"Paper" - A Look Into Jared's World (Through His Sister's Eyes)

Hey guys, this is very different from what I usually upload. My mom's been bugging me for some time to post this, so I finally did. Anyway, this is very personal video about my brother Jared. He is fifteen years old, fourteen at the time that this was filmed, and he means the world to my family and I. He was diagnosed with Austism when he was just three years old, but is as funny, smart and agile as any fifteen year old, in our opinion. 'Doing paper', that is, putting toilet paper in a bowl and drawing lines with markers on printer paper, are a couple of what most people would call stims or obsessions. However, I see an artsiness and thoughtfulness there in the way we does these things. Thus, I used Jared and his activities as the subject of a film project for my time-based media class. In this project I hoped to show Jared's inner thoughts, as well as depict how I see him, while approaching the delicate subject of Austism with sensitivity and and respect. So, here it is. :)

Note:

-This was filmed in one shot with no retakes. Everything here is real and happened in a three hour period.
-There is a blur at the beginning because I don't want my full name on the internet
-I used Yiruma's the River Flows in You
-Sony Vegas for editing
-Canon Mini DV camera for recording

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• paper
• autism
• video
• life
• sister
• brother
• family
• perspective
• yiruma
• river
• flows
• in
• you
• memoirs
• parent
• cure
• disability
• disabilities
• developmental
• stim
• obsession
• art
• music

[Pianofreak161]

Cried. My brother has Autism as well, and he's going through the troublesome years of puberty in the mean time as well. It's taken such a huge toll on our family, but he's amazingly creative. He escapes into his own little world through LEGO and making videos. He often talks about being different from everyone.

I just cry sometimes, cause life would be so much different if he wasn't autistic, but he's still an amazing fourteen year old.

Thanks for posting this.

[xNightshadex]

@Pianofreak161 It's definately hard, and I sure get the teen thing. Jared's going to be 17 in January. It's great that your brother has so much languag though! :D Jared can't really tell us how he's feeling most of the time, not in words anyway. Yeah, I cry too :( I think we all do. But no matter how hard it is for us, it's harder for them ,that's for sure. And no problem, I'm glad I did too lol :)

[beachhorsegirl]

OH NO!! I was going to give you 5 stars *I think you deserve more but it only goes up to 5 ;)* but I clicked 4, Im SOO sorry!! D:

[xNightshadex]

Lol! It's not a big deal, I assure you :) but thanks!

[LittleFoxDemon2]

My younger nephew has this too. (He's 13.) I'm not sure how it is to live with someone with Autism, but even when I'm with my nephew it can sometimes be hard. =/ I see him a lot, but not everyday..

Beautiful video though. =]

[xNightshadex]

It's incredibly hard, to put it lightly. There are lots of good days, but when the bad ones come its...well, bad lol. I hope your nephew's doing well :) I sometimes forget how widespread Autism is, but its nice to know we're not alone.

[Rikku93AlBhed]

He's creative, just like his sister :)

[KitakLaw]

lol - I noticed :) By the way, you two look really alike, in my opinion.

[MrPerfle]

yeah, i know how you feel; my older brother has autism, his speech is good but he finds it very hard to socialise, it hurts seeing him walk about on his own all the time

and sometimes he will talk constantly but in others he will keep to himself, not coming out of his room for hours

[heyheypachuco]

A year later, this film still gives me chills. What a wonderful piece about a wonderful person - and you executed it simply and beautifully. I love the softened edges and the music you used. This has actually inspired me to finally make a short documentary, or maybe just a shorter video like this, of my brother with Down's Syndrome (I posted a year ago as Geenra!) but now I'm worried I'd be copying off you too much because I love this video....it's so inspiring!

[xXForeverRoseXx]

This video is so heart-warming and sweet. I love it. He's very talented with his art. :) I nearlly cried. You just filmed it with such emotion and you can feel it just by watching it and you feel like your there with him. :) It's beautiful, well done.

[jessliesweet]

am a co-moderator on the facebook page Artists and Autism. I can't tell you enough how much this touched my heart. If you are on FB please check out the page Artists and Autism. Your video has gotten some beautiful feedback. I just wanted to let you know you touch the hearts of many with you and your brothers talent. You should be very proud of yourself! I love the way you taped this, so very creative. Thanks so much. Lisa

[mimmom]

beautiful

[MsAmyBoy]

Amazing. I know how hard it is to share these moments, but its also healing.

[Penguin3pinky]

This is soooo touching - especially to me (makes me want to cry with the song you chose) because I have a brother with Down's Syndrome. He is "charming" as my mom likes to say but the big happy smile that your brother says looks just like my brothers. Thanx :D