As a first time mom to a three-month-old baby boy, I have become much more sensitive to stories of motherhood. And to that point, filmmaker Harrison Buck has no trouble pulling at my heartstrings in his short documentary Dragon Mom, which highlights the powerful bond between a mother and her disabled son. In his film, the term “Dragon Mom” is used to describe the mother of a child with a life limiting illness. Much like the name suggests, Dragon Mom is a fiercely honest portrayal of resilience and a mother’s unconditional love.

The Secret to a Fulfilling Life: Gratitude

If ever there was a parent who shines bright with positivity and optimism, despite incredible challenges, it’s Laura Will. Laura is the mother to a five-year-old son, Alden, who lives with a severe disability. Alden is nonverbal and paraplegic, and fully dependent on Laura for every basic need. Despite his limitations, Laura commits to giving Alden the same opportunities his able-bodied peers can experience. This includes advocating for accessibility at her local playground and taking Alden skiing by way of adaptive equipment.

Gratitude is what gives Laura the strength to keep going in the face of emotional, physical, and societal complexities. She explains that she lives her life in deep gratitude for the little things Alden can do. She doesn’t dwell on what he can’t. Her wisdom is admirable, and offers the viewer a deeper understanding of what it means to be truly compassionate.

On Redefining Resilience

One may look at Laura and pity her situation. It is absolutely devastating to know that a parent will outlive their child. However, Laura is the last person to see herself or Alden as victims. Instead, she takes her passion for inclusivity and channels that into tangible action to create a better life for her son. Through intimate interviews, Laura gets real about the struggles and joys of raising a disabled son in a mostly able-bodied world.

Director’s Statement

“This film has been an absolute joy to work on. I think the most challenging part for me was just making sure in the end that we captured Laura’s voice, life and story as honestly as possible, and doing the best justice to those attributes as possible. My hope is that [viewers] see the world with just a little bit more empathy and understanding of what others are going through.” -Harrison Buck, director

Takeaway

Dragon Mom is a resounding achievement of inclusive storytelling and a beautiful beacon of empathy. The film recently premiered at the Lighthouse International Film Festival.