Perfectly Normal For Me, America ReFramed

Four charismatic kids strive for acceptance in a world that is often, at best, indifferent to them.

Alexandria, Jake, Caitlin and Veronica, ages 5 to 15, reveal what it’s like to live with physical disabilities. Their parents search out opportunities where they are accepted and feel valued, such as an after-school dance program in Queens, New York. With the help of a loving community, including dedicated teenage volunteers, the students prepare for a spring recital. Throughout all, they become eloquent advocates for the powers of inclusion, respect and empathy. Perfectly Normal For Me, an America ReFramed presentation, airs Thursday, August 18 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD.

“In this film, both optimistic and realistic, the abilities of people with disabilities are brought to the forefront. The footage records their extraordinary will and the surprising grace they bring to an activity apparently antithetical to their physical condition….It is an important contribution to our understanding of ability, disability, and it challenges our narrow image of beauty. It is told with sincerity and with humor.” Andrew Solomon, author of Far from the Tree.

This program is part of Move to Include, a partnership between WXXI and the Golisano Foundation designed to promote inclusion for people with intellectual and physical disabilities. This Move to Include model expands nationally this year to five additional communities with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. To learn more about the national efforts, visit movetoinclude.us.