Voices From The Community | Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis

Coming To My Senses: Documentary about exercise therapy - Reeve Foundation

Written by Reeve Staff | May 15, 2018 4:00:00 AM

A new film on the effects of exercise therapy for the spinal cord injured has just been released. Coming To My Senses chronicles the recovery journey of former motocross athlete Aaron Baker who in 1999 broke his C4, C5 & C6 vertebrae. Aaron was clinically declared a complete quadriplegic by his doctors and given million-to-one odds of feeding himself again. Through visualization technique that he learned during his motocross years, Aaron was able to maximize his chances of recovery. Upon meeting Northridge University based exercise clinician Taylor Isaacs, he worked daily for 5-years to reclaim the ability to walk. Now 16-years later Aaron goes on a walking journey across Death Valley where he reflects on his path and how it can best be used to serve others in the SCI and the wider disability community.

Ultimately the film touches on themes of the power of the mind-body connection, the invaluable meaning of a strong support network, and most importantly the lack of available resources in the long term rehabilitation field for those with an injury. Aaron, his mother, and trainer unite to start the Center of Restorative Exercise in Northridge, CA. where they now serve hundreds of individuals looking to reclaim mobility previously thought impossible.

The film spent 2017 on the film festival circuit where it won awards at Austin Film Festival, Mammoth Film Festival and Red Rock Film Festival. It also has been making the rounds screening for hospitals and rehab centers. If you are interested in bringing this film to a rehabilitation venue please reach out to nadia@encompassfilms.com@encompassfilms.com

Coming To My Senses is directed by Dominic Gill, a British filmmaker who specializes in storytelling which focuses on the transformational power of the journey. Dominic is best known for his documentary Take A Seat, in which he undertakes a tandem bicycle journey from Alaska to Argentina and invites strangers to take up his spare seat.

For more information on the film, which officially releases May 15 for VOD download, please visit www.tomysenses.com.