The Dignity Revolution Film Festival Rocked!

Many thanks to all of you for turning out for the Dignity Revolution Film Festival.  Over 150 people joined us for the films and discussions that followed.

 

 

 

I want to extend a warm thank you to each of Lisa Nasser, Chris and Chris Hunnicutt (affectionately known by us as “Chris Squared”), Philip Modesitt and Judith Stanley, and Laura Nadine and Karen Barineau. We learned so much from each of them about treating everyone equally, regardless of abilities, and the tremendous need for living intentionally inclusive lives in our community.  Each of our moderators shared personal stories which inspired the audience and me. Insightful questions were asked, thoughtful answers were given and each of us benefited and grew from the experience.

 

 

 

Lisa Nasser so eloquently discussed the various characters in Finding Nemo and helped the children in the audience process the “diffabilities” addressed by the film.

 

 

 

Chris Hunnicutt and his father, Chris Hunnicutt, discussed the importance of inclusion and the challenges of helping differently-abled children live independent and productive lives.

 

 

 

Philip Modesitt and his mother, Judith Stanley, shared the importance of setting goals, persistence and the importance of inclusion and acceptance.

 

 

 

Laura Nadine and Karen Barineau related how sensory issues and processing impact the daily lives of people on the autism spectrum, and the importance of inclusion and acceptance by neurotypical peers in schools. Laura shared how her musical gifts and film making talents developed and facilitated inclusion in her communities.

We can’t wait for the 2013 Dignity Revolution Film Festival next fall here at Padeia School.  We will advertise early for next year’s Dignity Revolution Film Festival so you can save the date.

We are also developing a “Dignity Revolution Film Festival Handbook” to pass on to other high school and college students so they can replicate the day and host a Dignity Revolution Film Festival in their communities.  Would you like to sponsor a Dignity Revolution film Festival at your school, church or other community organization? Contact us and we will help you!

Best wishes to all and remember, everyone deserves dignity and respect regardless of differences.  Spread the word about the Dignity Revolution!

Join us Today for the Dignity Revolution Film Festival!

We look forward to seeing you today at the Dignity Revolution Film Festival at the Paideia School Theater.  Here are directions to Paideia School.  Here is a Campus Map to find the Theater.  We will have Starbucks coffee, Krispy Kreme donuts and Panera bagels for the first two shows and Papa John’s pizza and Subway sandwiches for the second two shows.  Of course, we will have drinks and something for our gluten free friends, too!  Join us for one film or for all four!

The Viewing Schedule for today is as follows:

FINDING NEMO—9:00 AM SHARP

Lisa Nasser, Moderator for Finding Nemo

Preschool Educational Diagnostician with DeKalb County Schools.  Lisa  is a former teacher with 15 years of experience  teaching a variety of age levels in various settings including resource room, and general classroom, regular education and special education.

PRAYING WITH LIOR—11:00 AM SHARP

Christopher Hunnicutt, Moderator for Praying with Lior

Keynote Speaker at the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Meeting in July 2012.  In 2009, Chris began the inclusive post-secondary education program at Kennesaw State University.  This is the first program of this type in Georgia and Chris was one of the first three students.  He graduated in May 2011, and now has begun his journey into independent adulthood.

DOOR TO DOOR—1:20 PM SHARP

Phillip Modesitt, Moderator for Door to Door

Inspiring student who is dedicated to others with “diffabilities.” Born on November 21, 1989, with Cerebral Palsy, Phillip is very active in his community. In the Atlanta public school system, Phillip helped organize his classmates’ participation in the JDRF walk to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. He currently attends the University of West Georgia, where he is studying French. Last summer, Phillip completed an internship at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Atlanta. He hopes to someday to become an advocate for people with “diffabilities.”

SNOW CAKE—3:30 PM SHARP

Laura Nadine, Moderator for Snow Cake

Gifted musician and filmmaker. “Music and I, we are the same,” says violinist Laura Nadine, whose life with Asperger’s has been a blessing, as well as a challenge. Laura’s first film project My Violin Cries (2009) was developed for a film competition at Agnes Scott College. Laura worked as the director, actor, writer, composer, film editor and performed the entire soundtrack. My Violin Cries won Honorable Mention at the ASC Film Festival.

Karen Barineau, Moderator for Snow Cake

Autism Specialist for DeKalb County School System.  Karen has 22 years of experience working with students with disabilities. Karen consults with teachers on behavior, curriculum and instruction, and communication differences.  She helps parents and educators implement strategies in their classroom and home environment. She has presented training for parents and professionals on a local, state, and national level.

See you TODAY, November 10th!  Join the Dignity Revolution!

Tomorrow is the Dignity Revolution Film Festival!

The inaugural Dignity Revolution Film Festival is tomorrow, November 10th at the Paideia School Theater. I hope to see each of you there.  We will have Starbucks coffee, Krispy Kreme donuts and Panera bagels for the first two shows and Papa John’s pizza and Subway sandwiches for the second two shows.  Of course, we will have drinks and something for our gluten free friends, too!  Join us for one film or for all four!

Let’s make this just the first of many Dignity Revolution Film Festivals at Paideia, in Georgia, and all over the United States.  Just think, here is an opportunity for us to celebrate differences and dignity, while watching interesting films and learning from moderators with incredible personal stories and experiences.

I want to thank my kind and generous sponsors for supporting my Girl Scout Gold Award Project and making the 2012 Dignity Revolution Film Festival possible:  Paideia School, Michael Martin of MWMartin Communications,  Jennifer Bell of Well Done Design, Ilana Trachtman (Director of Praying with Lior), Intown Ace Hardware-Decatur, Krispy Kreme on Ponce de Leon, Kroger at Sage Hill, Panera Bread at Emory Village, Papa John’s at Emory, Starbucks at Emory Village, and Subway.

48 Hours until The Dignity Revolution Film Festival!

I am so excited!  Only 48 hours until the start of the Dignity Revolution Film Festival.   Four awesome films, four inspiring stories, and one day of celebrating differences and dignity. Please join us this Saturday, November 10th in support of the Dignity Revolution!

A  special thanks to our gifted moderators for sharing their personal stories, experiences and expertise:

FINDING NEMO—9:00 AM

Lisa Nasser, Moderator for Finding Nemo Preschool Educational Diagnostician with DeKalb County Schools.  Lisa  is a former teacher with 15 years of experience  teaching a variety of age levels in various settings including resource room, and general classroom, regular education and special education.

PRAYING WITH LIOR—11:00 AM

Christopher Hunnicutt, Moderator for Praying with Lior

Keynote Speaker at the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Meeting in July 2012.  In 2009, Chris began the inclusive post-secondary education program at Kennesaw State University.  This is the first program of this type in Georgia and Chris was one of the first three students.  He graduated in May 2011, and now has begun his journey into independent adulthood.

DOOR TO DOOR—1:20 PM

Phillip Modesitt, Moderator for Door to Door

Inspiring student who is dedicated to others with “diffabilities.” Born on November 21, 1989, with Cerebral Palsy, Phillip is very active in his community. In the Atlanta public school system, Phillip helped organize his classmates’ participation in the JDRF walk to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. He currently attends the University of West Georgia, where he is studying French. Last summer, Phillip completed an internship at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Atlanta. He hopes to someday to become an advocate for people with “diffabilities.”

SNOW CAKE—3:30 PM

Laura Nadine, Moderator for Snow Cake

Gifted musician and filmmaker. “Music and I, we are the same,” says violinist Laura Nadine, whose life with Asperger’s has been a blessing, as well as a challenge. Laura’s first film project My Violin Cries (2009) was developed for a film competition at Agnes Scott College. Laura worked as the director, actor, writer, composer, film editor and performed the entire soundtrack. My Violin Cries won Honorable Mention at the ASC Film Festival.

Karen Barineau, Moderator for Snow Cake

Autism Specialist for DeKalb County School System.  Karen has 22 years of experience working with students with disabilities. Karen consults with teachers on behavior, curriculum and instruction, and communication differences.  She helps parents and educators implement strategies in their classroom and home environment. She has presented training for parents and professionals on a local, state, and national level.

See you this Saturday, November 10th!  Join the Dignity Revolution!

Tim Shriver: Introduction to the 2012 Dignity Revolution Film Festival

Many thanks to Tim Shriver, Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, for this wonderful introduction to the 2012 Dignity Revolution Film Festival.  Click on this link to hear his remarks.

Tim Shriver’s Introduction to the 2012 Dignity Revolution Film Festival

Hi, I’m Susannah. It was my privilege to meet Tim Shriver at a reception at my house for L’Arche Atlanta in June 2012.  Tim spoke of the “Dignity Revolution,” and how all individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.  I strongly believe that we need to educate people about accepting, including and respecting individuals with “diffabilities.” 

To me, the Dignity Revolution is a civil rights struggle.  I knew that I needed to spread the message of inclusion and acceptance in my community.  I thought film would be the best medium to enlighten social conscienceness for multiple age groups and varying levels of sophistication.  The result:  four films that speak to a variety of “diffabilities” and are aimed at a range of ages and interest levels. 

The moderators who have volunteered to assist me are gifted and talented in ways I can only aspire to ever reach.  We will all learn from the 2012 Dignity Revolution Film Festival–from the films, from the generosity of the moderators who share their experiences and expertise, and from each other as we discuss the importance of acceptance and inclusion in our community.

Meet Phillip Modesitt: Moderator for Door to Door

Phillip Modesitt was born on November 21, 1989, with Cerebral Palsy. His parents were told he would never walk and his abilities would be limited. Clearly, Phillip had a different plan. Phillip did learn to walk and he entered into the Atlanta public school system, in mainstream classes. In fact, Phillip helped organize his classmates’ participation in the JDRF walk to find a cure for Type 1 diabetes. In 2007 Phillip received third place honors in the Atlanta Council of PTAs literature competition. Phillip was in the top ten percent of his class during all four years of high school. In 2009, Phillip graduated from North Atlanta High School as a recipient of the HOPE Scholarship. He currently attends the University of West Georgia, where he is studying French.

In addition to his academic success, Phillip enjoys horseback riding, basketball, skiing and golf. Phillip also enjoys traveling and was able to practice his French during a visit to Brittany, Normandy and Paris. He is active in his community, volunteering as an aid at the Atlanta International School’s French summer program. Last summer, Phillip completed an internship at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Atlanta. This cause is very important to Phillip, since he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in middle school. Phillip is an active member of Trinity Presbyterian Church. Phillip hopes to someday have his own condo and become an advocate for people with “diffabilities”.

Meet Laura Nadine: Moderator for Snow Cake

 

“Music and I, we are the same,” says violinist Laura Nadine, whose life with Asperger’s has been a blessing, as well as a challenge. Laura Nadine Hickson was born on Feburary 28, 1977 in Decatur, Georgia. She was raised in Lilburn, Georgia the youngest of four siblings. At age 3, Laura began dance lessons,along with her sister Rain, at the Atlanta Dance Works. Laura immediately took to tap and seemed to have a strong on-stage presence. She danced alongside her teachers Barry Thomas (from Broadway’s A Chorus Line) and Patrick McCann (from Broadway’s Mame) in feature performances and in a yearly Christmas ballet called La Boutique Fantasque. At age 10, she began to take violin lessons with Stefanie Graef (Rollins) Carr. As a student of the Suzuki Method, Laura progressed quickly. She was touted by locals as a musical prodigy for her ability to play songs after only hearing them once and her adult like musical expression. Over the next few years Laura received high praise and recognition for her performances including two Georgia state titles.

Laura’s first film project My Violin Cries (2009) was developed for a film competition at Agnes Scott College. A psychology major with no prior film experience, Laura borrowed a video camera from the college and went to work. Laura worked as the director, actor, writer, composer, film editor and performed the entire soundtrack. My Violin Cries won Honorable Mention at the ASC Film Festival.

Laura will be moderating Snow Cake with Karen Barineau.  We are so privileged to have them both available to share their experiences and expertise about autism spectrum disorders.

Meet Christopher Hunnicutt: Moderator for Praying with Lior

 

Christopher Hunnicutt was born and raised in DeKalb County, Georgia where he participated in the public education system.  Much of his learning focused on inclusive environments with typical students.  After finishing Lakeside High School with his same age peers, Chris attended Chamblee Charter School.  There he took courses of personal interest and volunteered in the community. 

From his mid-teens, Christopher wanted to go to college.  In 2009, he began the inclusive post-secondary education program at Kennesaw State University.  This is the first program of this type in Georgia and Chris was one of the first three students.  He graduated in May 2011, and now has begun his journey into independent adulthood.   

Chris has begun pursuing a career path in ministry and social justice. Chris is interested in Chaplaincy Ministry with a technology component, and is training a Therapy dog to reach out to individuals in assisted-living settings and children in hospitals.  Since graduation, he has presented across the state to families, professionals and educators on the topics of “THINK College” and “Employment First”.  He presented “The Value of Vision” as the Keynote Speaker at the National Down Syndrome Congress Annual Meeting in July 2012.  In October 2012, he presented, in collaboration with his dad, on “Living the Good Life” to professionals associated with the Georgia Chapter of the Association of People Supporting EmploymentFirst (APSE).

For his personal development, Chris continues to pursue his martial arts skills, he is a second degree black belt; and works out at the Decatur YMCA a couple days a week.  He rides horses and volunteers at Stride Ahead, a therapeutic riding program at Little Creek Farms, in DeKalb County. Chris is also involved in the choir at his church, Briarcliff Baptist, and a couple of Bible studies, one in the community with other men.  One of his additional desires is to development more friends in the community and to build more and new relationships. 

Chris was active in volunteering for the recent L’Arche International Assembly in July 2012 held at Agnes Scott and really was challenged and inspired by those experiences and friendships.

Chris lives independently and, to support his lifestyle, he has two jobs in the community.  One he has held over 6 years and another has been in place about 7 months.  He works about 20 hours a week in a competitive environment with typical coworkers.  He is also working to establish a local business becoming a “third great space”.  

Oh, BTW, Chris has Down Syndrome.

Meet Lisa Nasser: Moderator for Finding Nemo

Lisa Nasser is a Preschool Educational Diagnostician with DeKalb County Schools. In her current position, she administers and interprets psycho-educational and/or developmental tests for students with learning, developmental, and/or emotional disabilities. She provides information on child development issues to school personal and parents for program development and student placement ensuring compliance with federal, state and district policies. Ms. Nasser works on a diagnostic team making recommendations for the intellectual, adaptive, academic, social and emotional development of children.

She is a former teacher with 15 years of experience teaching a variety of age levels in various settings including resource room, and general classroom, regular education and special education. For the past five years, she taught in an inclusive classroom at Coralwood School as a special education and regular education teacher where she implemented research-based interventions to promote social integration, academic achievement, language, and social competence among typically developing children and children with special needs. She has experience and extensive training in positive behavioral supports along with a deep interest in social competence building. Ms. Nasser has a M.Ed. in early childhood special/regular education from Georgia State University is married to David Nasser and the mother of four children.

Meet Karen Barineau: Moderator for Snow Cake

Karen Hamilton Barineau is an Autism Specialist for DeKalb County Schools. She has 22 years of experience working with students with disabilities. Ms. Barineau believes that providing structure and organization on a child’s level of understanding can help to alleviate or moderate problems that arise. She has strong skills in developing visual supports, implementing augmentative communication, and solving behavior problems.

In her current job, Ms. Barineau consults with teachers on behavior, curriculum and instruction, and communication differences.  She helps parents and educators implement strategies in their classroom and home environment. Ms. Barineau also provides district level training on the Georgia Performance Standards for individuals with disabilities, Autism Understanding, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention.  She has presented training for parents and professionals on a local, state, and national level.