“I am not disabled. I am able.”
Presents
Homecoming Queen Moorea Howson struggles to create an independent life in a world that only sees her as a young adult with disabilities.
Moorea was born with Williams Syndrome, an incurable disease that causes cardiovascular issues, developmental delays, and learning challenges. The disease carries the risk of dying young, yet in high school, Moorea lives a full life with the goal of making others happy. Queen Moorea follows Moorea after being crowned homecoming queen, attending vocational school, and working. Filmed over a period of six years, the film follows Moorea as she tries to create a life for herself that allows her to marry her boyfriend, visit Disneyland, and pursue her dream of working in a hospital.
Utilizing the style of cinéma vérité, the audience is able to experience the joys and challenges of Moorea and her friends as they transition into adulthood. This coming-of-age film shares an intimate look into the gifts and struggles of growing up with a disability in America.
First of its kind
Prior to Queen Moorea, the only documentary about Williams Syndrome was the film Embraceable, a survey film that interviewed youth about living with the disease.
Most TV series, documentaries, and narrative films that depict people with special needs focus on Down Syndrome and Autism.
This is the first coming-of-age film portraying a group of young adults with Williams Syndrome, Autism, Arthrogryposis, and Ocular Motor Apraxia.
An honest look at “dis-abled” life
Queen Moorea shares themes with American Teen, yet its teenagers don’t just juggle the normal peer pressure to smoke and drink. They seek to appear “normal,” with “normal problems.” Once they graduate, their families are hopeful that government programs will teach life skills.
Progress is, at times demoralizing and slow.
COVID hits and programs are cancelled. Moorea has to deal with being laid off from her best ever job at a Nursing home.
Her parents discuss whether marriage and a career are a reality.
Why it matters?
After watching Queen Moorea, general audiences will have a greater understanding of the struggles, milestones, and moments of joy that young adults with disabilities and their families experience. This film will expand the visual documentation of youth with disabilities and provide interdisciplinary content for scholars in inclusive education, health sciences, and public policy.
Questions are asked whether Society will ever treat Moorea as able.
Most importantly, Queen Moorea can be shared worldwide through internet streaming, film festivals, and broadcast television.
Beyond the screen
To support our mission, the website and social media will be dedicated to raising awareness of growing up with a disability and dispelling the myth of what it means to be normal. It will feature:
Organizations that help youth with job training
Companies that hire youth with disabilities in respectable jobs
First hand accounts from youth around the world on what they need from their community in order to live a fulfilling life.
