The Institute on Disability (IOD) at the University of New Hampshire has received a $5,000 grant from the Rotary Club of Concord, NH, to support a new film by IOD filmmaker Dan Habib. It features Concord High School Principal Gene Connolly, who continued to lead the school last year despite the debilitating effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or ALS).
“In the years since the onset of his ALS, Connolly has shown tremendous persistence and leadership in the face of this degenerative disease,” says Habib. “I am thankful to the Concord Rotary Club for supporting this project, which will highlight Principal Connolly’s commitment to using his disability to spark community-wide dialogue around resiliency, compassion, and human rights.”
In early 2016, Habib worked with Connolly, CHS staff members, and the entire student body on a remarkable interview process, akin to the ‘StoryCorps’ model of public radio but captured on video. CHS students submitted more than a 1000 questions for Connolly, which were then narrowed down to 50 insightful and highly personal questions, such as:
- Do you ever get angry about being in your limiting situation?
- What do you want the students of CHS to learn from this?
- Do you have advice as to how to live one’s life to the fullest in the time we have?
- What is one thing you miss and what is something you have gained?
The core of the film will be the footage of students asking questions of Connolly, and his answers delivered with the speech generation software on his iPad. The film will also include Habib’s recent documentary footage of Connolly’s life in and out of Concord High School, plus Concord TV’s archival footage of Connolly’s activities as principal from the past 14 years.
This 20-30 minute film will be completed in Spring 2017 and screened for students and staff at Concord High School, broadcast on Concord TV, shared at a premiere event at Red River Theatres, and available for free online.
To make a tax-deductible contribution to support the production of this film, go to support.danhabibfilms.com.
Dan Habib is the creator of the award-winning documentary films Including Samuel, Who Cares About Kelsey?, and Restraint and Seclusion: Hear Our Stories. He screens his films across the country and leads discussions about the challenges and benefits of inclusive education and related topics. Habib delivered a TEDx talk titled Disabling Segregation, and received the Justice for All Grassroots Award from the American Association of People with Disabilities. In 2014, Habib was appointed by President Barack Obama to the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities—a committee that promotes policies and initiatives that support independence and lifelong inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities. His new feature-length documentary film project, Intelligent Lives, will be released in winter 2017-2018.
Photos Available for Download:
CONNOLLY PHOTO 1: Concord (NH) High School student Dan LeBell asks Gene Connolly (near the school’s duck mascot) a question as part of a new film about the former Concord High School Principal, who continued to lead the school last year despite the debilitating effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or ALS). Photo courtesy Dan Habib/UNH Institute on Disability
CONNOLLY PHOTO 1: Concord (NH) High School student Brinkley Brown asks Gene Connolly a question as part of a new film about the former Concord High School Principal, who continued to lead the school last year despite the debilitating effects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (or ALS). Photo courtesy Dan Habib/UNH Institute on Disability
HEADSHOT:
Dan Habib
Project Director and Filmmaker, Institute on Disability.
Photo courtesy UNH Institute on Disability
