What if one day, you woke up and found that you could no longer walk? What if you opened your mouth and couldn't form the words that you heard so clearly in your head? Who would you trust enough to speak for you?
Now imagine for a moment, that you have always lived that way.
Filmmaker, Eva Sweeney does not have to imagine this. A Pasadena resident, Sweeney, was born with a condition called cerebral palsy, which inhibits her ability to walk, speak, or use her muscles in conventional ways. Eva requires full-time assistance with everything from eating to communicating.
"Respect: The Joy of Aides" is Sweeney's first documentary film, which examines the relationship between people with disabilities and their aides. Sweeney is in a unique position to produce this film, as she is a member of the disabled community herself, and has extensive experience in the world of aides and their employers. Sweeney says of the project, " Some people with disabilities treat their aides as their hands or like servants. They don’t communicate openly, choosing instead to order them around. When those ‘relationships’ (if you can call it that) go sour, the family and friends in the disabled person’s life blame their aide and don’t look at both sides of the relationship. With my film, I hope to show a more balanced view of this complex partnership."
People from all walks of life are sure to enjoy "Respect: The Joy of Aides," because it’s ultimately a story about relationships; which everyone, disabled or not, can relate to. The documentary features the very talented comedian and playwright, Allison Cameron Gray, who talks about her own experiences in the disabled community as well as Sweeney's exploration of relationships with her aides and the balancing act that sometimes must be played between forming a friendship and maintaining a professional alliance. Among other featured talent, one of Ani Difranco’s Righteous Babe Records artists, Animal Prufrock, provided voice-over for the film.
The response to "Respect: The Joy of Aides" has been outstanding. Acclaimed novelist and screenwriter, Delia Ephron, said, “This documentary is smart, insightful, enlightening, beautifully made and moving in Eva's signature unsentimental and spirited way. I learned so much from it. It should be required watching for all members of the human race.” A physician from the Cleveland Clinic remarked, “I am recommending that this (documentary) be included in our curriculum at the medical school next year.”
With any luck, the documentary will also serve to educate people and give them a glimpse into a world many of us cannot even imagine. Through her unique perspective and sensitivity to the issues involved, Sweeney has created a film that not only explores a somewhat elusive culture between aides and their employers, but also raises the bar of standards on how aides should be hired and directed as employees. Sweeney challenges others with this film... she challenges them to ask the question..."Who would you turn to if you found yourself unable to speak... to move? Who would you respect enough to hire as your aide?"
A screening of "Respect: The Joy of Aides" with question and answer (Eva Sweeney, Allison Cameron Gray, and Animal Prufrock) will be held on April 20, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Downtown Independent (251 S. Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012). Tickets are free, but donations are appreciated.
Downtown Independent
251 S. Main St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
California law and regulation requires that regional centers display on their Web sites information about the dollar value of services they purchase for clients. These data (called "purchase of service" or "POS" data) must be reported separately by clients' ethnic/racial group, langauge and diagnosis.
¿Cuáles son sus necesidades de servicio actuales? ¡Responda la encuesta y avísenos!
Lanterman is seeking your feedback and assistance in completing a short survey so we can better understand the current service needs. This survey is for our community to complete, including clients, family members, service providers or community partners. Thank you in advance for your time!
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Lanterman busca sus comentarios y ayuda para completar una breve encuesta para que podamos comprender mejor las necesidades actuales del servicio. Esta encuesta es para que la complete nuestra comunidad, incluidos los clientes, los miembros de la familia, los proveedores de servicios o los socios comunitarios. ¡Gracias de antemano por su tiempo!
Regional centers must post information regarding how providers are doing with ensuring individuals served are part of their communities (Welfare and Institutions Code section 4519.2(b)). This information is to be updated at least every six months until DDS has determined that statewide compliance has been met.
El Internet está inundado de información y recursos sobre el Coronavirus (COVID-19) desde el nivel federal hasta el estatal y local. Comenzamos esta página para compartir algunos de los recursos e información que encontramos más útiles y accesibles, además de compartir información específica para Lanterman sobre cualquier efecto que esto tenga en nuestras operaciones, nuestros proveedores de servicios y la comunidad en general.
The Internet is awash in info and resources about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the federal to the state and local levels. We're starting this page to share some of the resources and info we found most helpful and accessible, plus to share information specific to Lanterman about any effects this is having on our operations, our service providers and community as a whole.
