Unveiling the story of an Autistic Powerlifters life journey
as he represents Canada at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games
in Berlin Germany becoming a World Champion Weight Lifter who
inspires the world with his message that Dreams do come True.
Unveiling the story of an Autistic Powerlifters life journey
as he represents Canada at the 2023 Special Olympics World Games
in Berlin Germany becoming a World Champion Weight Lifter who
inspires the world with his message that Dreams do come True. "5% of funding raised will go toward supporting the Special Olympics program in Canada"
https://vimeo.com/880338005
There is more to this story than simply training to lift weights, its also a story of how a young man embraced his disability and in the process discovered an inner power that is changing the world one lift at a time. Working with Ryan and his support network, we are producing a powerful impact story about the Autism experience as seen through the eyes of someone with lived experience and the effect it has on them and those around them.
Diagnosed with Autism at four years of age, Ryan Kealey, now 27, has navigated his way through life dealing with discrimination, misunderstanding, and bullying while struggling to make sense of a chaotic and at times cruel world. Inspired by comic book superheroes and born with a strong sense of injustice, Ryan wanted to be like them, superpower strong, to be able to stand up for those dealing with injustice. His journey began eight years ago with trainer Jordan Sernaggia in Kamloops, BC. Last February Ryan won a national championship lifting a combined 577.5 kilograms.
This past June Ryan joined the Canadian Special Olympic Team where he represented Canada on the world stage in Berlin Germany Ryan won Gold and Silver medals and rose to become an inspirational role model around the world.. He proved that Dreams do come True.
'Keep following your dreams!' - Ryan Kealey's message for the world
https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=37908575
Ryan does not care about winning medals, he simply competes to improve himself and in the process help other disabled athletes to become the best they can be. He is an inspirational leader and mentor to all. Ryan is strong, super strong in fact, but his true power reveals itself in his compassionate and caring heart.
His journey is a powerful inspirational story that has the ability to change people's perceptions and to create a better understanding of the possibilities of those struggling with mental disabilities.
We are raising money to complete the production. With generous donations from the previous campaign we were able to capture the time sensitive film and sound work that needed to be done prior to the Berlin games. I was also able to join and document the emotional journey of Ryans family as they travelled to the world games and were part of his amazing jounrey.
There is still a lot of behind the scenes work to be done, legal costs, usage rights from ESPN, Insurance, editing, sound design, music score, plus some follow up interviews and B roll. Its a big project.
By supporting this film project you can take great pride in knowing that your donation has helped raise awareness and a better understanding of mental disabilities like Autism. Your financial support is greatly appreciated and will help make the world a better, more kindly place for those that deal with the challenges of mental disabilities on a daily basis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ46miSFpv8&t=29s
Thank You.
Ken Matheson. Director/Producer.
Film Website: https://kenmathesonfilms.ca/beyondtheweights
CBC National News Report
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/clearwater-bc-powerlifter-1.7028596
Castanet Kamloops New Report
Berlin games Link:
https://www.specialolympics.org/our-work/games-and-competition/world-games/special-olympics-world-games-berlin-2023
CFJC News Article, Adam Donnelly:
