Synopsis:
Each child's life reveals the obvious, clarifies the confusing, and inspires all.

This documentary highlights the captivating spirit of the Texas Lions Camp. The camp provides special needs children one week each summer an escape into a world tailored for them.

The primary purpose of the camp is to provide, without charge, a camp for physically challenged, hearing/vision impaired, and diabetic children from the State of Texas, regardless of race, religion, or national origin. It was chartered in 1949 in response to the terrible polio epidemic that forever changed the lives of so many Texas children. Since that time, the Texas Lions Camp has dynamically changed to include children who have all manner and types of physical disabilities, diabetes and cancer. Today, they serve more children than at any other time in their history. Over 1,500 children per summer attend.

The international staff, many of whom quit their “real” jobs every summer so they can come back to camp. Many of the counselors reveal they are not “the teachers”. Rather, they are “the students” - learning hope, perseverance, and LIFE from these amazing kids.

After a week with the children, Mollie and Brian, our filmmakers, leave the camp and reconnect with five of these of these special children and their families. We meet Maranda Raab. Although she has cerebral palsy, it’s “not that big of a deal” to her. She and her mother encourage a spirit of comfort in approaching special needs people. As cliché as it sounds… we’re all just people. Next, we visit Nathan who lives with his 13 brothers and sisters, all adopted, all with special needs. Cheryl, his mother, calls her adopted kids a joy and a gift for her. Then Garrett: a boy who brings charm and genuine spirit to anyone who has the pleasure of meeting him. Then Samantha – who compares the reality of life inside camp to the reality of life outside of camp. And, finally, Stetson. He did not come into this world lovingly as he was left in a dumpster. His story is one of heroism.

As the film draws to a close we ask: What part of our human nature believes harassing, ridiculing, and excluding those who are different from us is “right”? What makes us “normal”? “Different Abilities” opens a window showing how abnormal is far more normal than we thought.

Note: We recommend viewing the film with an open heart & a full box of tissue.

Winner Of American Airlines First Altitude Award: American Association Of People With Disabilities
Winner: The 2009 Accolade Award of Excellence (La Jolla, California)

Crew:
Directed by Brian Fabian & Mollie Milligan
Producers: Brian Fabian & Mollie Milligan
Original Music: Cameron Cobb
Cinematographer: Brian Fabian
Editor: Mollie Milligan
Animation Department: Jason Alvarado, Jeffrey Austin, Tim Hill, Lacey Stuart

A Boxcar Creative Film.

Documentary | HD | 52 minutes | 2009 | USA