Kare11
Documentary on autistic people features Lionsgate Academy
The film is by Scott Steindorff, a Minnesota native. He is also an autistic person and tells his story along with others through his own lens.
MINNETONKA, Minn. — An upcoming documentary on autistic people features Minnesota’s own Lionsgate Academy and its families.
The film is by Scott Steindorff, a Minnesota native. He is also an autistic person and tells his story along with others through his own lens.
Lionsgate Academy said this is the sort of movie people need to watch.
Diane Restorff retired from her executive director position, but before her retirement from Lionsgate Academy, she decided to let Steindorff and his crew into the school, which is a public charter school providing free education to autistic students.
“The representation that people with autism are getting through this documentary is first class,” she said.
Creech Unger, 16, was featured in the documentary, who wanted to be a part of the film because he is passionate about teaching people about autism.
“It touches on the struggles,” he said. “But it doesn’t have like the whole, you know, oh my God, my kid has autism. It’s so hard. Everything’s so hard. It sucks so much. It accepts autism and talks about it, instead of making it seem like it’s this big, terrifying thing.”
Unger said too often people have a misunderstanding of autism. He lived through it when he went to a different school.
“It was really hard for me make friends because I felt like I was doing something wrong being me,” said Creech. “So I kept having to try different ways of being not me. And none of them were working. And I was just kind of accepting that I’m the weird kid that nobody wants to be friends with. But then I came here, and everybody is accepting of me as me.”
His mom, Ann Wiesner, said that is precisely the reason why people need to watch this documentary. To make the world a more thoughtful and kind place so everyone can be themselves everywhere. Not just at Lionsgate.
“It’s even little things that aren’t our standards and norms about what is acceptable conduct,” she said. “Like sitting. Looking people in the eye. All of those social expectations are really challenging for a lot of autistic folks.”
“People could look at that documentary and maybe understand that when they see a kid on their doorstep at Halloween,” said Restorff. “Who doesn’t say thank you for the candy, or who maybe pushes their way in front and it seems kind of rude. That maybe their first thought wouldn’t be oh, you know, that’s rude. That’s bad parenting. But maybe, what supports are needed here? What can we do?”
Diane, Creech and Ann say they loved the documentary and encourage folks to attend a special screening benefiting the Lionsgate Foundation on March 17th at The Main Cinema.
For tickets, click here. The film will premiere nationwide April 14.
Watch all of the latest stories from Breaking The News in our YouTube playlist:
“The Power of a Transformed Woman” is Twyla Martin’s raw, unapologetic story about strength, transformation and rising above trauma.
ST PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota author and motivational speaker has written a new book and is holding a panel discussion.
“The Power of a Transformed Woman” is Twyla Martin’s raw, unapologetic story about strength, transformation, and rising above trauma.
On Friday, Nov. 1, Martin will speak with a panel at CSPS Hall in St. Paul about her book release.
- Twyla Martin – Author
- Nekima Levy Armstrong – Civil rights attorney, activities, and community organizer
- Chantel Sings – Powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and performer
- Ashley DuBose – Singer, songwriter
- Jamela Pettiford – Vocalist and actress
- Lissa Jones – Speaker, advocate for African American history and culture
- Robin Hickman-Winfield – Producer, filmmaker, and CEO of SoulTouch Productions
- Alana Carrington – Creative professional with expertise in the arts, education, and community development
The letter penned by Lakes Area Vineyard lead pastor Troy Easton said Beau Shroyer of Detroit Lakes was “killed in an act of violence while serving Jesus” in Angola.
DETROIT LAKES, Minn. — The leader of a church in northwestern Minnesota announced in a letter to his congregation that one of its members was killed during a Christian mission trip to Africa.
The letter penned by Lakes Area Vineyard lead pastor Troy Easton said Beau Shroyer of Detroit Lakes was “killed in an act of violence while serving Jesus” in Angola, and that many details about Shroyer’s death are still unknown.
“At this point, there are many details about what’s happened that are still unknown, however, we have been in contact with his wife Jackie, and are doing what we can to come alongside them in this shocking and awful time,” the pastor’s letter said.
According to Easton, Shroyer and his wife shared five children.
Arrangements to celebrate Shroyer’s life are still uncertain, the letter read, but Easton said the church will share updates with the public when more information becomes available.
Easton’s letter indicates Shroyer was in Africa with SIM USA, an organization long involved in “cross-cultural missions.”
Investigators say 27-year-old Mayan Deng Mayan shot a man following an argument at the unlicensed party at an Uptown business.
MINNEAPOLIS — A man will serve a sentence of more than 34 years in prison after pleading guilty in a fatal shooting at an after-hours party in Minneapolis.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office says 27-year-old Mayan Deng Mayan was sentenced to 414 months, or 34 1/2 years in prison for the murder, which took place outside an Uptown Minneapolis business that was holding an after-bar party the morning of Sept. 18, 2022.
Police were dispatched to the Fade Barber Shop on the 1600 block of Harmon Place just before 5:30 a.m. and found 28-year-old Birahim Gildersleve of Rochester suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds.
Gildersleve was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center but did not survive.
Investigators learned the shooting followed a verbal argument outside the party and used surveillance video and a license plate reader to identify Mayan as the shooter. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder.
“Mr. Mayan took the life of Birahim Gildersleve and in doing so, devastated Mr. Gildersleve’s loved ones and damaged a community,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “There is no sentence that can repair the harm, but today’s sentence delivers accountability for Mr. Mayan and is in the interest of public safety.”
Mayan will be credited for 585 days already served.
