During the movies, in between clips of each child we also see the time that Elaine takes with all the kids to make the musical. We see her describing Autism as a neurological disorder in which the brain functions differently. Some who have Autism can be non verbal, some highly verbal, some may have difficulty in controlling their impulses and colors, sights, and sounds can be too intense to handle. The brain does not compute in the same way as others, things around them can be too overwhelming and this is when we have children retreating to their own world. When all of the children meet to work on the musical they act out problems or things that have happened in their life. We see Wyatt describe the bullies that hurt him. They ask him horrible things about seeing their “dicks” and give him the middle finger. They treat Wyatt and other kids like him as outcasts. But through drama, fun play and singing, this Miracle project helps to teach these kids the right behavior and what they should never have to put up with.
They begin writing the story, the play, the children being the inspiration and the writers. They use their life stories for inspiration. Elaine writes down their actions and words and then creates a script from there. She focuses on a lot of positive reinforcement and eye contact, helping each child to utilize their strengths. Teaching each child how to support each other and themselves is important not only for the project but for their lives. Elaine was able to do this project through funding and they end up finding and using a real theater for the final performance. But before the final show draws near, we see a side of the parents that is not only frustrating but makes you feel sad. Adam’s performance was not cut from the play but there was not enough time during rehearsal for him to, at that time, do all of his talents. His mother, Rosanne, freaked out and started yelled at other parents/ staff that her son’s cello playing is what defines him, it is what he has. She grabs him to make him leave and she is the reason that he ends up having an outburst. You feel bad for Adam because you want his mother to stop being so protective and let him be.
During the play rehearsal, we find the parents discussing Autism in the Parent Room. Roseanne describes society as a tribe, in which they all have to do better. All other kids who have Autism are a part of the tribe, and how other children with Autism act, reflects on other children, on Roseanne’s son. But Lexi’s mom gets rather upset and this is the crucial moment in the movie that breaks my heart. She says that it is about human value. She wants the world to value her child, to welcome her and they simply don’t and she can’t make them. Until they are valued, until Lexi, Adam, Henry, Wyatt, and Neal are valued no one is going to find a cure, no one is going to change the medicines, the doctors and schools won’t change either. All that these parents can do is love their children. Lexi’s mom then says “ I hope that she dies before I do” not because she doesn’t care but because she doesn’t want Lexi to be vulnerable or to live without her, without help. Their future is so uncertain, no one knows if they will be ok, that is the worst part.
The ending of the movie is the play, their ultimate debut of talent and personality that shine unlike anything they have done before. There are a few updates as to what each child is doing in life and fun little facts about them. This amazing play and project however only received funding for one more year. I wonder why this is? Maybe because our world has yet to see Autism as these parents and children see it. As a part of their life.
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