Dandy Kids Documentary (2008) User Reviews

A difficult topic done with heart and respect.

[Louie_Feher-Peiker · 10/10 · 26 February 2008]

To all those who think they know what it is like to have a child with a disability, or think they have all the answers I say "Make sure you say your prayers every day!" These are the types of situations that happen to anyone and everyone, without warning, and it changes your life. "Dandy Kids" takes a topic that is difficult to talk about, more difficult to get information about, even in the medical community, and brings it to the forefront with a very comprehensive look about the disease, its diagnosis, "treatment" (as it is), and the families.

WOW! If this one doesn't move you to want to know more and do something about it, you're probably not fogging a mirror.

Yes, its a documentary. Yes, it's done from a non-conventional way. But when was the last time you saw real people, speaking from their hearts about the most precious things in their lives, their kids, and doing whatever they can to let others know about what they go through and live with every day. It wasn't scripted, it wasn't flashy. It's not supposed to be. It is real. And it is REAL good.

See it, support it, and support the cause! I do. Oh yeah, and it WILL make you cry.

Touching, Enthralling

[kryptonette · 10/10 · 23 February 2008]

I caught Dandy Kids at a sneak preview and was both impressed and moved.

The movie begins with the filmmaker, Darla Rae, recounting a phone call from her pregnant niece: The baby is missing part of his brain. Doctors are encouraging her to terminate the pregnancy.

The baby's disorder is called Dandy Walker syndrome.

Soon, we are invited into intimate conversations of other parents of kids with the rare disorder. The thing is: No one--not even the doctors--knows much of anything about it. They can't even predict the outcome of children who have it. Some, in fact, do just fine! So why do doctors present such bleak outlooks? And what do parents do when faced with this unknown future--and unknown disease? And what can we--each one of us--do to help encourage the research desperately needed to help these families? Through interviews with doctors, researchers and parents, Dandy Kids explores these questions, all the while drawing us into what it must be like to be faced with the awesome responsibility of researching your child's disorder because even your own doctors don't know about it.

At the end of the film last night, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. And yet, it wasn't depressing. It was hopeful.

When you next get a chance to see it, well, you simply must. It has already made an impact on the national scene, helping get support for related legislation.

Inspiring.courageous,and tough to watch,but impactful!

[maurmcd · 10/10 · 8 July 2008]

I was lucky enough to see this movie and realized how lucky I am that I have only had to experience colds,cuts,and scrapes with my kids. This film shows the reality of being told your child won't make it. But it most definitely shows the lengths parents will and do go to in order to be heard. I was able to hear the filmmaker speak of why she allowed the raw footage from families to be rough and how she started to tell the story of her nephew,but uncovered thousands around the world affected by this rare disease called Dandy Walker a Autistic like disease. At times the movie is overwhelming but in the end we find out that this movie helped to give families a voice.

I must admit that it brought tears to my eyes and it made my wife cry. Documentaries are not really my thing but I suggest you get Dandy Kids and be informed and then tell someone else.

These kids are worth it and so is the movie. I can't believe she got members of Congress to listen.

Courageous and educational film

[curtisjanetta414 · 9/10 · 30 August 2008]

I recently had purchased another film the Goal by this director,when I heard that this film was to screen at a film festival,so I went to see it. It is definitely a very cinema verte style documentary.Usually i don't care for them,but this does reel you in immediately starting with the directors own nephew presenting for a science project,which I thought was very emotional. The film shows what lengths parents go to in order to help their children.Having watched this ,my heart goes out to the families. How brave to make a film about a family member and work to get it before Congress.There should be some special award for these families.All I know is that it made me write to my member of Congress. It was both courageous and educational,with a message of Hope for these families with Dandy Walker.These families even provided some of their own footage.It was real,and raw. Bravo!

Great Film,Great Story,Great Cause!

[jammac1 · 10/10 · 4 March 2008]

This is a great story,and great cause and I believe it will help many people.I went to see this film sneak preview as a favor for someone and I didn't really know what to expect.But I will say that it delivered it's message loud and clear,and the audience get's the message through tears. It is truly a film of the heart for these families and kids,and the message. The song featured during a montage will bring a grown man to tears.It did me.It makes you think about what is important.

I hope people will stand up in support of Dandy Kids. It is clear that these kids need help or intervention from someone.Whether it's congress,or doctors,or just all of us who can help by telling others to support this film. Who knows somebody you know could fall into something similar. I say support this film and everyone who rallied around to make it.

Emotional and Tough subject.

[brad-michael369 · 10/10 · 28 January 2010]

Dandy Kids does an excellent job in addressing this rare or not so rare brain condition.I give kudos to Ms. Rae for tackling this subject and to the parents and children for their bravery involved with living with this syndrome. I was interested enough after viewing this to write a letter to my member of Congress. Somebody needs to give Rae some funds to make films.It's obvious that she has a heart to make films that matter. I hope to see more films by this filmmaker. The song featured at the end of the film with the children introducing themselves as Dandy Kids is chocked full of emotion.As a man, and father it made me appreciate the good health of my children even more. Congrats to all involved. I hope that more in the medical community will get a chance to see this film.