A few years ago, I happened across a televised news segment featuring a long-lost friend of mine and fellow dancer, Jaimee Kadish. I learned that Jaimee had recently been diagnosed with an adult-onset, life-changing disability. The segment focused on Jaimee learning to adapt to a new way of navigating the world.

Once Jaimee and I reconnected, we set out to collaborate on a film that documented her journey. We did not want the film to be exploitative or objectifying, nor did we want it to be perceived merely as a vehicle to inspire non-disabled people. Toward that end, we tell Jaimee’s story via a collage of sound bites in her own words from our interview and dance sequences in shooting locations that complement the metaphorical language she uses. The end result is a hybrid of the documentary and screendance genres that we found afforded us the most freedom to craft an honest and heartfelt portrayal of Jaimee’s experience.

The film features an original music score by my longtime collaborator, Brian Wood, who also knew Jaimee many years back. Adding to the cyclical feel of it all, we shot entirely in Jaimee’s hometown of Venice, CA. I am honored that Jaimee trusted me to tell her story. I hope that you are as moved by her wisdom and vulnerability as I am.