I agree heartedly that films have the power to effect change. That is why I am still working on my feature film, "Thank You Please." It is the story of a mother who is fighting her ex to release her son with autism from a large institution where he has been abused." The goals of the film are two: 1) To be sure people never agree to institutionalize people with autism as intellectually disabled and 2) that they can legitimately communicate starting with support to type, and some advance to typing independently. It was originally called facilitated communication and got a bad rap in the early 90s. Professionals and parents got wise who practice it with children and adults and, now refer to it as supported typing, which can be interpreted many ways - even as only emotional support. I am the parent of an adult with autism who uses "supported typing" but has never advanced to independence because he has tremors. He has, however, written a 20-page book about his life with my support. "Not being able to speak is not the same thing as not having anything to say," is the motto of Syracuse University that brought the concept of supported typing to the US. It was first developed in Australia. I wrote the original treatment for "TYP" - would you believe - 45 years ago and signed an agreement with my then friend who was a screenwriter and later professor of film to write it as a team and split any proceeds 50/50. That friend became my husband 20 years ago and died on New Year's Eve 2023. I've tried many avenues to develop TYP and now am considering investing in a UK movie with Bill Nighy in the lead, hoping the producer will take on my project as her next one. She has already succeeded with others like "The Kids Are All Right." Fingers crossed.
That's incredibly special, Stacey!
Thank you Nanou!
I agree heartedly that films have the power to effect change. That is why I am still working on my feature film, "Thank You Please." It is the story of a mother who is fighting her ex to release her son with autism from a large institution where he has been abused." The goals of the film are two: 1) To be sure people never agree to institutionalize people with autism as intellectually disabled and 2) that they can legitimately communicate starting with support to type, and some advance to typing independently. It was originally called facilitated communication and got a bad rap in the early 90s. Professionals and parents got wise who practice it with children and adults and, now refer to it as supported typing, which can be interpreted many ways - even as only emotional support. I am the parent of an adult with autism who uses "supported typing" but has never advanced to independence because he has tremors. He has, however, written a 20-page book about his life with my support. "Not being able to speak is not the same thing as not having anything to say," is the motto of Syracuse University that brought the concept of supported typing to the US. It was first developed in Australia. I wrote the original treatment for "TYP" - would you believe - 45 years ago and signed an agreement with my then friend who was a screenwriter and later professor of film to write it as a team and split any proceeds 50/50. That friend became my husband 20 years ago and died on New Year's Eve 2023. I've tried many avenues to develop TYP and now am considering investing in a UK movie with Bill Nighy in the lead, hoping the producer will take on my project as her next one. She has already succeeded with others like "The Kids Are All Right." Fingers crossed.
Sounds like an amazing project Carole - best of luck with it! 🤞