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"Dandy Kids Documentary" Sneak Preview
For Immediate Release: January 19, 2008
Contact: Darla Rae 720-620-0536
Denver, CO - Film It Productions, Inc. and Director Darla Rae
today announced the overwhelmingly positive response to the
January 17th private screening of Ms. Rae’s new documentary
“Dandy Kids”. “Dandy Kids” tells the story of Ms. Rae’s great
nephew, Hunter, who was diagnosed before birth with Dandy Walker
Syndrome, a brain malformation of the cerebellum, leading to a
variety of health concerns, including autism, heart problems,
and spina bifida. While making the film, Ms. Rae came into
contact with thousands of families, worldwide, whose children
have also been diagnosed with Dandy Walker Syndrome. As part of
the film, Ms. Rae interviewed several of those families, as well
as doctors and researchers knowledgeable about Dandy Walker
Syndrome, and (R) US Congresswoman Heather Wilson and (D) US
Congressman Chris Van Hollen, co-sponsors of House Congressional
Resolution 163 which directs the NIH to use already allocated
funds to research the causes of and treatments for Dandy Walker
Syndrome.
The private screening was held in Denver, CO for the families
who participated in making the film, members of the press, and
benefactors of “Dandy Kids”. Eric Cole, Founder of the Dandy
Walker Alliance, said, “What you’ve done is to bring together
families in a forum that never existed before. You’ve provided
hope for a community where there previously was none”.
Ms. Rae, the director of the award winning feature film “The
Goal”, said, “I am so moved by the families’ response to “Dandy
Kids”. I set out to tell the story of my great nephew, Hunter,
and how his diagnosis of Dandy Walker Syndrome affected our
family, but the film turned out to be so much more once the
other families became involved. It means so much to me to
finally meet them in person and to know that they are happy with
the way I’ve told their stories.”
Nashville recording artist, originally from Gadsden, AL, Laura
Dodd, whose song “Song Bird” was written for the film was in
attendance and performed prior to the screening. Ms. Dodd spoke
after the screening about how moved she was, and thanked Ms. Rae
for making a film that will help so many families connect with
each other and get the help and resources they need.
The film was introduced by Colorado Film Commissioner, Kevin
Shand, who spoke about the history of filmmaking in Colorado and
the need to support independent filmmakers like Ms. Rae and
films like “Dandy Kids”.
Leigh Ann Hubbard, managing editor of “James Hubbard’s My Family
Doctor”, said, “I was privileged to see “Dandy Kids” at the
sneak preview last night The movie begins with Darla Rae
recounting a phone call from her pregnant niece: Her child is
missing part of his brain. Doctors are encouraging her to
terminate. The disorder is called Dandy Walker syndrome. Soon,
we are invited into intimate conversations of other parents of
kids with the rare disorder. Through interviews with doctors,
researchers and parents, “Dandy Kids” explores these questions,
all the while drawing us into what it must be like to be faced
with the awesome responsibility of researching your child’s
disorder because even your own doctors don’t know about it. At
the end of the film last night, there wasn’t a dry eye in the
house. And yet, it wasn’t depressing. It was hopeful.”
For more information visit:
www.dandykidsdocumentary.com
and:
www.dandy-walker.org
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