I put this short film together at the request of the Arc of Northern Virginia. It features Virginians with intellectual disabilities who stand to be hurt by thoughtless, cruel names they might be called.
On a frosty morning in September 2007, Karen Gaffney plunged into the dark waters of Lake Tahoe. Her ambitious goal: to join the few ultra-swimmers who’ve crossed the width of the lake and to be the first woman to cross in the bone-chilling cold of late September.
Having Down syndrome was the least of her challenges. To conquer the nine-mile distance, she would need all the strength, courage and spirit she had.
Published in 2003.
1 hour, 48 minutes.
Color / Dolby Digital Stereo
Down Syndrome
The First 18 Months
Order for $34.99 on
$5 off of full price of $39.99
A
comprehensive overview of what to expect and what to do for babies and children
with Down syndrome from birth to walking.
Features crucial information
from many of the world's top Down syndrome experts and experienced
parents of children with Down syndrome.
"WOW!! I wish this video was available when my daughter was born almost 3 years ago! It should be included in every diaper bag from the hospital when the child has Down syndrome! It is all of the information that I wish I knew when my daughter was first born. It is like Down syndrome 101." --comment on Amazon.com
Written, Edited and Produced
by Will Schermerhorn
Published in 2008.
2 hours for main and related programs.
Color / Dolby Digital Stereo
NEW!
Kids with Down Syndrome
Staying Healthy and Making Friends
Order for $29.99 on
An up-to-date and comprehensive guide to the social and health issues
for children with Down syndrome. Topics include toilet training, managing behavior, sleep
problems and the crucial ear and hearing concerns.
A review of Kids with Down Syndrome from the April 2008 Down Syndrome News:
"I continue to be a big fan
of Schermerhorn’s videos. ... Schermerhorn’s skill with this format lets him pack a
lot of information into the video, which is great for busy
parents of newborns, toddlers and school-age
children who are looking for an introduction or a
refresher on issues that may come with growing up
with DS."
Published in 2005.
1 hour, 21 minutes.
Color / Dolby Digital Stereo
Discovery
Pathways to Better Speech
for Children with Down Syndrome
Order for $24.99 on
$5 off of full price of $29.99
Explore
the real world of speech in children with Down syndrome and discover
strategies to encourage a child's best possible speech.
With
examples and stories about development and focused, valuable interviews
with top professionals in the field of Down syndrome speech, the film
shows how to encourage better speech and communication from an early
age.
Published in 2006.
59 minutes for main and related programs.
Color / Dolby Digital Stereo
What Did You Say?
A Guide to Speech Intelligibility
in People with Down Syndrome
Order for $29.99 on
Identifying
factors that affect an individual's speech clarity is the essential
first step in developing a strategy to improve that person's speech
clarity.
In this film, Libby Kumin, founder of
the Down Syndrome Center for Excellence and one of the top speech
language patholologists in the United States, takes viewers
step-by-step through the factors that affect speech in youngsters and
adults with Down syndrome.
This DVD includes the companion film, "Speech Intelligibility and Your Child's IEP."
Written by Libby Kumin, Ph.D. CCC-SLP, Directed and Edited by Will Schermerhorn, Produced by Kumin and Schermerhorn
Photography
Get in touch with Will Schermerhorn to schedule a time for photos.
To Ride, a photo session video for Shaken Baby Prevention
Kidz Clubhouse, a promotional film for Kidz Clubhouse's summer camp programs for kids with special needs.
News and Info about Blueberry Shoes Productions
Will Schermerhorn
I created Blueberry Shoes Productions LLC in 2002 to be a photography and filmmaking outfit of my own. At the time, I was in the early stages of work on "Down Syndrome: The First 18 Months," my first full-length film.
I published "DS:18" in 2003, about the time I went to work full time for an Internet company. Four years later, summer of 2007, I left full-time employment for a different Internet company and have been working way more than full time on film and photography for myself.
Why do it? Well... I was a newspaper reporter for nine years, and that ingrains a way of thinking about information that you can't really shake. When my son, Mason, was born in 2000, we found he has Down syndrome. Months later, I realized that I could bring a reporter's discipline to the preparation of an education film about Down syndrome.
That's my goal, to set aside sentimentality and wishful thinking to present a series of balanced films that give honest answers in a straightforward way.
New Film!
Published in March
My newest film is called "Crossing Tahoe: A Swimmer's Dream." It's a straight-on documentary on the magnificent performance by Karen Gaffney this past fall. I don't want to give away the ending in case you didn't hear all about it then, but Karen, 29, sought to swim the nine-mile width of Lake Tahoe on Sept. 25. Through the generosity of her family, I had the honor and privilege of following her three weeks of training at the lake and then to be there on swim day.
Here is a clip showing the first seven or so minutes. Click to play it.
Blueberry Shoes Production Blog
This is a journal I am keeping of my projects and my technical notes. I hope it will be helpful to other filmmakers, who, God help them, are pursuing this sort of work too.
By
ordering directly from Blueberry Shoes Productions, your Down syndrome
support organization can save close to 50 percent on your total order.
The discounts apply to orders of 10 or more DVDs of Down Syndrome: The First 18 Months.
Shipping costs are extra. Virginia organizations that are not tax-exempt will be charged state sales tax.
Box of 10 (25 percent discount)
Order 10 for $299.99
25 percent off of full price of $39.99
Box of 25 (50 percent discount)
Order 25 for $499.99
50 percent off of full price of $39.99
Box of 50 (50 percent discount)
Order 50 for $999.99
50 percent off of full price of $39.99
Blueberry Shoes Productions Photo Shoots
The cost of a family photo shoot with Blueberry Shoes Productions is $150, flat rate. Virginia residents pay state sales tax. If you would like to purchase a family photo shoot right here, click the button below. You'll be taken to a Pay Pal page first, so clicking does not immediately result in payment.
Disc of 15 photos for $150
If you have purchased a disc of 15 high-resolution photos, you can click below to add that to your cart. Virginia residents pay state sales tax.
Reach Blueberry Shoes Productions in these ways:
E-mail:
Will@blueberryshoes.com
Phone:
(703) 338-1776
Fax:
(888) 380-2633
Postal Mail:
Blueberry Shoes Productions LLC
1916 Aubrey Place Court
Vienna, Virginia 22182-1976
Published in 2006. 
