A Must-See Movie: Loving Lampposts

Updates:

1. See Steve Silberman's interview with director Todd Drezner: http://blogs.plos.org/neurotribes/2011/03/29/loving-lampposts-a-groundbreaking-documentary-about-autism-love-and-acceptance/ 
2. You can now put Loving Lampposts into your Netflix queue for when it is available on Netflix: http://www.netflix.com/Movie/Loving-Lampposts/70166285?strkid=305844720_0_0&lnkctr=srchrd-sr&strackid=3d6e63f3b256867a_0_srl&trkid=222336

 

My colleague Shannon Rosa has an extended review of the just-released documentary Loving Lampposts (website: http://www.lovinglamppostsmovie.com/ ) at The Thinking Person's Guide to Autism.  I recommend you read the whole review.

The director, Todd Drezner, showcases the varied faces of our community: the advocates, the adults, the loving parents, the beloved children -- plus the professionals, the doctors, the researchers, and the gadflies.  Loving Lampposts takes the oft-repeated phrase "if you've met one autistic person, you've met one autistic person" and gives it life. You need to see this film. And if you want to help others better understand autism, you need to recommend Loving Lampposts to them.

The segment I found most moving was the interviews (in the film itself, and the extended interview in the Extras) with Lila Howard, whose son Lyndon was born in the same year I was.  It was all so different then -- Lila had to contend with the "refrigerator mother theory", the lack of supports, the lack of educational opportunities... She made it all happen.  Indomidable is the word.

Lyndon is living in his own apartment, with support from visiting staff. Yes he has challenges, but he is also living a life of dignity and satisfaction.

You can buy the DVD through Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004H4XDI6/) or download it from iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewMovie?id=421776921&s=143441 link opens iTunes Store).

Eventually it will be available on Netflix, too,just not today.

Comments

[Babrbara]

I completely agree. The segment on Lyndon and his mother Lila was inspirational. How brave and forward thinking Lila has been. I hope everyone gets a chance to see this wonderful documentary.