What do you get when you combine five talented, autistic children, a bunch of obsessive but incredibly loving parents, and one determined woman with a dream? Why, a musical, of course.A close friend of mine, Alex (not Aleks), is a speech therapist for disabled children. She adores all children, but she has a special place in her heart for autistic children. A couple of weeks ago, we drove almost an hour to the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, California to watch a documentary about autistic children. It's called "Autism: The Musical," and it is, without a doubt, the most deeply moving film I've ever seen.
The film follows five children and their families for six months as they attempt to put on a full length musical. It captures the triumphs and the struggles associated with any such event, this one made all the more poignant by the fact that the stars of this particular musical are all autistic.
It makes a strange kind of sense, really. One thing I've learned from Alex is that autistic kids develop their own ways of communicating through physical means, often through repetitive movements of some kind. Alex communicates with them by mimicking their movements. It is through this amazing interplay that a connection takes place, a connection on a new level that so few of us will ever get the joy of experiencing. When this happens, the children often feel they have found someone that finally understands them.
The woman who directs the musical, Elaine Hall, is the mother of an autistic boy named Neal. Upon losing faith in the traditional therapies available for her son, Elaine hired stage actors to work with him. Considering their line of work, it was only natural that they attempted to communicate with him by mimicking his actions. She later used these techniques to begin The Miracle Project, a theater and film arts program for special needs children, and the subject of the film.
I can honestly say that I've never paid much attention to the subject of autism. It's just not something I've ever really thought about, because it's not something that has ever affected me. Out of sight, out of mind, right? But this film, and meeting Alex, has changed all that. These kids are so full of love, affection, creativity, and intelligence, and they're just bursting to let it all out. I love that it's Alex's job to help them do so, and I love that a program like The Miracle Project exists. I thank the Lord that people like this exist.
I highly recommend watching this film. It is beautiful, powerful, touching, and emotionally charged. If you know someone who is autistic, and even if you don't, it is a must see. I defy you to watch this film without crying.
It makes its television premier on HBO tomorrow night, Tuesday, March 25th at 8pm. If you get HBO, watch this movie. It will also be available on DVD. Go to the film's website for pre-ordering details.
Prepare to be inspired.
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