|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
|
|||
 |
|
  |
 |
 |
 |
|||
 |
 |
|||||||
|
NEWS RELEASE Free preview screening by invitation
January 31 ,2003 “ODD KID OUT” - FIRST CANADIAN FILM TO FOCUS ON ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER - HAS WORLD TV PREMIERE ON TVO FEB. 6, 2003
January 6, 2003 (Toronto)—While one child in twenty has ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - their parents, siblings, teachers and friends are also intimately affected by this puzzling and difficult disorder. ODD KID OUT is a new one-hour documentary by Karen O’Donnell, whose 13-year-old son Kail has ADHD. Her first-hand account brings a stirring perspective to the often-misunderstood subject as well as the complex social realities of ADHD.
As part of its Diversity Month, TVO airs the world television premiere of ODD KID OUT on Thursday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. In addition, a Preview Screening is open to the public on Friday, January 31 at 7:00pm, Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor Street West, Toronto). The screening is free with an invitation, available by email at contact@oddkidout.com.
In this deeply personal film, director-producer Karen O'Donnell provides an intimate account of three families, including her own, with an ADHD child, as they deal with the scope of the pervasive interruptions and frustrations ADHD brings to daily life.
"These amazing kids work on a completely different level, are extremely creative, and if given the context to learn, are usually very successful adults," says O'Donnell. "In fact, you'd be surprised at some of the household names who have ADHD. When people are willing to look, understand and change their attitudes, many of the solutions are not very far away. I've come to see ADHD as a gift as much as an affliction." Dr. Atilla Turgay of the Scarborough Hospital ADHD Clinic, Training and Research Institute served as the scientific consultant and advisor in the production of this documentary, and the staff, patients and their families at the Institute cooperated very closely with O'Donnell.
O’Donnell and Kail, who was diagnosed at age seven, speak out about the problems they face together. At age 12, Kail was tested and found to have the abilities of a Grade 12 student in some subjects and, in others, those of a fourth-year university student. The manifestations of ADHD have nevertheless resulted in repeated suspensions, discrimination by teachers, and even a call for police intervention at school. ADHD kids, 50% of whom also have learning disabilities, often fall behind and are plagued by problems of self-esteem brought on by failure, ridicule and a lack of understanding of how their minds think.
Exuberant Daniel, 16, has ADHD and Tourette Syndrome which often accompanies it. Although bright and sociable, Daniel has failed three subjects and been suspended from school. His father, Roger, a diabetic widower facing leg amputation, struggles with the predicament of Daniel’s care during his four-month hospital rehabilitation.
Jennifer and Fred, parents of 7-year-old Sarah and her younger sister Kira, talk candidly about the toll Sarah’s disorder has taken on their marriage. They’ve tried to avoid putting her on drugs, and search for other answers. Jennifer’s greatest wish is that society in general and educators in particular attain a better knowledge of ADHD in order that her child and those like her are able to lead full and meaningful lives.
In spite of the intense love of their “different” children, the parents just as readily admit that they are sometimes at the end of their rope as to how to cope: “I don’t know what to do anymore”; “Kids can’t fit into a box”; “I called the principal a bitch.” There is help and hope for these families, if people are willing to completely reverse their thinking. ODD KID OUT…an intimate portrait of living with ADHD. For more information, visit the website at www.oddkidout.com.
- 30 -
English Only, 57” © 2002 Wordshop Productions, Inc. Produced By Wordshop Productions in Association with TVOntario, Knowledge Network, W Network, VisionTV and with the participation of the Canadian Television Fund Created by the Government of Canada and the Canadian cable industry; Telefilm Canada: Equity Investment Program; CTF License Fee Program. Canada: The Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit. Produced with the participation of Star Choice Communications, Inc.; The Canadian Independent Film & Video Fund; Roger’s Telefund. Special Thanks to The Scarborough Hospital Foundation.
-30-
Press releases, high-resolution photos, and background resources are available at www.oddkidout.com
For further information, please contact: Karen O'Donnell
PREVIEW
SCREENING
Free By
Invitation
|
||||||||
©Wordshop
Productions Inc. |
||||||||
