5 out of 5 stars (One of the best I’ve seen in a long time)
My Own Normal is one of the most beautiful films I’ve seen in 2024. It’s an hour-long documentary made by Alexander Freeman, a man living with severe cerebral palsy who wanted to share his story and life with the world as to break the stigmas surrounding disabled people. Now, while no two disabled individuals are the same, seeing this doc about one who has found not only career success but also made a loving family brought tears to my eyes not only for its honesty, but for how inspiring it could be for others within the disabled community. My Own Normal provides a much-needed exploration into disability life and its possibilities that shouldn’t leave a dry eye in the room.
Through interviews with himself and his family along with outside footage, we follow the life of Alexander Freeman, a man with severe cerebral palsy. Despite his many physical challenges, Freeman was able to not only graduate film school, but also found love and had a child with a woman named Orina while building a life together. While that life is rarely easy, the couple’s love for one another carries them through all things big and small
It’s very rare to see a story of a disabled person told by a disabled person, and My Own Normal makes a great example of why more should be out there. Alexander Freeman offers a revealing and sometimes painfully honest look into what life with severe cerebral palsy can look like, but it’s not all doom and gloom. We get a good sense of his early childhood from interviews with his parents, who express love and understandable concern about their son’s future while still supporting him, then jumping to his adult years living with his wife Orina and later their young daughter. He’s aware of the stigma around the disabled community (“helpless”, “constantly angry or sad”) and uses the film to break those stereotypes, showing that while he does need daily assistance from caregivers, he still desires love and acceptance like anyone else. I teared up a few times during this from his and his family’s explanations of their unique yet nurturing life and would encourage everyone to seek it out however you can. My Own Normal shines a much-needed light on cerebral palsy and disabled individuals with honesty, light, and hope for the future. See It!
Not rated