Sibling questions are always a bit awkward because my only sibling died when I was in middle school. Growing up with a brother with special needs has shaped me in so many ways to become the person that I am today.
Why Death Has Made Me Want To Live
The most awkward question a person can ask me is a simple, common question you ask someone you don’t know. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” This can put the person I just met in an uncomfortable position because I have to say “yes, but he died toward the end of my 6th grade year, he had cerebral palsy.” It would feel disrespectful to not acknowledge that I had a brother, so even though it appears to many that I grew up like an only child- I didn’t.
2015 Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival
Many of you know my story of having a brother with cerebral palsy which is why the ReelAbilities film festival in Cincinnati is very intruiguing to me. I love what it stands for and the inspiration that it will bring to those with and without disabilities.
The vision of the film festival says it all.
ReelAbilities is the largest national film festival dedicated to celebrating the lives, stories and art of people with disabilities.
Organized by LADD, the Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival presented by Macy’s is this region’s largest film festival whose unique purpose is bringing people together to explore differences and shared humanity. It will be a week of celebration that include events, world class films and celebrities who experience disability.
The Film Festival will include a star studded awards premiere luncheon, gala, and 30 film and speaking events throughout Greater Cincinnati. All of the film screenings benefit local nonprofit organizations that enhance the lives of people with disabilities.
The ReelAbilities Film Festival was founded in 2007 in New York City by the Manhattan JCC and has grown to become the largest film festival in the country dedicated to sharing the stories, lives and art of people who experience disability. It is now headquartered in Cincinnati and is a division of LADD. It includes a total of 13 Festivals across the country. Cincinnati holds the second largest one.
There are opportunities for you to get involved in this event at various venues all over Cincinnati.
The 2015 Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival
is from Thursday, February 26th – Saturday, March 7th
You can find out more about the film festival and a complete listing of events from their website.
Disclosure: I was given a media admission for helping share about the film festival.