Main fundraiser photo

The Souls of our Feet

Short Summary
Ableism is defined as discrimination or prejudice against individuals with disabilities according to Merriam-Webster.com. As a 17 year old with Cerebral Palsy, I have experienced a lot of ableism in my life. I needed a way to combat ableism that is bigger than confronting individuals about various offenses. I realized that if people saw how several different people from all walks of life are affected by disability, it would make being prejudiced harder. So with no film experience and a lot of ambition, I bought a video camera and started asking questions. Soon interviews became a project plan, that project plan became a proposal, and before I knew it I was making a full-length documentary with a team of talented people.

Through a program called "The Honors Project program" at my high school, I am granted 40 minutes a day, a project advisor, and a space to work in. I have done hours of research on how to edit film and conduct interviews, as well as how to plan and execute the logistics of making a film. Using iMovie and a powerpoint software, I have already put together 40 minutes of edited film, and have planned out how to execute the full two hours by June of 2015. The film breaks down into sections pertaining to several different subjects as follows:

Disability and Romantic Relationships
Disability in Fashion
Disability in the media
Disability in Education
Disability in Sports & Fitness
Disability as pertaining to Gender and Sexuality
An Able-bodied Perspective

In addition to each of these 10-15 minute sections, there will be articles analyzed and blurbs of more subjective, personal information about what it is like to live with disability. The entirety is made up of engaging graphics and easy to understand facts, in addition to several interveiws. The TSOOF team is made up of myself as project head, my project advisor Mr. Walter Keeley, Music composer and NYU film student Alex Haas, and visual artist Valerie Abbruzzese.

Where Your $$ is Going
- Professional DVD production with Cases: $1400

This allows for production of 700 copies. All copies will be sold for $5, and all proceeds will go back into TSOOF, aiding production of more copies, website upkeep, promotional efforts, more showings of the film, etc.

- Website Creation and maintenance fees for 1 yr: $500

- fees to incorporate as a non-profit: $1000

- Stipend for visual artist Valerie Abbruzzese: $100

Ms. Abbruzzese has generously donated her services, and compensation is appropriate

- Stipend for Composer Alex Hass: $200

Mr. Hass has generously donated his services, and compensation is appropriate

- Reimbursement for film equipment: $250

- Showings of the film: $650

Covers hosting fees for public showings of the film over the sumer of 2015

*If the funding goal is not reached, a smaller amount of DVD copies will be produced, the reimbursement may be smaller/nonexistant as needed, and the stipends will be reduced. The DVDs will then be sold at a higher rate in an effort to raise money for a website and more copies to be made. If the funding goal is exceeded, the money will go to more showings of the film around the country.

The Impact
Showings around the Albany, NY and Boston areas have already been donated. The funds raised determine whether people beyond these areas can see the film, as DVD production and distribution is impossible otherwise. Also, incorporating as a non-profit protects and adds validity to the project.

With your help, The Souls of our Feet can bring a new sense of disability awareness to a larger population and help expose the disabled community in a raw, honest, and holistic way. Stereotypes can be broken, and people of all ages will experience food for thought that could spark a chain reaction of disability awareness. Lets educate others, change and improve perceptions of disability together!

Risks & Challenges
The main obstacle within The Souls of our Feet is accomplishing everything planned within the limited time frame. Through diligent work, communication, concise deadlines, and guidance from team members, The Souls of our Feet WILL be released in June.

Other Ways You Can Help
Donating not your thing at the moment? Never fear, you can still help! First share this campaign with everyone you know by using the sharing tools or just copy and paste the URL to this page. Also, check out and "like" The Souls of our Feet's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TheSoulsOfOurFeet

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $20 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • Sherri
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • Arlene Lev
    • $100 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs
  • Leo and Martha
    • $36 (Offline)
    • 9 yrs

Organiser

Sonya Rio-Glick
Organiser
Albany, NY

Your easy, powerful and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help straight to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.