Feel Good moment

[Guest guest]

✟ JMJ ✟

It has been a long time since I have posted but I do read the posts, in my lame

attempt to keep up.

I just wanted to share with you a feel good moment in the hopes that it might

lift your day.

I have the pleasure of knowing the director (and his wife, the producer) of

Navis Pictures. It is a film company dedicated to making good films created

with just children , for the whole family to enjoy. Most of the films are based

on some theme or history of the Catholic faith. The current film they are

working on is " The War of the Vendee " about the maryters of the Vendee in France

during the revolutionary time. Long story short, a small village decides the

government will not take away their right to practice their faith and they rise

up against the French soldiers. Many faithful were killed in mass executions

etc. This movie deals with the war and uprising that eventually, years later,

led to Napoleon allowing the churches to be reopened.

ANYWAY, I digress.

I wanted you to know that there are three children with down syndrome in this

movie, two also autistic, including my own. Also a few other children with

special needs. Most of the families involved are homeschoolers and the film

makers wish to include ALL the children in the family. They are either

principals or extras but somehow included.

What a treat it was for me to witness the director today as he placed a young

boy, Vinny, who is autisic and has down syndrome on a step and included him in

the scene. He was so patient and caring and was able to get this boy (after

MANY takes) to do a simple gesture so he could be included in the movie with the

rest of his siblings. He was given a " part " , not just shoved in the background.

The scene was a priest leaving a church and this boy is on the steps. The

priest blesses him as he leaves and the boy is supposed to take his hand and

kiss it. I laughed as the director kept asking him to look into the priests

eyes and smile. Well, Vinny looked every where BUT at the actor. He did pick

his nose, rock and bounce. Take one. Then it was try, try again. Take 6! Take

7! etc.

Not once did anyone of the children or adults on the set get upset or impatient.

They all encouraged Vinny and continued to tell him what a great job he was

doing. Eventually, Vinny did look up at the actor who was able to make him

laugh inbetween takes so the cameras just started rolling. The actor (priest

character- a kid about 16 years old) gently took Vinny's hand , talked to him

and smiled and Vinny just naturally gave him a kiss. It was awesome and

everyone there cheered. The huge smile on that boys face, as everyone cheered,

will stay with me for a long time.

Just wanted to share a feel good moment.

Blessings,

in CT

mom to AJ, age 16, , age 13, age 9, trisomy 18 mosaic and

Birgitta age 8, trisomy 21, autistic and FASD

[Guest guest]

Wonderful!! Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my iPhone