Title...
Proclamation recognizing the Lund family of Upper St. Clair for sharing their story in the documentary entitled "The Family Next Door" and for raising awareness of autism.
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WHEREAS, "The Family Next Door" is a feature-length documentary film, written, directed and produced by Barry Reese with Mike Messner, that follows the Lund family from Upper St. Clair; and
WHEREAS, the movie explores the effect that autism of Donny, 14, who is high functioning, and Brian, 7, who is nonverbal, has on the rest of the family: parents Don and Donna, a former teacher and a Pittsburgh lawyer, respectively; and their other children, Nikki, 17, and Catie, 12; and
WHEREAS, shot over 16 months in 2011-2012, the film explores how the family dynamic is formed by the members' challenges, grace and determination in dealing with the autism of Donny and Brian; what emerges is a portrait of one family's love, sadness, joy, honesty, humor, frustration and acceptance; and
WHEREAS, the film was shown to a sellout crowd on October 1st and an encore presentation will take place on November 19th at Phoenix Big Cinemas Chartiers Valley Stadium 18 in Collier Township, with all ticket donations benefitting the Autism Society of Pittsburgh;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby recognize the Lund family for sharing their story in "The Family Next Door" and for offering hope and courage to families and individuals that are confronting the challenges of autism and working to overcome the disorder to live productive and healthy lifestyles.