Wretches and Jabberers in Madison and Milwaukee

[Guest guest]

HI all,

This film is a must see. Illinois hosted these exceptional men a few years ago

in a training to help support communication for people who have complex

movement, sensory and neurological needs.

Partridge

In Wretches & Jabberers, two men with autism embark on a global quest to change

attitudes about disability and intelligence. Determined to put a new face on

autism, Thresher, 42, and Larry Bissonnette, 52, travel to Sri Lanka,

Japan and Finland. At each stop, they dissect public attitudes about autism and

issue a hopeful challenge to reconsider competency and the future.

Growing up, Thresher and Bissonnette were presumed " retarded " and excluded from

normal schooling. With limited speech, they both faced lives of social isolation

in mental institutions or adult disability centers. When they learned as adults

to communicate by typing, their lives changed dramatically. Their world tour

message is that the same possibility exists for others like themselves.

Between moving and transformative encounters with young men and women with

autism, parents and students, Thresher and Bissonnette take time to explore

local sights and culture; dipping and dodging through Sri Lankan traffic in

motorized tuk-tuks, discussing the purpose of life with a Buddhist monk and

finally relaxing in a traditional Finnish sauna. Along the way, they reunite

with old friends, expand the isolated world of a talented young painter and make

new allies in their cause.

From beginning to end, Thresher and Bissonnette inspire parents and young men

and women with autism with a poignant narrative of personal struggle that always

rings with intelligence, humor, hope and courage

This message is coming to you from Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan, a member of the

ASSEW and Autism Society of Wisconsin board. I am also a member of the national

board of the Autism Society of America and am excited to announce that Milwaukee

Mayfair Mall and Madison Fitchburg Star has been selected to host a screening of

Wretches & Jabberers. The screening in Milwaukee is on April 9, 2011 at 12 p.m.

The screenings in Madison is on April 23, 2011 at 12 pm.

The Autism Society of America hopes you are as excited as we are for this tour,

which will take place at 40 AMC theatres across the country to commemorate

National Autism Awareness Month

We strongly believe the documentary will bring awareness to the reality of the

challenges faced by adults with autism while celebrating their potential. If you

have not yet watched the trailer, please check it out here:

www.wretchesandjabberers.org<http://www.wretchesandjabberers.org/>. Our

corporate partner, AMC Theatres, has agreed to show this film in April during

autism awareness month. This is a significant investment on their part, but in

line with their dedication to autism, especially in the area of employment and

family recreation.

http://www.facebook.com/AutismSociety

www.twitter.com/AutismSociety<http://www.twitter.com/AutismSociety>

www.wretchesandjabberers.org<http://www.wretchesandjabberers.org>

http://www.facebook.com/WretchesandJabberers

Please feel free to contact at

aglensky@...<mailto:aglensky@...> or 301-657-0881

x 9015 if you have questions. Thank you for your help! We're looking forward to

a great April!

L. Lynn Stansberry Brusnahan, Ph.D.

University of St.

Assistant Professor - Department of Special Education

School of Education - College of Applied Professional Studies

Autism Spectrum Disorder Programming

1000 LaSalle Avenue MOH 217

Minneapolis, MN 55403

Phone 651-962-4397 Cell 414-759-8917

Email llstansberry@...

*Best reached by email

Jan Serak, M.A.

WI FACETS Executive Co-Director

Co-Director, Parent Training & Information Center

Co-Director, Region 4 Parent TA Center

Partner, WI Special Education Mediation System

2714 N. Dr. Luther King Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212

414-374-4645 ex. 102, 877-374-0511 (toll free), 414-374-4655 (fax)

jserak@...<mailto:jserak@...>,

www.wifacets.org<http://www.wifacets.org/>,

www.Region4TA.us<http://www.region4ta.us/>

WI FACETS is not a legal services agency and cannot provide legal advice or

legal representation. Any information contained in this message is not intended

as legal advice and should not be used as a substitution for legal advice.

Pleaseconsider a tax-deductable donation to help us continue to support families

and children with disabilities. It's easy - just use the " Donate Now " button on

our website: www.wifacets.org<http://www.wifacets.org/>.