Introduction
In March 2021, the release of the book “Underestimated, An Autism Miracle” brought forth the inspiring, must see, documentary SPELLERS. A movie full of truthful insight creating a complete paradigm shift and social belief about the communication needs of the nonspeaking, unreliable, and minimally speaking community.
Making SPELLERS
Directed by Pat Notaro, written by Theo Kirkham-Lewitt and Pat Notaro, SPELLERS has not only achieved recognition, winning the Best Documentary Award and the Donor’s Choice Award in 2023 but is a cinemark must see: bringing touching stories, views and insight that has never been heard before. This documentary is breaking barriers for the underestimated and has unlocked a world of communication and hope within a section of society that may have otherwise felt stuck.
The Inspiring Backstory
A story starting with an autism mom, Honey Rinicella and her young adult son, Vince, (featured in the movie) who is nonspeaking and autistic but has found the freedom to communicate through letterboards. Honey and Vince shared their heart and story of hope to so many other mothers, sons, daughters, fathers and friends that are struggling with the same obstacles. JB and Jamie Handley happened to be one of the families Honey and Vince shared spelling with; JB and Jamie adapted quickly to Honey’s recommendation, allowing Jamie to have a voice through letterboards. As a result, the story “Underestimated” and the Movie “SPELLERS” was born.
In the book “Underestimated, An Autism Miracle”, An eye-opening, heartfelt story of father JB Hadley who learns that after 18 years, his nonspeaking autistic son Jamie Handley has the cognitive ability to communicate by pointing to letters on an alphabet letter board to spell out his thoughts. Additionally, through this journey, Jamie reveals his brilliance to his family beyond what his body can express. Through this shared story of Jamie spelling to communicate, we are able to see how all nonspeaking people in the world are able to articulate their thoughts, needs, and desires. Jamie and JB’s restored hope, fueled them to share this new SPELLERS method that has allowed Jamie to communicate with his loved ones.
The Voices
In the documentary “SPELLERS”, Vince and Jamie’s stories, along with six other nonspeaking individuals, for the first time share with the world how we can help understand instead of underestimate through their eyes, needs and otherwise unheard voices. Vince, Jamie, Elizabeth Aydan, Evan, Sid, Maddie, and Cade share their voices through the letterboards or keyboards and these individuals share how they love, feel, learn, create and desire like you and I; and how their contribution to community stands to be a desire.
Mind Over Body
Our hope is to break barriers in society letting this movie and its message go beyond the personal stories of our featured friends being heard in each home, church, workplace, community center, school, medical facility and beyond. In each city, state and country, we must hear the message and be the voice that get’s the word out to an otherwise unheard demographic helping with communication needs around the world. A message to look at a person’s mind over body, urging individuals to be patient, kind and recognize the need to look beyond our own understanding through gracious eyes. Moreover, for parents and nonspeakers, there is hope and there is a way; everyone’s journey is different and unique, and their communication outlet awaits them through letterboards. We believe in your Mind Over Body!
Come to the next screening of the inspiring, must see documentary, SPELLERS!
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