The Frog Prince

I wanted to spread the word about this amazing documentary about some most amazing people. I have a personal connection because my friends' son, Ray-Man, plays the Frog Prince.  He is a true inspiration.  I wish for Maya all the wonderful things that Ray-Man is accomplishing.  ALL the actors in this production were wonderful.   They were treated with respect and courtesy, talked to as any actor should be spoken to, and the end result is glorious!  

"This documentary follows a young theatre troupe as they work tirelessly to put together a play under extraordinary circumstances. All twenty members of the cast face intellectual and developmental disabilities. They must work through their personal struggles, hopes and fears under the creative and therapeutic direction of a charismatic mentor and trained theatre director at The Centre for the Arts in Human Development at Concordia University. Let the drama begin."

CBC Montreal presents: The Frog Princes

http://www.cbc.ca/montreal/features/cbcmontrealpresents/the-frog-princes/

31 for 21, Day 12: I'm down with you

I know I've mentioned this book before, when it was still in progress. Well now the book is here and it is available. You can purchase it on Amazon.   Jagatjoti S. Khalsa is also doing book signings at different locations. I found out last week that he is coming here for a book signing at the end of the month.

To go along with this book they are working on a documentary.  Here's the latest trailer.  Honestly it brought tears to my eyes.  

Please do check out their website.  Beautiful photographs are previewed on the site.  Amazing, just amazing work.  It shows the beauty within us all.

 

31 for 21, Day 11: Monica and David

I'm so excited to see the documentary Monica and David, winner of the best documentary feature at the Tribeca Film Festival.  It's airing this Thursday on HBO.  So set your DVR, VCR or Tivo if you live in the US.   It's so awesome that they are showing this documentary on HBO and at a decent time, 8 pm/7c. Check out HBO's preview here.  

Monica and David are also on facebook.  They are always updating their page with photos of all their adventures.   Check out their website: http://www.monicaanddavid.com/

Oh and here's an article from newsweek.
 

monica and david

so excited to see this documentary.  there are a few screenings of it this summer one of them at the National Down Syndrome Congress Convention in florida.   so if you are going there check it out and let me know what you think.  i hear it will also be shown on hbo in october.  i can't wait!

check out the trailer at,  http://www.monicaanddavid.com/
they are also on facebook and twitter.  spread the word.  =)


synopsis:
MONICA & DAVID explores the marriage of two adults with Down syndrome and the family who strives to support their needs.  Monica and David are blissfully in love and want what other adults have—an independent life.  Full of humor, romance and everyday family drama, the film uses intimate fly-on-the wall footage to reveal the complexity of their story.  While Monica and David are capable beyond expectations, their parents, aware of mainstream rejection of adults with intellectual disabilities, have trouble letting go.

a mother's courage: talking back to autism

a mother's courage: talking back to autism

thought i'd write a little something about a documentary i watched recently. i just happened to find it on hbo and dvr'd the movie. the music was amazing and the way they played out the story was so beautiful. it was real and down to earth...and in the end very encouraging.

summary:

A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism (a.k.a The Sunshine Boy), a documentary by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, tells the story of Margret, a mother who has done everything in her power to help her son. Keli is eleven years old and is severely autistic - his mother doesn't even know if he understands Icelandic, let alone other languages. Even if Margret holds no unrealistic expectations on behalf of Keli, she has the quenchless thirst for knowledge about the mysterious and complex condition that autism undeniably is. Along they way, Margret meets other families and hears their unique stories about how they too have been touched by autism.

On a course set to include the United States and Europe, she meets with scientists in the field of autism and autism therapies and the parents of autistic children who share her passion: to break down the wall between the children and the surrounding world. This journey becomes lengthier and more dramatic than she envisioned at the start. During the trip, she catches a glimpse of hope that her son can be helped to a larger degree than previously assumed.

Perhaps it is possible to break down the wall of autism and get to know the individual behind it?