Expecting The Unexpected film
Donation protected
My name is Jennifer. I am an Australian/American photo journalist and a single mother raising my son Alexander who is a child with special needs. His rare genetic condition, Joubert Syndrome, means that he is facing a limited life expectancy. I am making a film to share the story of Alexander's life and our journey together as we've traversed the healthcare system and learned to advocate and innovate to manage his care.
The film explores themes of fearlessness, resilience and learning to part with ideals as well as a view into the Australian medical system.
With the bulk of the shooting done using my own funds and the generosity of professionals who have volunteered their time and resources, I am now seeking your assistance for completion funding. In order to finalise the film, I need to shoot the last of the footage, pay for licensing of music and cover the cost of editing and distributions costs. My goal is to submit this work to international film festivals in August 2021, meaning I have just months to see this project through.
I never expected to have Alexander and now that he has changed my life forever, I want to share his story in the hopes of helping other families and offering the wider community insight into day-to-day life with a child who requires 100% care. Your donation would mean so much to us both as this film represents an opportunity to document Alexander's life in order to create awareness for others.
learn more about the film and the story at:
https://www.expectingtheunexpectedfilm.com
View the documentary trailer
34 weeks pregnant with Alexander and so excited to become a mother and meet the little guy.
Alexander was born 35 weeks +2 days, he was a tiny 1.6kg (3.3lbs), I was so happy to meet him. I was told that he had fluid on his brain and a complex range of issues. Feeding was hard for him so he had a feeding tube that allowed me to give him my breastmilk.
Alexander spent 5.5 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. His veins were hard to access, so he ended up with a scalp line put in and a nasogastric tube to manage his feeding. He was weak and needed a lot of support from the start.
6 months old, we had to visit the American Consulate Office in Sydney, he received an American flag.
A friend who is a pediatric physiotherapist told me about the importance of early intervention. With her advice and support, Alexander started physiotherapy and occupational therapy at six months old. This is one of many reminders that people come into our lives at just the right time. It also taught me to be open to advice and go with the flow.
Sleeping on a consult table in the back of emergency during a visit to the emergency room. These drop-everything-and-go visits have become somewhat routine for Alexander and me.
Alexander with his NG tube at home in time for his first Christmas.
Alexander came home at 5.5 months old, he weighed only 2.3kg.
One of many hospital stays over the last five years— it has become our second home.
Alexander has weak bones as he's never bared much weight. He ended up with a fractured leg, spending two weeks in traction at hospital.
The happy moment of discharge after a hospital admission.
Testing while in hospital.
Trying to find a viable vein is still an ongoing problem with each hospital admission. It often takes two people to hold him down and the support of many devices (like red lights and ultrasound) to find a vein they can tap into for a blood draw or IV access.
Starting school in March 2020 . New milestones, I never was sure we would make. A happy day!!
Connecting with nature and the outdoors. We enjoy hiking and camping.
Unexpectedly spending Mother's Day in hospital, May 2020.
Alexander at the Children's Hospice in 2016 while I went to have surgery. It was the only place that he could be safely cared for.
Alexander at occupational therapy, 2016.
Another sleepless night. Listening to his breathing, watching, waiting, worrying.
Camping, 2020.
An early morning walk in the wheel chair during our camping trip, 2020.
Our 'hospital on wheels' sleeping set-up while camping. A breathing machine and feeding pump for overnight hydration operate on a portable battery.
Another post-operation moment, still intubated.
Camping setup indoors when we went away on a family trip, 2019.
Off on an adventure in Tasmania with mum. (Photo by Krunal Padhiar) 2019.
Meeting a wombat for the first time in the wild, 2019.
Learning to sit-up at the beach, 2019.
Trying to immerse him in the sand for a sensory experience. He often struggles with different textures being against his skin.
Mum in the hospital elevator.
Camping with all the breathing equipment, 2018.
Another clinic appointment to check his breathing and chest.
Sensory aversion! Learning to touch different textures on his 5th birthday, 2020.
Traveling with mum to the Sonoran Desert, 2017.
Turning five. Happy Birthday!
Adapting to riding the mall rides with the help of some gaffers tape.
Snuggles and giggles with mum at the park. He is wearing his conductive hearing aid (red band on his head), 2020.
Road trips, on our way to camping, 2020.
Weekend bike rides, 2020.
More hospital stays, 2020.
Vision impairment means we enjoy big bold books that are tactile, different surfaces have textures that he can feel his way around with, 2020.
Sunshine and nature in Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, 2019.
Small, but mighty. A post nap smile. He still had the NG tube going through his nose and directly down into his stomach, 2015.
Sitting up at home to watch favourite movie, 2020.
At the park on the slide, 2020.
Looking at the visuals at the museum, 2020.
CME Therapy, 2019.
Relaxing after a bike ride, 2020.
Dressing up as superheroes to help fundraise for the Children's Hospice, 2020.
Numbing cream on and waiting for another blood draw, 2021.
Last photo before he got rolled into surgery, 2019.
Cruising around the block on his bike, 2020.
Projectile vomiting in public places, 2019.
While visiting the zoo during Dreamnight, he saw a turtle for the first time. He was so happy be burst out in a big smile, 2017.
The film explores themes of fearlessness, resilience and learning to part with ideals as well as a view into the Australian medical system.
With the bulk of the shooting done using my own funds and the generosity of professionals who have volunteered their time and resources, I am now seeking your assistance for completion funding. In order to finalise the film, I need to shoot the last of the footage, pay for licensing of music and cover the cost of editing and distributions costs. My goal is to submit this work to international film festivals in August 2021, meaning I have just months to see this project through.
I never expected to have Alexander and now that he has changed my life forever, I want to share his story in the hopes of helping other families and offering the wider community insight into day-to-day life with a child who requires 100% care. Your donation would mean so much to us both as this film represents an opportunity to document Alexander's life in order to create awareness for others.
learn more about the film and the story at:
https://www.expectingtheunexpectedfilm.com
View the documentary trailer
34 weeks pregnant with Alexander and so excited to become a mother and meet the little guy. Alexander was born 35 weeks +2 days, he was a tiny 1.6kg (3.3lbs), I was so happy to meet him. I was told that he had fluid on his brain and a complex range of issues. Feeding was hard for him so he had a feeding tube that allowed me to give him my breastmilk. Alexander spent 5.5 months in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. His veins were hard to access, so he ended up with a scalp line put in and a nasogastric tube to manage his feeding. He was weak and needed a lot of support from the start. 6 months old, we had to visit the American Consulate Office in Sydney, he received an American flag. A friend who is a pediatric physiotherapist told me about the importance of early intervention. With her advice and support, Alexander started physiotherapy and occupational therapy at six months old. This is one of many reminders that people come into our lives at just the right time. It also taught me to be open to advice and go with the flow. Sleeping on a consult table in the back of emergency during a visit to the emergency room. These drop-everything-and-go visits have become somewhat routine for Alexander and me.Alexander with his NG tube at home in time for his first Christmas. Alexander came home at 5.5 months old, he weighed only 2.3kg.One of many hospital stays over the last five years— it has become our second home. Alexander has weak bones as he's never bared much weight. He ended up with a fractured leg, spending two weeks in traction at hospital. The happy moment of discharge after a hospital admission. Testing while in hospital. Trying to find a viable vein is still an ongoing problem with each hospital admission. It often takes two people to hold him down and the support of many devices (like red lights and ultrasound) to find a vein they can tap into for a blood draw or IV access. Starting school in March 2020 . New milestones, I never was sure we would make. A happy day!! Connecting with nature and the outdoors. We enjoy hiking and camping. Unexpectedly spending Mother's Day in hospital, May 2020.Alexander at the Children's Hospice in 2016 while I went to have surgery. It was the only place that he could be safely cared for. Alexander at occupational therapy, 2016.Another sleepless night. Listening to his breathing, watching, waiting, worrying. Camping, 2020. An early morning walk in the wheel chair during our camping trip, 2020.Our 'hospital on wheels' sleeping set-up while camping. A breathing machine and feeding pump for overnight hydration operate on a portable battery. Another post-operation moment, still intubated. Camping setup indoors when we went away on a family trip, 2019.Off on an adventure in Tasmania with mum. (Photo by Krunal Padhiar) 2019. Meeting a wombat for the first time in the wild, 2019. Learning to sit-up at the beach, 2019. Trying to immerse him in the sand for a sensory experience. He often struggles with different textures being against his skin. Mum in the hospital elevator. Camping with all the breathing equipment, 2018.Another clinic appointment to check his breathing and chest.Sensory aversion! Learning to touch different textures on his 5th birthday, 2020.Traveling with mum to the Sonoran Desert, 2017.Turning five. Happy Birthday!Adapting to riding the mall rides with the help of some gaffers tape. Snuggles and giggles with mum at the park. He is wearing his conductive hearing aid (red band on his head), 2020.Road trips, on our way to camping, 2020.Weekend bike rides, 2020.More hospital stays, 2020.Vision impairment means we enjoy big bold books that are tactile, different surfaces have textures that he can feel his way around with, 2020.Sunshine and nature in Cradle Mountain, Tasmania, 2019.Small, but mighty. A post nap smile. He still had the NG tube going through his nose and directly down into his stomach, 2015.Sitting up at home to watch favourite movie, 2020.At the park on the slide, 2020.Looking at the visuals at the museum, 2020.CME Therapy, 2019.Relaxing after a bike ride, 2020.Dressing up as superheroes to help fundraise for the Children's Hospice, 2020.Numbing cream on and waiting for another blood draw, 2021.Last photo before he got rolled into surgery, 2019.Cruising around the block on his bike, 2020.Projectile vomiting in public places, 2019.While visiting the zoo during Dreamnight, he saw a turtle for the first time. He was so happy be burst out in a big smile, 2017.
Organizer
Jennifer Brankin
Organizer
Breakfast Point, NSW