Over 26 years ago, paramedic Tom and nurse Tina Felter welcomed Emily into the world. After baby Emily was diagnosed with Down syndrome, the Felters' lives looked different. Tom and Tina reveal the authentic joys and struggles they've experienced parenting Emily. 

Emily finds her place in the world through her colorful language and sense of humor, her fondness of routine, and her deep love for those around her, who love her equally in return. The film shows that, just like everyone else, she has her good and bad days, and her unique ways of communicating her feelings are worth learning and listening to. 

Sometimes that takes patience, which is why Tom developed a presentation called The Emily Talk for first responders and the greater community. Their goal is to teach people how to be respectful of and interact with individuals with disabilities like Emily. 

"In order for disabled characters...in films to be authentically portrayed, we need actually disabled people...producing, directing, and cast to tell our experience the way it should be." Vilissa Thompson, Center for Disability Rights 

"Let's embrace complex needs...I have learned that it is imperative when raising awareness to stop focusing on abilities and use the lens of love instead so that everyone can be on the same footing within the community."
Denise Humberstone, Editor in Chief of Making Chromosomes Count 

"If you’ve met one person with Down syndrome, you’ve met one person with Down syndrome. Everyone is different. Normal being a relative term, we all have normal. Your normal is not our normal. From that aspect, we’re all the same...This is normal, this is us." 

Teacher of Patience is uniquely positioned for BOTH traditional platforms such as HBO, PBS, and film festivals, AND impact-driven platforms such as first responder training, and diversity, equity, and inclusion training. Its 30-minute target duration is intentionally chosen to meet the needs of both traditional and impact-driven platforms.

Prefer to mail a check instead? Make the check out to "Fractured Atlas" with "Teacher of Patience" in the memo line ​and mail to: 
Carmen Vincent
512 W 1100 N
Apt. 3B
​Chesterton, IN 46304

Questions? Email teacherofpatience@gmail.com