Documentary Set For Denver
Denver — When local award winning filmmaker Darla Rae became inspired by her great nephew, his mother, and other children and their parents around the world to record their plight of dealing with the difficulties they battle surrounding diagnosis and treatment associated with Dandy-Walker Syndrome (DWS) she immediately thought about telling their story in a documentary film. That film is now a documentary that will have a Sneak Preview January 17 at the Starz Denver Film Center in Denver.
The film gained instant support by several members of the United States Congress and has been talked about on the floor of the U.S. Congress. The film features several members of Congress along with members of the medical community, researchers, families and the kids all whom are the heroes of our story.
Dandy Walker Syndrome is a brain defect that causes a multitude of other anomalies. Children with DWS can have hydrocephalus, spina bifida, autism, deafness, and heart and kidney problems among others.
"I looked up some research information on the internet and discovered literally thousands of parents around the world frustrated and scared looking for answers that didn't exist. As a result, I felt like I couldn’t stand by and not help. So I decided to make ‘Dandy Kids’ in order to give the families and the medical community involved a platform to be heard.” Rae explained.
“I know our film ‘Dandy Kids’ is changing lives. In the process of filming and interviewing families and members within the medical community we have been able to connect parents with the right doctors and support groups,” Rae stated.
The goal of the film is to have the awareness level of DWS elevated to an awareness level to that of Autism or juvenile diabetes. In the process of her research she found a non-profit group, The Dandy Walker Alliance, started in January 2007 by Eric Cole whose son Ryan has DWS. Eric has been courageous in sharing his family’s story with many parents from around the world as well as in “Dandy Kid.”
“This is a wonderful example of a Colorado filmmaker having an impact on a national and international level,” noted Colorado State Film Commissioner Kevin Shand. “The film industry is no longer not just about Hollywood being able to produce films that have an impact on their audience and can help change lives for the better,” he added. “Colorado has an excellent group of very talented filmmakers and the “Dandy Kids” project is one more in a long line of productions that showcased the talent available in Colorado.
“Dandy Kids” will screen January 17 at the Starz Denver Film Center located at 900 Auraria Parkway in Denver to benefit The Dandy Walker Alliance. For additional information or to view the trailer please visit www.dandykidsdocumentary.com. For more information you may also visit www.dandy-walker.org.
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