Arlo Taylor-Osmond, School of English

The Stevie Project (please note we will be showing the FULL documentary on Wednesday 22 Feb, 16:00-16:30, Michael Sadler LG10)

My presentation revolves around showing my short documentary that I made Fact Not Fiction Films. It follows the story of my family's experience with learning disability. The condition is Tuberous Sclerosis, a rare disorder that affects my 16-year old sister Stevie.

Tuberous Sclerosis causes (mainly benign) growths in different parts of the body, including the brain and heart. Common problems that come with it include epilepsy, autism, learning difficulties and kidney problems, all of Stevie experiences.

The film explores how Stevie copes, despite all the struggles she has in her life. She has a wonderfully charming personality, surprisingly sharp sense of humour and a loving energy that is shown in the film.

But this tale of disability isn't quite like others of its kind. Directing the film, I wanted my own story of being a sibling of a disabled child to be heard. He speaks about the struggles of having to grow up quickly, put your own needs second to your sibling, and coping with the needling thoughts of who they could have been had they been born without learning disability.

It also tells the story of the parent, one that is too often unheard. Not only do my parents have to work hard to dress, feed, and emotionally support my sister the same way they did when she was five, but they have to come to terms with the fact that Stevie won’t do many of the things that girls her age will do. We wanted to resist the ‘feel good’ disability trope, and address the harsh reality of disability in an empowering way.

If nothing else, this film is about struggle. It's for anyone whose struggle is not seen, or recognised. We hope you can resonate with this film.

BA English Literature and Sociology, First Year
I am a 19-year old student at the University of Leeds, studying English Literature and Sociology. I enjoy making films in my spare time, especially documentary and non-fiction film. I grew up in Brighton, East Sussex, where I took A-Levels in English Literature and Language, Sociology and a BTEC in Creative Media Production. It was this last qualification that got me more interested in the documentary form. My portfolio also consists of music videos, adverts and shorts that are yet to be uploaded online.