifetime movie! I especially love the ones based on true stories, and this new movie based on a Texas student's actual story of survival has just been added to my "must-watch" list!

Jamie Schanbaum was a University of Texas freshman when a sudden illness nearly took her life. Within hours, what felt like the flu turned into a fight against meningococcal meningitis and sepsis, costing her both legs below the knee and all her fingers. Now, the Austin native’s remarkable journey of survival and resilience is the inspiration behind Pretty Hurts, a new Lifetime movie streaming on Amazon Prime.

Starring fellow Texan Haylie Duff, the film shines a light on the deadly illness and the importance of vaccination- a message Jamie has spent years sharing with families across Texas and beyond.

The Texas Student who Inspired a Lifetime Movie

Before the cameras rolled, Jamie’s story was one of unimaginable pain and determination. In November 2008, she went from enjoying campus life at UT to lying in a hospital bed with only a 20% chance of survival. Her experience not only reshaped her future but also inspired a movement in Texas to raise awareness about meningococcal disease- and now, that same journey is taking center stage in a Lifetime film aimed at sparking crucial conversations among teens, parents, and communities.

For actress and Austin native Haylie Duff, the decision to take on Pretty Hurts was personal. Drawn to the film’s potential to make a social impact without feeling “too preachy,” Duff said Jamie’s journey resonated deeply with her as a parent. With two young daughters of her own, she saw the film as an opportunity to not only tell a powerful Texas story but also spark important conversations about meningitis prevention- especially for families with teens preparing for college life.

Today, Jamie Schanbaum lives in Brooklyn, continuing her work as an advocate for meningitis awareness while proving that survival is just the beginning of her story. Her fight led to the Jamie Schanbaum and Nicolis Williams Act in Texas, ensuring students get vaccinated before stepping onto a college campus.