A Family Healing - Coming to Terms with Intellectual Disabilities
This intimate family portrait made by one member of the family explores the impact of the developmental disability of a sibling on the interaction and relationships of the family as a whole. The program is divided into two 28-minute parts. Part One allows family members to open repressed lines of communication and express their feelings of guilt, resentment, over-protectiveness, embarrassment.
Questions about basic human rights and the sexuality of the intellectually disabled are also brought forward. Part Two focuses on long-standing family conflicts and misunderstandings that skew relationships when disabilities command attention...unequal sharing of responsibility, planning for future care, the special concern of parents for a child who will never really achieve full adulthood.
This program is an educational version of My Sister's Keepers presented in two 28-minute parts and distributed by Kinetic Inc., www.kineticvideo.com. They also distribute a companion video called Community Activists Discuss "A Family Healing."
"This is a fine, intelligent film and a rare one. Very little is available in film or any media that explores from an adult perspective the impact of one family member's developmental disability on the other member's development and relationships. The work is accurate in its' portrayal of the kinds of events, problems and feelings that occur in such a story. For those who may feel alone and isolated in similar stories there will be comfort and encouragement in knowing they are not alone in their struggles. For those who wish to learn, there is much to learn Ð about developmental disability and about the development of persons and families." - Dr. Glen Lawson, psychologist, Director of Adult Services Division, Surrey Place Centre
"A compelling and honest portrayal of the experiences of one family and how they dealt with the challenges of having a family member with an intellectual disability. A critical resource for all those concerned with ensuring that people with disabilities and their families are provided adequate support to facilitate inclusion in community life." - Manager, Information Services, The Roeher Institute
