Pain & Harmony is now streaming on Plex, Tubi, Prime Video, Apple TV and more! This is my first time having my music featured in a movie! @carolynobrien_ sings a beautiful rendition of my song Once Upon a Time in the film ❤️ congrats to the whole cast and crew!
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@gchildfilms #painandharmony #texasfilm #blackfilmmakers #indiefilm
Getting to see Mantis on the big screen and walk the red carpet at #diff2026 was an incredible, surreal experience. My dad has been my biggest supporter since day 1. Getting to have him there at my first red carpet premiere made it even more special ❤️
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@mantis.thefilm@wearediffdallas
#MANTISthejusticefilm
Something I want to address this #autismawarenessmonth as a mom of a nonverbal Autistic child. A lot of things people say or do are well-meaning but actually not helpful or even harmful. I can't speak for everyone, but for me- these are some things I would like people to know:
Don't say "I'm sorry" when you hear about my daughter's Autism. I don't need an apology. There's nothing wrong with her. She doesn't have a disease. I don't want apologies for my child existing as herself.
Don't offer "cures" or suggestions to "help her get better". Autism isn't something you cure or recover from. It's the operating system of her brain.
Don't say things like "she doesn't like me" when she isn't affectionate, doesn't want to be held, etc. Her grandpa is one of her favorite people in the world. She smiles and points at his picture when she sees it on my phone or her AAC device. She does her happy dance when he comes over. He's one of the only people that she's comfortable babysitting her. Yet, she won't let him hold her if I'm in the room (she'll only want me if I'm there), she doesn't often say hi to him, she'll get upset if he tries to pick her up often. She's the same with her dad. She loves to cuddle when she's in the mood for it and comfortable enough, but she most often doesn't like to be touched. It can be really hurtful to hear "she hates me" just because she's not affectionate or she's attached to me as her safe person. She's such a sweet loving girl. She shows care by smiling at you (sometimes), bringing you things to show you, letting you hold her toys, or sometimes asking you to pick her up to pass her to me (lol). Just because she shows love differently, doesn't mean she doesn't like you.
Don't comment negatively on her accommodations. She wears a leash backpack in public places because she tries to run out of buildings, run toward the street, etc. No, telling her "hold my hand, stay next to me, if you run outside a car could hurt you" does not work. She has no concept of safety in that way. She also has a tablet for communication and regulation.
DO respect boundaries, have patience, and treat her with kindness, just like anyone else ❤️✌🏽
