Watch Including Samuel

Including Samuel is a compelling documentary film that follows the struggles faced by a family living with a child who has cerebral palsy. The movie was released in 2007 and was directed by Dan Habib, a filmmaker who has also worked as a photojournalist for the Concord Monitor. The film is a deeply personal account of the experiences of the Habib family, who have a son named Samuel who has cerebral palsy. The film chronicles the family's journey as they navigate the numerous hurdles that come with raising a child with a disability. From the difficult decisions regarding Samuel's education to the emotional toll that his condition takes on the family, Including Samuel is an honest portrayal of the realities of living with cerebral palsy.

The film's narrative is structured around the stories of several families who have children with disabilities. The families are from different cultural backgrounds and have different experiences, but all face similar challenges when it comes to raising their children. Featuring interviews with a diverse group of parents, educators, and disability rights advocates, the film provides a nuanced perspective on disability and the challenges that families face when dealing with it.

Throughout the film, Samuel's parents share their reflections on their experiences and the impact that raising a child with cerebral palsy has had on their family. Habib also includes footage of Samuel in various stages of his life, from his birth to his teenage years. This footage serves as a poignant reminder of the day-to-day realities of living with cerebral palsy.

One of the central themes of the film is the struggle for inclusion that families with disabled children face. Samuel's parents recount their battle to ensure that their son receives the same educational opportunities as his non-disabled peers. This struggle is not unique to Samuel's family, as many of the families featured in the film have had to fight for inclusion in schools and other public spaces.

As the film progresses, Including Samuel becomes a larger meditation on the nature of disability and the way in which our society treats people with disabilities. Habib uses his position as a filmmaker to highlight the injustices and discrimination that disabled people face on a daily basis. He also emphasizes the importance of creating a more inclusive society, one in which disabled people are valued and their abilities celebrated.

Overall, Including Samuel is an incredibly moving and insightful documentary about the struggles that families with disabled children face. Habib's film is a powerful call to action, urging us to create a more inclusive and compassionate society. By providing an intimate and honest portrayal of what it means to have a child with a disability, Including Samuel brings much-needed attention to an issue that is too often ignored or overlooked.

Including Samuel is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.6.