A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story

(Rochester, New York) – A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story, airing on WXXI-TV Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 2 p.m., tells the inspiring true story of Bill Sackter, who left a lifetime of institutionalization to emerge as an international hero for people with disabilities. Sackter’s life story was made famous by the award winning made-for-tv movie “Bill” (1981) starring Mickey Rooney as Bill, and Dennis Quaid as the young filmmaker Barry Morrow who had befriended Bill in 1972 and began filming their relationship and adventures.

Now get to know the real people behind the story in this engaging documentary featuring actual film and video footage and photographs of Bill Sackter himself, along with new interviews with the people closest to Bill, in an uplifting true story that has been over 35 years in the making! With a harmonica, a warm cup of coffee and a positive embrace of life, get to know the real Bill Sackter, an international hero for people with disabilities, and witness how a little friendship and attention transformed Bill’s life and everyone around him.

A Friend Indeed: The Bill Sackter Story 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. Special programming includes prime-time specials, children’s programs, and news stories. Watch the movie and then share your thoughts with us by taking our survey at www.movetoinclude.org.

Pictured: Bill Sackter