Tuesday, April 16, 2024

A Movie Worth Your Time -- Stream It This Week Only

Last week, Rick and I had the privilege of attending a wonderful new documentary film at its local premiere. You won't see it in a movie theatre (at least not for awhile) or on TV or YouTube. It's making the film festival circuit right now. But if you have the chance to watch it (and you can -- read on), it will touch your heart. (Streaming and camp links at the end of this post.)


"Camp RicStar" is about a music camp for those of all ages with special needs. The camp, which is in June (and filling up fast for 2024), is open to those with any type of disability and of any age. Scholarships are available for those with financial need.

The film chronicles this camp, which was established twenty years ago by my friend, the writer Judy Winter ("Breakthrough Parenting for Children With Special Needs.") and her husband, Dick. Judy and Dick's second child, Eric, was born after a traumatic birth and with cerebral palsy. Throughout his brief, twelve-year life, he was fed via feeding tube and was not ambulatory. 


These disabilities are daunting but Eric had something one would hope every kid would have -- a marvelous smile and engaging personality and a family that focused on ability and was willing to fight for their child's rights and foster his interests. And one passion Eric had was for music. So, Dick and Judy enrolled him into Michigan State University's music therapy program, led by the energetic Cindy Edgerton.

After Eric's untimely death at age twelve, Dick and Judy wanted to carry on his legacy in a way that their son would love. With the music therapy program and MSU's Community Music School, they established Camp RicStar. 

The documentary chronicles the advent of this camp and follows many of the participants at home and at camp during its 20th year. We meet them -- children and adults -- and their parents, all of whom share their experience and the critical effects of engaging in music and how that has helped them on their journey. The stories are poignant but there is much joy to be had in the the film. 

Equally joyful at the screening was seeing many of the people who had participated in the film, as well as director Sam McConnell and Dick and Judy, who responded to audience questions in the talk back after the show.


"Camp RicStar" is dedicated not only to Eric Winter but to past campers and to Jessica Emery Schneider, whose brother, Ben -- the leader of the indie group Lord Huron -- appears in the film. It has already received the Kaiser Thrive Award at Cinequest Film Festival and it is well deserving. 

The Cleveland International Film Festival is streaming "Camp RicStar" from now through April 21. Tickets for the stream are $14 and available at this link. You can find more information about the film, visit here.  If you would like to know more about the camp itself, here's the link. 

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49 comments:

Buttercup said...

The movie sounds terrific and thanks for the links.

Rita said...

Wow! They sound like a wonderful couple with huge hearts. Sorry their son died at 12 but so very glad he was here for 12 memorable years. Thanks for sharing this. :)

roentare said...

This is an incredible story.

shoreacres said...

What a wonderful story. I'm passing this on to another of my readers who posts a 'good news' story every Friday. This is just the sort of thing he and his other readers would enjoy.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Jeanie :=)
What an emotional read, and it is such a blessing that people with disabilities can add joy to their lives by attending the Michigan State University's music therapy program, and "Camp Ricstar".Thank you for sharing the details of the documentary and the good people responsible for both the documentary and Camp Ricstar.

Music is very healing, it has helped me, and it helped my mother who had Alzheimer's, as it made her want to dance, which was lovely to watch. I looked after her during this time, and she never spoke one word for five years or showed any interest in anything until she heard a tape of music from her generation which a friend of mine had made just for her, and to my amazement she responded. Combined generosity and music can work wonders.

eileeninmd said...

The Camp RicStar and the music therapy program sounds wonderful.
Thanks for sharing the links!
Take care, have a great day!

Tom said...

...we raised a daughter with special needs who is now 48. What a journey.

Anvilcloud said...

There are those who do such wonderful and inspiring things.

Jim and Barb's Adventures said...

The backstory behind books, movies and even songs bring so much more meaning to the item itself. Thanks for sharing!

La Table De Nana said...

I can imagine it being wonderful.I grew up with a boy who had CP..He was the kindest:)

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

It's so nice to hear about wonderful things. What a great camp to bring joy to kids with disabilities. I am a retired teacher and worked with kids with academic disabilities.

Arti said...

Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.

gigi-hawaii said...

Music therapy is very important for the sick and disabled. Anybody can participate.

Valerie-Jael said...

Music does us all good, and is expecially good for sick and handicapped children. Hugs, Valerie

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, what an amazing camp for those with special need disabilities - that it AWESOME. And being the daughter of a 'music man' who loved all types of music and played french horn, coronet, played in community band in his retirement (as a newspaper pressman) and was the ship's bugler on USS New Jersey (and did funerals in his retirement for military as bugler), I played various woodwinds (oboe, bassoon and clarinet) through my school years in orchestra and concert bands, and as an adult in community band with my Dad in Florida too. My brother played trumpet and my sister viola. Music is so healing, in so many ways. And like my Dad, I love many types of music from opera, to big bands, all the way to some heavy metal rock, lol. LOVE the idea of this Camp !!!
Dawn P. Albany, GA

Sandra Cox said...

It sounds wonderful. It breaks my heart what some children/parents have to endure. But they rise above it, don't they?

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Music is so good for the soul. Bravo to those who created this for special needs people. My son has a learning disability. We need more people in the world with big caring hearts.

This N That said...

wonderful story!!

acorn hollow said...

Wow!
Cathy

Polly said...

What a great place doing great things for children with disabilites.

Lowcarb team member said...

Amazing, wonderful and emotional.
Many thanks for sharing this Jeanie.

All the best Jan

Joyful said...

A great initiative to help others.

DeniseinVA said...

Thank you for sharing this movie Jeanie, sounds heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. A powerful story and such an amazing tribute to Eric in helping others.

My name is Erika. said...

Kudos to parents who created something wonderful in memory of a child. It must have been a horrible loss, but a music camp so others can enjoy the same joy as Eric did is a wonderful thing. hugs-Erika

The Happy Whisk said...

I love that it's all ages. Inspiring!

R's Rue said...

Beautiful.

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Thank you so much for posting about this. I feel uplifted!

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Wonderful legacy for a wonderful person

Sandra Cox said...

I've never attended a premiere. That is very special.

Sandra Cox said...

Have a grand weekend, Jeanie.

Fundy Blue said...

I post that's both heartbreaking and heartwarming, Jeanie. I don't know why some children have to suffer so much. It's wonderful that he had such amazing parents and could enjoy music. Thanks for sharing this, Jeanie!

Mica said...

it is so sad that they lost their son, so young! But it is heartwarming to see what has come from this, with the camp and the movie. Music can really make a difference and it's great that has been acknowledged and celebrated with the movie. What a great legacy to leave!

Veronica Lee said...

Music has the power to heal, and it's inspiring to see its positive impact on those with special needs.
Kudos to Dick and Judy for their dedication!

Thanks for sharing, Jeanie!

Anne (cornucopia) said...

What a great thing to do.

Pam said...

How cool. Sounds like a good movie to see.

Joanne said...

That sounds wonderful!

Pam Richardson said...

Music is definitely healing. What a powerful story of their tragic loss turned into a music camp for those with special needs. Thanks for sharing, it is heartwarming, Jeanie!

Marilyn Miller said...

What an amazing way for them to honor their son. This camp sounds amazing.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful blog

MELODY JACOB said...

"Camp RicStar" sounds like an incredibly touching and inspiring documentary, capturing the heartwarming journey of individuals with special needs finding joy and fulfillment through music at the camp. Eric's legacy lives on through the beautiful initiative established by his parents, Dick and Judy, and it's heartening to see the positive impact it has had on participants and their families over the years. The dedication and passion behind this endeavor shine through, and it's wonderful to see the recognition it has received, including the Kaiser Thrive Award at Cinequest Film Festival. Thank you for sharing this heartwarming story and providing information on how to watch the film. It's definitely worth checking out for anyone touched by the power of music and the resilience of the human spirit.

I just posted a new post, I invite you to read.

anno said...

I'm a little late to this post, and it's not something I can watch yet this evening, but wow, this sounds like a great movie and the camp your friends helped establish sounds like a fantastic way to honor the spirit of their son. Thanks for sharing this story. I am happy to know about this camp, and I'm happy to hear about people who, despite terrible loss, still extend the effort to make the world a better place. I will be looking for another opportunity to see this movie.

Iris Flavia said...

My friend uses to say, everything has a reason, everything has a time. I think she is correct. I had tears in my eyes reading about the background, but it does some good now. I feel for the parents. 12 years...
These are moments I would like my Brother´s belief, that the dead can see what we do. Eric sure would love this.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Thanks you, Jeanie, for sharing the information about this movie, and how the camp began sadly through the loss of a young life. However untimely Eric’s passing was it is clear that his enjoyment of music is being continued thanks to his parents. Reading about special places like Camp RicStar certainky is more uplifting than so much “new” today.

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Thanks so much for your visit and for your prayers... It has been gratefully appreciated....
Hugs,
Deb

ashok said...

Sounds like a great movie.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Very interesting! My Mum used to work at a special needs school.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

What an amazing story and a great way to honor the memory of their dear child that passed at such a young age. I would love to watch it if it's available more broadly at some point!

Carola Bartz said...

What a wonderful program thanks to parents who never gave up and fought for their and other children. This sounds like a movie that needs to be seen all over the States. Thank you for telling us about it, Jeanie.

crackercrumblife said...

I really want to watch this. I just need to wait until I am emotionally ready!!

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