Rock Faced It All
One woman's climb with Parkinson's
Rock Faced It All
One woman's climb with Parkinson's
United States
- $10,787 raised of $28,640 goal
- 44 donations
- 36 days left
Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas
Rock Faced It All (Short Film)
Raising $28,640 by August 31
Teresa Bennett was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and started rock climbing at age 65.
Rock Faced It All is a short documentary about this Salvadoran-American woman rock climbing her way through life with Parkinson's.
Our mission is to share how rock climbing can be a means to build strength and resilience in the face of diseases like Parkinson’s.
Our team:
- Clare Bennett, producer & director
- Isabela Zawistowska, director & director of photography
- Olivia Rose Curry, editor (thanks to our production partner Picture North!)
To complete the film in 2025, we need your support to raise $28,640 by August 31!
Fractured Atlas is our 501(c)3 Fiscal Sponsor, which allows your contributions to be tax-deductible.
Story
When Teresa was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at age 64, she never imagined that a year later, she'd be scaling 60-foot walls with the grace and determination of a seasoned climber.
Rock Faced It All explores her journey of resilience, community, and joy as she continues to face challenges head-on.
Recently featured on NBC’s TODAY Show, Teresa scales rock walls multiple times a week with a group of climbers who all have Parkinson’s.
Teresa is evidence of the benefits that climbing can have in mitigating Parkinson’s symptoms, and she is a board member of Up Ending Parkinsons, a nonprofit that provides guided rock climbing for people living with the disease.
Teresa’s grit and determination are contagious. In her eyes, nothing is too challenging or daunting to take on at any age. (Like how she’s competed in USA Climbing’s Paraclimbing Nationals two years in a row!)
Teresa continues to inspire those around her, and we’re eager to share her story with you.
Why now?
Parkinson's disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease and the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S.
With its aging population, the U.S. will likely see the number of Parkinson's cases surge in the next couple decades.
Rock climbing is an accessible way to augment treatment for Parkinson’s and slow the progression of this incurable disease.
Climb on!
Timeline
Pre-Development: February - July 2025
Production: March - October 2025
- First shoot: Paraclimbing Nationals in Oakland, CA (February 28 - March 2)
- Second shoot: Teresa at her home crag in the DC area (October 13 - 17)
Post-Production: October - December 2025
- Editing and film composition
- Sound design and color correction
Film Deadline: December 20, 2025
Funding
To bring our story to the screen, we need your support to raise $28,640 by August 31!
Costs
Production
- USA Climbing Paraclimbing Nationals shoot - $4,939
- Crew - $14,950
- Gear rentals - $1,140
- Travel (flights, hotels, rental car, baggage, per diem) - $ 1,795
- Craft services (crew lunches, coffee, etc.) - $495
Post-Production
- Sound, color, music - $3,200
Other
- Fiscal sponsor fee - $2,121
Donation Tiers
What we can offer you in exchange for your generous support —
$5,000+
- Executive Producer credit in the film
- Invitation to be an extra on set
- Thank you credits in the film
$2,500+
- Thank you credits in the film
- Film poster signed by Teresa
$1,000+
- Thank you credits in the film
$250+
- A personal thank you note
Our team deeply appreciates any amount you’re able to contribute. This short film simply will not happen without your support!
Please consider donating to help us raise $28,640 by August 31!
Rewards
$250+
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
A personal thank you note
8 claimed
$1,000+
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Thank you credits in the film
0 claimed
$2,500+
Donate $2,500.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Thank you credits in the film
Film poster signed by Teresa
Film poster signed by Teresa
0 claimed
$5,000+
Donate $5,000.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Executive Producer credit in the film
Invitation to be an extra on set
Invitation to be an extra on set
Thank you credits in the film
1 / 5 claimed