Autism: The Musical

Not many movies make me cry. This one did.

Autism: The Musical is about The Miracle Project, begun by the mother of a boy with autism, who wanted to use theater and music to provide children with autism and their siblings with a place they could have friendship, community and joy. The film features a number of children and their families, showing how they live day to day, juxtaposed with scenes from rehearsals, dramas within the drama of putting on a show in six months.

This short video doesn't do the film justice, nor does this short post, but this is one movie I urge everyone to take ninety minutes out of their lives to watch. Why? Because these children, and others like them, are the reason I write this blog. I know in my heart that institutionalization and exclusion are not the answer to their futures. But it will take a deeper understanding on the part of all of us, a recognition that we are one family, to achieve inclusion that works when it matters - when the road is more difficult and the path harder to see.

And prayers. Yes, it will take prayers too.