Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I watched the trailer and it brought me to tears at work... Funny that my son goes to this type of therapy every week (HIPO). We are trying to coordinate a babysitter and go see it tonight (opening) with the director/writer and father of rowan tonight at the Magnolia in Dallas.

http://www.horseboymovie.com/Film.php

http://www.google.com/movies?hl=en&near=Plano&ei=f2SqSqmPMI3hnAfL0rSlDw&tid=bc9cb21b5d80bdcd&date=1&q=Landmark Magnolia Pictures

Best Wishes,

Steven

Sorry, "tears' was not the correct word. "Emotional" is a better word. We got tickets so we are going to see this tonight and hopefully get a chance to talk with the director. It is amazing to me that autistic children bond so well with animals.

Best Wishes,

Stevenx

Amazing. I have also heard of autistic kids bonding with animals. Have you read Temple Grandin's (sp?) book, THINKING IN PICTURES? Its good. She is autistic and has a PHD.

I'll be looking for that movie. Thanks for sharing.
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Kent

Hey Steve,

humbling......just humbling.....and yeah, I just showed my wife this trailer and we both welled up something awful. I've worked with children/adolescents my entire career as a psychotherapist, but those that have suffered primarily from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a myriad of reasons.....death, rape, abuse, 9/11.....you name it. Quite a number of mountains I have climbed together with these innocent kids, and I have remembered each and every one whether or not they healed during my time with them.

But autism.....so much misunderstood and so much ground not covered. My God. At least with other disorders, there is a hint or a link of some kind that gives us a foundation to work on......something to work with. But with autism, it's like starting out on a voyage blindfolded and then someone removes the blindfold....leaving you to wonder "where do i go from here" because you don't know how you got there and you don't have a map to go any further. My heart bleeds, both as a professional and as a father of two, for those families afflicted.

I know you nothing more than as an alterna connosieur and an occasional wise-guy (intended with good humor of course...), but if this post you made is something of a personal sort, God bless and God speed my friend. You have an extended family right here.
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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

Moderate to severe. 3 out of the 5 spectrums. We have an army of therapists each month...and he goes to horse therapy once a week... thanks for the words and support! I am at the theatre now so i will respond more later.

I hadn't seen that yet Steve Thanks.I hadn't even heard of a movie being produced yet.Very cool,I can't wait to see it.
My Little girl (zonata) goes to "freedom in motion" every Saturday and she just loves it.She can really ride the heck out of them and even spins around backwords sometimes and falls asleep while riding.

L8r

Shannon, the movie was very moving... It shows a good bit into the life of their son, Rowan. Then imagine a family traveling to a land that is beyond the middle of nowhere to connect and help heal their son. A bit of the movie deals with shamanism, which I know will turn off some folks. I think with an open mind the movie is more about turning off all pre-conceptions, turning off your ego and reaching out to your children. Listening to the needs of them first. I really liked the movie. So much of what we saw is what we (and yourself) deal with everyday with autism. The tantrums that dont end, the stims, the lack of communication. Then the absolute connection with an animal (horse) named Betsy.

We got to speak with the Husband/director/writer of the horse boy after the movie. I asked him one question and then also got him to autograph our book "The Horse Boy". My question is as follows... "Do you think autism is natures way of getting parents to connect or reconnect with children?". I then followed up that question with a statement "It forces you to engage your child on all levels, and it never stops, it never ends.." He gave a long well rounded answer that basically said it is possible... I look forward to the DVD which he said should be out in April. If you can, I would really encourage you to see this movie. If nothing else to get a glimpse inside another families adventure to connect with a son.

Best Wishes,

StevenX

Thanks for the follow up Steve. I can't wait to see that movie and get the book also.

We found out a while ago by accident that she really enjoys fish tanks.So guess what, Yep, I have five tanks in the house and she spends a hour at a time just talking to the fish and trying to interact with them.We do many things for her that is a bit out of the relm but its what you do in a situiation like this and I am sure you know 100% what I am talking about.

Anyway, thanks again for the feedback and the heads up.

L8r Shannon

O.M.G. I can't believe Zonata likes fish tanks... Nathan loves them. We go to petco's just to watch the bubble towers and fish tanks. He absolutely loves to go to zoo and aquarium but he only likes the parts that are not too dark.

My wife tries to talk me into getting fish tanks but I figure Nathan has to look forward to going out of the house to do something... so we go to the mall to look at the fountains, fish tanks at the pet stores and walks around the parks with ponds to feed the ducks.

Thanks for posting the pics and everything.

Best Wishes,

Stevenx