#58 Joybubbles: The Sundance Film That Touched My Heart

About this episode

Sheridan Ripley discusses the documentary 'Joybubbles' and its themes of communication and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

This week I share about a documentary I saw at Sundance called Joybubbles, The film follows Joybubbles, a man born blind who learned to whistle into the telephone to make free calls in the 1950s and 60s as a “phone freak,” later working for the phone company and living independently, including in a high-rise apartment he’d long dreamed about. He describes a childhood near-death experience involving “bubbles of love,” and how nonspeakers have described similar “love bubbles.” Later, he watched Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood archives to heal. Near the end of his life he created a phone-based “podcast” of joyful recordings people could call, then reach him personally for support. The screening’s audio description also taught me new ways to make movies more accessible for blind loved ones and reinforced how essential communication and being heard are, especially for nonspeakers. Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers Sign up for my Very Awesome Friends Newsletter - by clicking here. If you are curious about working with me, visit here . Follow me on Instagram @awesomenonspeakers

People in this episode

Host: Sheridan Ripley

Topics covered

• documentary
• accessibility
• communication
• independence
• autism
• support

Keywords

• Joybubbles
• Sundance
• documentary
• accessibility
• communication
• autism
• support

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Joybubbles

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