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Side by Side is part one of a series about Micah Bea-Taylor, who has cerebral palsy and his family's efforts to give him a quality life. Produced from over 500 hours of intimately documented video footage of Micah's first thirty years, filmmaker Ron Taylor takes you on a journey of the heart through the reality of his son's life. This film will positively effect popular perceptions about the quality of life for children with disabilities and their families. Ron’s 34-year documentation of his son Micah portrays a new nurturing paradigm. As important as the facts and themes in his son Micah’s development, there are lessons in human relationships that reveal a more inclusive, loving society that all parents, professionals, and educators can enjoy. |
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Ron documents every significant aspect of his son Micah’s development with Cerebral Palsy, portraying the realities of family life including educational experiences from preschool to high school and beyond graduation. Evolving technologies, attitudes and social services that are available for children with disabilities, appear in this documentation of Micah's life over the last 34 years. Filmed 11 years in Boulder Colorado, 13 years in Palm Beach Florida, 6 years in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and 4 years "back again" in Boulder, this artfully constructed film advances our understanding of the evolving practices and attitudes that provide reciprocal benefits to family and friends, caregivers and professionals, and supporters in the disability movement. |
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Micah connects This film answers most questions about nurturing children with special needs, and it celebrates a family's transformative life that models lessons for all nurturers. It shows the love and devotion that parents and educators can apply to the nurturing of all children. Ron's answer is simply that most parents strive to meet the unique potentials of their children so that the children can be the best that they can be. Even the nurturers realize the reciprocal benefits in their personal growth and fulfilling careers that come with this kind of caregiving. |
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It takes a special village I am always interacting with my son and the other participants in this film through my personal, documentary-style of my being a One Man Crew. I achieve a realism and spontaneity that attains an artistic touch beyond the professionalism of lights, camera, action! My son and I have a special relationship as every nurturing partnership is! The presence of the camera and the many viewings of this film, as it has matured over the years, has enriched Micah's self awareness and will enlighten contemporary audiences. |
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It is my absolute pleasure to recommend the movie “Side by Side” by filmmaker Ron Taylor. “Side by Side” tells the true story of Micah, a young man with significant disabilities making his way through the world. Micah’s story is inspiring, of course, but the movie is about so much more than his journey. It is the story of the people in Micah’s life – his family, his friends, his caregivers – and the efforts they make to ensure that Micah can experience all life has to offer in spite of his many challenges. Those stories are at times touching, funny, heartwarming, and occasionally sad. If it indeed takes a village to raise a child, “Side by Side” takes the viewer into a village that is both unique and yet entirely relatable. The “villagers” in the movie are compelling characters who instantly endear themselves to the audience, and viewers are pulled into multiple interwoven story arcs that remain compelling throughout.
Micah has received services from Imagine! for many years. So, I know his story and what a remarkable person he is. That is why I feel qualified to say how impressed I am with Ron’s ability to tell Micah’s story in such a way that everyone can understand and feel like they are participants in Micah’s journey, not just those of us with an everyday view of this world. |
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Sincerely,
Fred Hobbs Director of Public Relations Imagine! Lafayette, Colorado www.imaginecolorado.org |
