About this Short Film
No description available for this film.
Film Details
Country:
Australia
State:
New South Wales
Category:
Open Entrant Documentaries
Festival Year:
2018
Filmmaker:
Nicole Molloy & Matt Watt
Film Transcript
We knew a third little boy was coming along, so we were very excited. They were extremely excited when Nash came along. Nash really made the house even busier and more active; we were kind of getting closer to having a full rowing team. It didn't take long to notice there were some issues, and it was around feeding and his mouth and sucking — that's where the initial concerns came in.
In the early days, the hardest part was trying to work out what was going on. Little things — the other two boys were probably crawling and very active at six months, whereas Nash was still really struggling to learn how to sit. In the meantime we were seeing other specialists and allied health people around crawling and rolling. That's when we started this obstacle course of about six different doctors: blood tests, gene tests, an eye test, a brain scan — it was over a period of about three months.
I guess the hardest day was when we walked in and got our diagnosis. He set us down and very slowly read through his blood results and all that, then he opened up a big book, which was his medical journal. It was very hard for him; he was stumbling to try and get out the words. What he was basically saying was, in short, your son's got Angelman syndrome.
The hardest part of hearing the doctor's diagnosis was when he was reading it from the book, saying something along the lines of "80% of children with Angelman syndrome will never walk, they'll never talk." I felt like he couldn't be able to do anything. The doctor was great, but to be honest he knew very, very little about it. It's a very rare genetic disorder with three different versions — a mutation, a gene totally missing, and a gene that's kind of half-grown on chromosome 15. What that gene does is produce a protein which helps activate the brain and puts everything together. For Nash, he's basically missing that — he's got a deletion. What was explained was everything working at an extremely slow pace.
One of the biggest shocks with Angelman was definitely the seizures. For us, he has these things called drop seizures, which is basically he'll be actively happy and crawling around and he'll just kind of pass out. It's upsetting and scary at the same time, and we've had several happen here, sometimes multiple too many at once. Since the diagnosis we've worked a lot with Nash privately, doing a lot of early intervention therapies. The physio and the OT are basically trying to put everything together and show Nash how to walk and how to crawl properly and grab things in his whole hand. So now he stands and furniture-walks, which, coming out of the doctor, probably wouldn't have been a possibility. He's now climbing stairs, which is really stunning, and it keeps him quite active throughout the house. With the walker he's definitely walking around and he gets really excited trying to do that.
Nash loves the water. When he's in the water he's weightless — he kicks around and he loves it. He loves our dog Roxie as well; he will hang out with her all day and it's great for him. He loves his food. Nash probably would win the week. The biggest challenge in the house is Jett — Nash and Jett are probably the best thing ever. Basically our house is like a wrestling ring; they're constantly wrestling and tackling, hanging on to each other, and Nash tries to jump in there and have a crack. He loves it and he just tries to keep up.
We've discovered some ambassadors for Angelman, one of them being Damien Cook, who's a senior Rabbitoh. Nash's mum happened to recognise him at the local shops one day, just grabbed Nash and ran over to him to have a chat and a photo, which was fantastic.
One thing that's amazing about Nash is he's always happy. It really puts a kick in your step when you see how happy he is every day. We'll be pushing him in the pram and see people walking towards us with huge smiles on their faces, and then I look over and he's just laughing at them — biggest smile from ear to ear. It brings so much joy to our lives, and without a doubt our lives wouldn't be the same without him.
Nash has just come so far. Turning next month, we came out of the doctor's surgery and we just focus on day-to-day and where he's up to daily and what he does achieve, which is amazing. From the beginning we were told negatives, but now all we really see are a lot of positives. I honestly believe, however the term Angelman is, he will walk.
Filmmaker
Nicole Molloy & Matt Watt is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Nicole Molloy & Matt Watt.
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34 comments
Such an inspiring video and so well done congratulations.. You can't help the tears falling but then again seeing such a beautiful smile on Nash's face counteracts your tears.Mel and Matt have embraced the situation so positively and Nash is obviously surrounded by so much love from everyone in the family. Prayer changes things too so that's what I will contribute and I am sure He Will Walk and do so much more. Xx
My nephew and his wife have a child with Angels man and hes beautiful just like your Nash. Tynan is walking and into everything. He always has a big smile on his gorgeous face. Your boy was lucky he chose you as his parents
He Will Walk. After watching this short film I have no doubt about that Such a strong little boy and amazing brothers parents family. Inspiring to all of us and would like to wish the family all the best for the future.
Inspiring video
This is a beautiful story of one determined little boy. He will walk. He has a beautiful supportive family so much love in his life. So inspirational
What a fantastic film cograts nicmattheath and Mel. He will Walk
He will walk. What a beautiful film Nic I love can see the sparkle in his eyes. Such a beautiful family.
Beautiful film on a beautiful little boy Nash who has Angelman Syndrome. With the amount of determination he has all the love of his family Ive no doubt he will walk.I am so very proud have nothing but love for Melanie Heath on how they are handling it all as well as not forgetting they have two other boys who are involved in sport school general mucking about - one in all in - familyThank you Nicole Matt for all your time effort in putting this film together.
What a wonderful and inspiring film. His smile is worth a thousand words. God bless you little Nash and to your amazing supportive family
A showcase of positivity with a family who wasnt going to give up. You can see determination and joy surrounded by amazing family and friends.
Beautiful Watching this made me emotional. Its like a look back to rough time we had after we got our angel diagnose. Last year when doctor dropped the bomb we were so crashed Dan was 2 army crawl was the only way of being mobile but with positive attitude and lots of effort teamwork from everyone especially Dan in 8 months he walks. He walks everywhere now. So i am super sure Nash will walk too. Hell run just like my Dan. And yes they bring such a pure joy to our family.
Well put together Nic Matt
Thanks Matt and Nic what a beautiful film great job I am so proud of you all and my son and mel and my grandsons
What a gorgeous boy such a great Mum Dad whole family it's a terriic film good luck with getting the message out there@ with the support that Nash is getting I'm sure he will walk too as well as have a fulfilling life. xx
God breaks hearts for so many things but above all He shows hope.Hope is an optimistic state of mind based on expecting positive outcomes with respect to circumstances in one's life. Optimism from the Latin optimum meaning best is a hope that the outcome of some specific endeavor will be positive. A useful tool to illustrate optimism versus pessimism is a glass filled with water to the halfway point where an optimist is said to see the glass as half full and a pessimist sees the glass as half empty.Variation in optimism and pessimism is somewhat a trait given through-heritage and genetics -It is also influenced by other important factors such as family environmentWith this in mind Nashs great smile shows he is a half full glass kind of guy with great heritage of strength with genetics being a bit of a slouch but backed up by a wonderful family. Hey courage Nash and you will walk
What an amazing film raising awareness for Angelman syndrome. I wish you all the best and am sure with the love and support youve shown in the film for Nash will give him the best chance to walk and lead a normal life.
What a fantastic documentary on a syndrome we have never heard of till now. And a bueatifull job my son Heath n daughter in law. Mell. Zach n Jett. Are doing with young Nash with a lot of Love n time this young kid will be dancing and singing in no Time. Love pop
Loved the film about a Georgia little boy called Nash what a determined little fellow I am sure he will walk talk catch up with his 2 big brothers who love him heaps. what wonderful parents who put in lots of time love with all this in front of Nash the world is his oister go Nash you little beauty xxc
An inspiring film. The positive approach is sure to achieve results. Best wishes to all the family.
Thankyou for sharing your story I wish you all the best with Nash achieving many things. Your focus and positivity is amazing.
Such a lovely little beautiful person whom is very much loved by all his family and all those around him. He will walk with such terrific support. God bless a little champion.
Love you Nashy Bear
Very clever boy and very good Family Love to you all from Spain
What a positive message and family. Nash is such a beautiful child. Yes he will walk and more with the wonderful support of his dedicated and loving family.
Well done on an amazing film an amazing story and 2 amazing parents. Love you Nashhewillwalk
Amazing film
Wow What an inspiration Go get em little guy
Great film guys Thanks for spreading the awareness of Angleman syndrome. I'm so proud to show everyone Nash's journey
Such an amazing little soul Nash is What a wonderful insight of seeing such a happy little boy fightingbeating the odds of angleman syndrome. Well done to Nashs family for being so brave and strong in facing all these difficult obstacles. What an inspiration they all are. Goodluck Beautiful Nash xo
What an inspiring Documentary film on a truly strong family. An informative yet moving Documentary shedding light on very rare syndrome. Nash will definitely walk again with such dedicated Family and Friends...
Incredible family
What a beautiful clip He WILL walk he is already making great strides towards that wonderful goal so many take for granted. This video illustrates his personality his determination and his ability perfectly. Thank you.
Great film very moving and inspirational well done will definitely get the word out there as not much is known about Angelmans
You are an incredible family what you are enduring is a parents worst nightmare. He will walk with your support and love he will thrive. a heartfelt and moving video. Good luck in your life's journey. Stay strong.