Hi,

 

My name is Britny Virginia. I am a writer/poet, emerging director and theatre-maker based in South East London. I am raising money for a short film about disability and acceptance. I am hoping to produce the film in the summer of 2022. The film is based on my personal story of overcoming the many barriers of Cerebral Palsy in the hopes to show more representation on screen of people with many different impairments.

 

 

 

 

I was born with a subtype of Cerebral Palsy called Spastic Diplegia. When my mother was giving birth to me there were some complications which led to a delay in me being delivered, putting both our lives at risk, causing me to lose oxygen and as a result creating brain damage which affected my mobility (and as she likes to say thankfully I'm here!)

 

With my CP, I have what is known as duck feet- flat feet that are pointed outwardly and curved in one direction. This made buying and sustaining shoes very difficult. Because of my disability, lifting my feet when I walk can be extremely difficult, leading to the wear & tear of my shoes, which led to my parents having to buy me new pairs of trainers/sneakers every 6 months despite the name brand. Not only do I have difficulty walking, but because of my feet's shape, I get swollen ankles and intense throbbing pain whenever I stand or walk for long extended time periods especially in shoes that don't support my ankle as much.

I have had several major surgeries such as hip surgery and surgery on my feet during my youth to try to regulate and rectify my condition. 

 

 

 

 

As I grew older, I noticed females wearing heels which I couldn't wear, and wearing sandals were a war zone, with sandals only lasting me 2 -3 wears at most. My mother and father tried to encourage me to wear various shoes to help me feel beautiful, but I hated the stares I received and how uncomfortable I felt wearing heels or flats. I could never feel like a true Cinderella.

 

The idea that I'd be able to find someone to love me completely - disability and all, was very slim.

 

 

 

But after I became a more confident within myself through my Christian faith in God, I started to search for reliable shoes that'll keep my feet secure but also make me feel like a princess. There was a lot of trial and error but I have gotten to a more knowledgeable place of what works best for me and my feet.

 

So there lays the concept of the film:

 

Title: DANCING SHOES.

Logline: A young disabled woman with a slight foot deformity must learn to accept herself and differences whilst finding love with a deaf DJ in the process.

 

Within the film, there is a character who is a deaf DJ. It's not often spoken of, but deaf people enjoy music just as much as people with clear hearing do. I want to show that representation on screen and make a taboo subject within society, less taboo.

 

As a filmmaker/writer, I want to tell this story and see more representation on screen of people who live similar lives as I do. I want to encourage those facing various impairments and difficulties that you are beautiful and worth it. And I want to educate the wider public that yes people are different, but we are still people at the end of it all and should be treated as much. The stares need to stop and society needs to be more educated and open minded about disabilities.

 

Please check out my video called Sitting With You on my website, showcasing my feet and promo for my book released in 2020: 'Sitting With You' Video Poem .

 

Below video dancing in a fellow filmmakers film about having joy:

 

 

 

I am raising money today to finance a small portion of this film. Whilst also applying to grants and entering competitions, I will be raising a portion of funds to get my creative team going. The funds will cover costs of (not limited to):

 

 

I'd like most of my creative team to be from the deaf/disabled and neurodivergent community as much as possible because there is a serious lack in creative and financial support within the community.

 

Within the film, I hope to feature classic reggae tracks from the likes of Beres Hammond and Glen Washington. I'd love if this Go-Fund me could reach them to see if they'd be happy to have their music featured and part of this project!

I am aiming to get this entire film financed, produced and filmed by August 2022! That is a very big goal!

 

 

 

In addition, as a contributor and supporter of this film project, each person who donates will be listed in the credits (if you are happy to) for your generous and favourable donation.

 

 

 

 

I believe this film is a MUST and needed film to be produced which will inspire millions of disabled children and adults around the world.

 

Representation matters and makes a huge difference. I have never seen someone with my condition on screen in such a way before and through this film I want other young kids with various impairments to know that they are loved, they are beautiful and they matter. I want other young children to see themselves through my character and the other character who is deaf. I want them to know the world is theirs to take hold of and they can go into any industry they choose.

 

It's time to see change. The time is now.

 

Will you join me on this epic journey?