Interviews conducted with Micah's Family, Teachers and Caregivers

​Ron Taylor - Micah's Father
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Filmmaker Ron Taylor tells his family's life story about dealing with his son Micah's cerebral palsy and how it affected their lives. His skills as a filmmaker paint an intimate portrait of Micah's journey from early childhood into adulthood with the challenges he faced and still faces today.

Jude Bea - Micah's Mother
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​Jude gave up a career in education in order to care for Micah. While she and Ron are no longer married, their commitment to Micah's well being has kept them close for many years. Jude takes care of Micah now along with Ben Cousland, Micah's early childhood caregiver.

​Jonah Bea-Taylor - Micah's Brother
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Jonah gives an up close and personal perspective on disability. From his feelings about his father's  filmmaking to the sacrifices his parents made to care for his brother, Jonah tells the intimate details of what life truly is like to care for someone with severe disabilities.  

​Maureen Keyes - Step Mother
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Micah's step-mother was amazed about how her son Matthew and Micah interacted when Micah came to live with them. She talks about her getting Micah involved in sporting events at the university where she taught and the benefits for both him and the community.

​Matthew Schotting - Step Brother
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​Matthew doesn't think it's a big deal to take care of Micah. He and Micah did what young people their age do, "go to the bar and be one of the regular folk." He states, "Even though Micah has disabilities, it doesn't seem to get in the way of him enjoying life."

​Brenda Wright - Early Caregiver

Brenda became a caregiver for Micah when he was five years old. She accompanied him to school for four years making life easier on his parents and teachers. Her experience working with Micah caused her to alter her career path and become a physical therapist. ​

​Ben Cousland - Early & Current Caregiver
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Ben has been a caregiver for Micah both as a child and now as an adult. His lifelong commitment to Micah is an indication of the "presents" that Micah has brought him. Ben speaks of learning life's true values through his relationship with Micah.

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​Yvonne Meyer - Preschool Teacher
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Yvonne speaks about how she became a better observer because of her experiences with Micah. She has applied her learning experience with Micah to many years of teaching. Her experiences with Micah also taught her, "There's no human being who's not able to do anything."

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​Jim Heaney - Preschool Teacher

Jim speaks of his experience while assisting Micah climbing a tree and about how, by giving his support, Micah could feel as if he were climbing the tree himself. He emphasizes the importance of keeping quiet so that "he won't miss a clue from Micah."

​Bill Spencer - Elementary School Teacher
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 "Micah came into my class with that assistant and it was really wonderful. There was no burnout on anybody's part."  Bill also says "Micah was just another kid in the classroom." He talks about how he learned patience and compassion from Micah.

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​Mark Sparn - Elementary School Principal

As principle of Flatirons Elementary School, Mark oversaw an inclusion experiment for kids with disabilities and how successful it became. He wanted their experience to be used as a model. He believes through special education "we become much better person centered educators."

Vicki Bordinger - Middle School Teacher
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Vicki talks of how it was a huge impact for her, about how she was learning alongside Micah. She  learned "to make sure that every child was accepted in her classroom." She worked with Maria, Micah's teacher aide, in making certain that Micah was able to participate.

Maria Correa - Teacher Aide

​Maria says "Micah changed her mind about people with disabilities." By working with him she learned that even though Micah has a communication problem, "he is aware of everything that's going on around him." In their own special way, they were able to communicate.

​Beth Keith - Physical Therapist
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Beth became a therapist for Micah after he had hip surgery. She learned new therapies because of Micah's special needs. She speaks of the reciprocal benefits her practice received and she also states, "It wasn't just therapy, it was friendship."

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​Jared Blommel - Caregiver

Jared used his experience with Micah in his personal statement for residency. He was told his words were powerful, that "learning the daily aspect of compassionate care and getting in touch with that loving kindness, that heart that is in all of us brings purpose and meaning into life."