BODY AND SOUL: Diana and Kathy, Airing This Month on Public Television

Posted on October 15, 2009
"It's unlikely that any movie released this year will feature characters more remarkable than Kathy Conour and Diana Braun. The subjects of a moving new documentary from director Alice Elliott, the unlikely cinematic heroes are waging a war for their lives––and the lives of many others." - Journal News (Lower Hudson Valley, NY) When they met 37 years ago, Diana and Kathy faced early death or a restricted life in a nursing home. Instead, they slipped out of the "system," became advocates for all people with disabilities and began a grand experiment in living meaningful, independent lives. BODY AND SOUL: Diana and Kathy is an exploration of the remarkable bond that has made that possible. BODY AND SOUL: Diana and Kathy airs this month on public television (check local listings). Editor's note: Kathy Conour, one of the main characters of the film, recently passed away. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Kathy had some mobility but lost that when she had an operation on a spinal cyst in 1990. Kathy was a leader and an activist for disability rights. She served on the board of United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois and was active in the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Illinois Center for Independent Living, and People First. Kathy and Diana met Academy Award nominated documentary filmmaker Alice Elliott in 2003 and convinced her to make a film about them. BODY AND SOUL: Diana and Kathy will air this month on Public Television during National Disabilities Awareness Month. Having her story told was a life-long dream of Kathy’s. She loved being the star of the documentary and helped move it forward, encouraging the filmmaker to push through to the finish. This film has won many honors both in the film community and the area of disabilities. Kathy’s dream is still playing out as the film screens in North Carolina, Munich, Germany and Salt Lake City within the next few months. Her humor, intelligence, gracious thoughtfulness and candor will be missed.

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