I have to interupt my daily training schedule for this important post!

Mary Stuart, Aaron Stanford, Jesse Scolaro, Sam & Ally at Cake Eaters Party

Most of the time it’s just good practice to have an open heart and be willing to reach out to help anyone who asks.  But sometimes you reach to help and it’s PAY DIRT!  A few years back I was asked if we would consider helping a director with a small movie that was being done in New York.  They needed help understanding what life was like living it with Friedreich’s Ataxia.  There would be a character in the movie with Friedreich’s ataxia and the director was very sensitive to portray the disease correctly.  I thought this was great!  First that someone would actually pick Friedreich’s (what a great way to get many messages across) and that a director would be that kind of a person to care about portraying it correctly!  It was probably a young person from NYU or somewhere like that.  I, of course asked the girls and they were also quick to say “no problem- we can help” so onward we went.

Jeremy Davidson and Ally at our annual fundraiser

I think pretty much everyone knows the rest.  The director ended up not being a young college student but non other than the very notable Mary Stuart Masterson!  The journey began and really hasn’t ended.  We went to NYC and interviewed with them.  Yes, the questions were sensitive and personal but the results were tremendous.  I say that because we had the chance to meet people who are so dedicated to film and telling stories that are meaningful and passionate!  One would think that it would all end there!  But they didn’t use us and dump us, we went to see some filming of the movie, met more great people and developed friendships that will stay with us forever.  Mary Stuart and her husband Jeremy Davidson as well as Aaron Stanford have been dedicated FARA supporters since that first day we all met.  Aaron is a great actor who plays opposite Kristen Stuart in the Cake Eaters.  Kristen does an unbelievable job with the part of a young girl with Friedreich’s Ataxia and Aaron represents hope to me.  His character is quriky but real. Aaron has also continued to support us so much in friendship we are truly grateful to know him!  The movie is filled with emotion and realism and puts a face on the human side of the disease.

Aaron and Sam at a Sandy Lane's fundraiser in California

It is premiering at the Avon Theater in Stamford, CT on Thursday March 19th -7:00pm…probably just about when I will be riding into Seattle.  Please think about going to see this movie!  It is great and you will see that Mary Stuart Masterson is not just a great actor but is able to direct with the same energy putting so much thought and emotion into her film.

www.thecakeeaters.com

So when you have one extremely talented person of course they end up marrying another extremely talented person!

Jeremy Davidson and Mary Stuart had to be destined for each other in this life.  They are two peas in a pod-kind, caring, filled with integrity and dignity!  Jeremy just finished directing his movie called Tickling Leo.  I don’t know of a premiere date yet but you have to go to the website to watch the trailer.  I know I can’t wait to see it!  You can view the info at

www.ticklingleothemovie.net.

Once again a movie filled with passion and emotion, a story worth telling!

We will never forget that day when we first met! We cherish the fact that we stay in touch to this day. We are grateful for the opportunity and it is a reminder to me everyday that opening your heart can actually change your life……almost always for the better !

Thanks for seeing these worthwhile movies and making a positive contribution to the arts!

The gang at the filming of the Cake Eaters

Well …..Back to my bike, two days left till I head to Portland :-0!

In Peace & Love,

Meir