What does having autism look like to you? Maybe you think of an individual who has a difficult time connecting socially, or perhaps you envision someone who is exceptionally bright. The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all persona for individuals who are on the autism spectrum — it is exactly that — a spectrum.
In his documentary, LONELY HIGHWAY, local filmmaker Andy Kwiatkowski chronicles his journey of what it was like to grow up on the autism spectrum. Andy, 18, is a recent graduate of Rampart High School in Colorado Springs and is currently enrolled at The University of Colorado Colorado Springs. While creating a documentary at the Youth Documentary Academy (YDA), Andy turned the camera on himself, his parents and his sister in a deeply telling, intimate portrayal of family love and support, as family members come to terms with the unique challenges of and resilience necessary to support someone on the autistic spectrum. We had the opportunity to sit down with Andy and chat about his film, LONELY HIGHWAY, in the interview below.
LONELY HIGHWAY will be the opening film of The Colorado Premiere of Learning to Drive, presented by The Arc Pikes Peak Region, on Tuesday, February 28, 6 p.m. at Stargazers Theatre and Event Center. This Hollywood-style premiere event features a meet and greet with the star of Learning to Drive, Connor Long, and the Director, Roderick E. Stevens, II. Heavy appetizers will be served, along with a complimentary cocktail. The 28-minute Director’s cut of Learning to Drive will be followed by a Q&A. The Colorado Premiere of Learning to Drive is a fundraising event for The Arc Pikes Peak Region’s capital campaign, Building for Change. This campaign will improve the current facilities at 10 and 12 N. Meade Avenue to be accessible by all. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at: thearcpprlearningtodrive.eventbrite.com
LONELY HIGHWAY will also be a featured film at the 5th Annual Achieve With Us Colorado Film Festival on Wednesday, March 1, at Stargazers Theatre and Event Center. This event is FREE to the public, with showtimes at 1:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for The Colorado Premiere of Learning to Drive, please contact Gin Woolsey at gin@thearcppr.org or (719) 471-4800.
Sponsorship Information:
Subscribe To Our Newsletter and SMS Reminders
The best way to ensure that you receive our newsletter, our event invitations, SMS reminders and other important information is to become a member of The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region.
The best way to ensure that you receive our newsletter, our event invitations, and other important information is to become a member of The Arc of the Pikes Peak Region.
