Korbin’s First Movie
Stories like this is what makes Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) and its members so incredibly special and life-changers. Thank you to Alan Hanstein, Kaley Gross, and the team at Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee for helping sweet Korbin. Inclusivity MATTERS everywhere, but especially in the giant screen cinema space.
Korbin’s Mom shared the following:
Today was a very special day. A day NINE years in the making to be exact.
After Korbin’s regression, many activities became impossible for him to handle. Even things he enjoyed were unbearable for him due to crowds, noises, sensory input levels or other anxiety producing circumstances. Consequently, seemingly ordinary things that all of us do every day have been, for our family for years, well…impossible. Sitting still, keeping quiet, being unable to stim, pay attention and other things that Korbin needs to do to maintain his mind and his body just aren’t always welcome in a lot of environments. I’ve struggled for years to find the balance of pushing him to the edge of his capabilities without overwhelming him, while trying to prepare him for the natural environment that he will inevitably face more and more as he continues to grow up.
Korbin has never seen a movie in a movie theater due to all of this.
But today, he did.
I prepared to leave at a moment’s notice should he become overwhelmed or anxious to all of the new things he would encounter on our visit to Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee at their IMAX theater. Their sensory friendly showing of the Moana 2 (follow up to his FAVORITE movie, so I knew that at least the content would be somewhat familiar and likable in his eyes) allowed us to bring his lunch (he’s unable to eat out due to diet), and gave him the freedom to be as loud or wiggly as he wanted to. No previews helped with his least favorite thing – waiting; lower volume wasn’t overwhelming to him; and having SOME light in the theater allowed him to see what was going on around him and know I was there in case he needed anything.
Only, he didn’t need anything.
Alan Hanstein – Director – was AMAZING! He brought Korbin a bucket even though he couldn’t get any concessions, and even printed a custom certificate for him to commemorate the day. He checked on us and offered more support than I could have possibly asked for.
When the final credits were playing, and I had watched my boy genuinely enjoy his movie – all the sights and sounds – dealing with so many new things with ease – and sharing this joyful milestone with him….I couldn’t contain it any longer. My mom heart burst with joy and pride.
This was a day and an experience I thought would never come for him. Take that in for a second. NEVER.
It may seem small – it’s just a movie after all – but when you live this life every moment of every day, the smallest things are the BIGGEST victories.
Thank you Alan Hanstein and Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee. I never could have dreamed this day would come and you gave this mama and her boy memories we will never forget.
