Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Coming up Wednesday July 9th at 9:30am - LIFE AFTER - A film by Reid Davenport. Reid Davenport (I DIDN’T SEE YOU THERE) vigorously probes the legacy of Elizabeth Bouvia — a disabled California woman who, at the age of 26, sought “the right to die.”


LIFE AFTER

A film by Reid Davenport








SYNOPSIS:

Disabled filmmaker Reid Davenport (I DIDN’T SEE YOU THERE) trenchantly probes the legacy of Elizabeth Bouvia — a disabled California woman who, at the age of 26, sought “the right to die.” Her 1983 case provoked a national debate about the value of disabled lives, and Davenport sees echoes in chilling contemporary cases of disabled people dying prematurely — at their own hands and from a broken health care system. Through moving interviews and rich archival material, LIFE AFTER looks critically at where progressive values of bodily autonomy collide with the devaluing and fear of disabled lives.



DIRECTED BY:

Reid Davenport


PRODUCED BY:

Colleen Cassingham


RELEASING AT FILM FORUM (NYC) ON JULY 18TH
Sales & Distribution Contact: Colleen Cassingham | colleen@multitudefilms.com
Publicity Contact: Jacki St. Thomas | lifeafter@mprm.com


Logline

In 1983, a disabled Californian woman named Elizabeth Bouvia sought the “right to die,” igniting a national debate about autonomy, dignity, and the value of disabled lives. After years of courtroom trials, Bouvia disappeared from public view. Disabled director Reid Davenport investigates what happened to Bouvia and her story’s disturbing relevance today.


Synopsis

In 1983, a disabled Californian woman named Elizabeth Bouvia sought the “right to die,” igniting a
national debate about autonomy, dignity, and the value of disabled lives. After years of courtroom trials, Bouvia disappeared from public view. Disabled director Reid Davenport narrates this investigation of what happened to Bouvia and her story’s relevance today.

LIFE AFTER coalesces the missing voices of the disability community in the contemporary debate about assisted dying. Davenport looks at the ways that disabled people have and continue to die prematurely—whether murdered by a hospital in the case of Michael Hickson in Texas, or with the support of parents and community in the case of Wisconsin teen Jerika Bolen. Davenport’s exploration
brings him to Canada, where safeguards have been lifted to allow disabled people unprecedented access to Medical Aid in Dying (MAID), even if their deaths are not reasonably foreseeable. In Ontario,Davenport interviews disabled computer programmer Michal Kaliszan, who contemplated MAID when his only alternative was entering an institution.

In a society where ableism and poor healthcare can limit options, the autonomy of a disabled individual is often compromised. LIFE AFTER demonstrates how assisted dying may not represent choice when oftentimes it is seen as the only option.


Director’s Statement

I’m a filmmaker in New York City, living in a progressive milieu where conversations about the "right to die" hinge on treasured values of choice and bodily autonomy. But as a disabled person, I can sense people’s undisguised fear of disability just below the surface. What’s a hot button dinner party topic for some is utterly sinister for me, as I see people in my life exhibit a higher tolerance for the deaths of
disabled people than for non-disabled people. The decision to make LIFE AFTER was a deliberate one, precisely because of the number of issues it raises, which transcend the issue of assisted suicide.

After I discovered the case of Elizabeth Bouvia almost a decade ago, she became one of my reference points for the contemporary debate around assisted dying. I thought about her when I came across stories in the US about disabled people being either allowed to die or murdered without consequence. I thought about her as I watched in horror in 2020, as Canada began to allow disabled people—many
impoverished, out of options—to take their own lives.

 As Elizabeth continued to cross my mind, I wondered if there was more to her story. LIFE AFTER is an attempt to recontextualize a national news story that was forgotten just as quickly as it broke. Bouvia's life, as I suspected, has much more resonance today than her public saga initially revealed. Her life needs to be remembered in its entirety, with the recovered pieces excavated in this
film. 

Her story offers a provocation: why is it acceptable to give disabled people the means to die, before supporting them in the chance to live? As we mobilize for four years of hyper-political vigilance around reproductive rights, state violence,
economic inequalities, human rights and Palestinian displacement, people must also engage with the ableist systems that are isolating, impoverishing, and, yes, killing disabled people. I hope LIFE AFTER reveals the cognitive dissonance in advocating for “death with dignity,” so long as systemic oppression
denies many disabled people life with dignity.


Reid Davenport
Director, LIFE AFTER
Background


Assisted dying is often considered a matter of individual choice, but when examined from a disability standpoint, the issue becomes rightfully more complex. Forty years after Elizabeth Bouvia sought the right to die, inequities that disenfranchise disabled people remain embedded in every aspect of society.

Disabled people by and large remain unemployable in an ableist job market, while government support holds them significantly below the poverty line. The U.S. and Canada have a long history of eugenics that continue to impact legal and medical industries - amplified by the financial incentive to encourage death. And disabled people disproportionately experience clinical depression, which can skew decision-making.

In the U.S., assisted dying is currently legal for people with a terminal diagnosis in 10 states and Washington D.C. In 1997, Oregon became the first state to pass assisted dying legislation. Tellingly, the top five reasons doctors give for their patients’ assisted suicide requests over all reported years are not pain or fear of future pain, but psycho-social issues that are well understood by the disability
community: “losing autonomy” (90%), “less able to engage in activities” (90%), “loss of dignity” (72%), “burden on others” (48%) and “losing control of bodily functions” (44%) (2022 Report, page 14).

Canada has the most liberal assisted dying laws in the world. In 2022, Canada expanded access to its Medical Assistance in Dying regime to include people whose deaths are not immediately foreseeable but who have a "grievous and irremediable medical condition” - namely, disabled people. In 2027, it is
set to expand to people with mental illness and “mature minors” with disabilities. The intensity and breadth of Canada's MAID program has led to condemnation of its program by UN human rights experts and disability rights groups in Canada.
LIFE AFTER is not an argument against assisted suicide, nor does it propose a neat solution to these complex problems. But it does help untangle this contradiction from a disability rights perspective. 

We hope the film raises questions about the meaning of dignity, what constitutes discrimination and equity of rights, and ultimately, what a caring society looks like.

Joining Janeane on 7/9/25 at 9:00am - Filmmaker Jack Teetor, great nephew of the late Ralph Teetor, who is featured in the award-winning documentary “Blind Logic.” Based on the book, “One Man’s Vision – The Life of Automotive Pioneer Ralph R. Teetor,”

Award-Winning Documentary “BLIND LOGIC”
TO LAUNCH ON DIGITAL & CABLE PLATFORMS JULY 8, 2025




F O R   I M M E D I A T E    R E L E A S E

Los Angeles, CA – June 5, 2025 – SDG Releasing and Blind Logic Productions announce the official release of the acclaimed documentary “Blind Logic: The Ralph R. Teetor Story” on July 8, 2025. The film will be available across major digital platforms, including Amazon, iTunes/AppleTV, Google Play, Microsoft, and Hoopla – as well as On-Demand cable providers, such as Charter, Cox, Xfinity, Spectrum, and others.

Emmy award winners Mike Rowe & Jeff Daniels bring this remarkable story to life. “Blind Logic” tells the inspiring, untold story of Ralph Teetor, the blind inventor of Cruise Control and one of America’s great automotive visionaries. The film has received early acclaim for its powerful message of perseverance, innovation, and legacy. As Cary Solomon stated, co-founder of SDG Releasing stated,” This documentary is a remarkable Americana story from the heartland that will resonate with audiences across the country.”

The all-star voice cast also includes Emmy Award nominated Barry Corbin (Killers of the Flower Moon, Yellowstone), Rick Zieff (Mississippi Burning, Terminator 3), Ben Good, Andy Rothstein, John Matthew, and others. As Mike Rowe commented, “I narrated this film because Ralph Teetor epitomizes the work ethic, which we value at our Mikeworks Foundation.” Rick Zieff also stated to filmmaker Jack Teetor, “As I discovered more about Ralph Teetor, I was astounded by his remarkable courage to persevere through his life of blindness with such grace.”

Ralph Teetor’s legacy goes far beyond his automotive inventions. He was a pioneering engineer, balanced turbine rotors in WWI, a champion for workers’ rights, and a philanthropist. Teetor lived his life as a sighted person and has been inducted into both the Automotive Hall of Fame and the National Inventors Hall of Fame.

This documentary features appearances by prominent industry figures such as Lyn St. James, legendary race car driver, Franz von Holzhausen, the visionary Chief Designer at Tesla, Inc., Sarah Cook, President of the Automotive Hall of Fame, and the distinguished Leslie Mark Kendall, Chief Historian at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Family insight comes from Ralph Teetor’s nephew Tom Teetor and four grandchildren, Ralph Meyer, Lucy Meyer Kropp, Jennifer Bloniarz and Ruthie Jones.

Jack Teetor, Ralph’s great nephew, wrote, directed, and produced “Blind Logic.” Based on the book, “One Man’s Vision – The Life of Automotive Pioneer Ralph R. Teetor,” the film boasts an award-winning production team of Editor Derek Tow, Composer Jim Andron, Photo Editor Daniel Teetor, and Sound Editing & Design by Darren King, Nikola Simikic, and Amanda Roy.

Look for Mike Rowe’s “The Way I Heard It” podcast with guest Jack Teetor later in July on YouTube or AppleTV.

See the award-winning trailer at: https://www.blindlogicproductions.com/video/


https://www.blindlogicproductions.com/watch-now/


MEDIA CONTACT: Deborah Gilels

LA Media Consultants

Email: gilelsdeborah@gmail.com

Cell: 818-648-9513



BLIND LOGIC PRODUCTIONS, LLC Los Angeles, CA www.blindlogicproductions.com

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Tune in to my show July 2nd at 9:00am as we pay tribute to Jacqueline Andrea Krisher, and listen to her granddaughter Lauren, and Vicki, her dear friend and triathlon/training partner, share special memories.

 


Tune in to my show on KUCI-FM July 2nd as we share some memories of Jacqueline Andrea Krisher, who passed away June 19th. I will be joined by her granddaughter, Lauren, and close friend Vicki (also her workout/triathlete) buddy!), who will share stories and memories of how Jackie made an impact on their lives.

In the meantime, please consider making a donation below to the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.If you would like to honor the Life and Legacy of Jacqueline Krisher, consider making a donation to:

Here is the link to make your donation.

Sending love to everyone who was blessed to know Jackie.

Below is my conversation with filmmaker Claire Imler and Jackie Krisher, who starred in Claire's award-winning film - Jackie Krisher: No Limits, back in 2016.



Filmmaker Claire Imler and Jackie Krisher, starring in Claire's film, Jackie Krisher: No Limits joined me Monday
9am pst on KUCI 88.9fm.
If you missed today's show,
 listen here!



CLAIRE TELLS US ABOUT THE FILM & HOW SHE BECAME A FILMMAKER
This film was made throughout the course of one year, my mom introduced us and then I found her story so inspiring so I decided to make a film about it. I followed Jackie’s story through all these different steps she had to take in order to be able to complete her first triathlon. I was there at her very first swim lesson, then a couple months later I was there to film her swimming in the bay during the triathlon. Jackie does all of this to raise money for the Leukemia society. She is one of the most dedicated, passionate, and hardworking person I know! She inspires many with her incredible story and I am lucky to have been able to share this experience with her! This short documentary has been nominated at several festivals, and the next upcoming screenings will be at the Newport Beach Film Festival on April 23rd, and SoCal Student Film Festival on April 30th.

A short synopsis of the film: Jackie’s inspiring story shows that there really are no limits, and that anything is possible with work, dedication, and love. She is an inspiration to many and will leave you inspired to do many great things!

ABOUT JACKIE
Jackie is filled with incredible stories, she could go on talking for hours! Currently she is 82 years old, working full time at a new job, and she trains a lot to continue running to raise awareness for the Leukemia society. Her goal is to be able to go to Africa to hike Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money. 

ABOUT CLAIRE
I am a junior in high school, and I am part of the film program at school. I fell in love with film when I joined the class, and now it’s really what I want to do in my future. I’m lucky to have such supportive friends and family who help me create projects and films! I am super excited that I was nominated in several film festivals this year and I hope to be able to continue doing this in my future! 

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Filmmaker Claire Imler and Jackie Krisher, star of Claire's documentary Jackie Krisher: No Limits featured on KUCI 88.9fm. Listen to the show from 2016 as we pay tribute to Jackie.



Filmmaker Claire Imler and Jackie Krisher, starring in Claire's film, Jackie Krisher: No Limits joined me Monday
9am pst on KUCI 88.9fm.
If you missed today's show,
listen here!



CLAIRE TELLS US ABOUT THE FILM & HOW SHE BECAME A FILMMAKER
This film was made throughout the course of one year, my mom introduced us and then I found her story so inspiring so I decided to make a film about it. I followed Jackie’s story through all these different steps she had to take in order to be able to complete her first triathlon. I was there at her very first swim lesson, then a couple months later I was there to film her swimming in the bay during the triathlon. Jackie does all of this to raise money for the Leukemia society. She is one of the most dedicated, passionate, and hardworking person I know! She inspires many with her incredible story and I am lucky to have been able to share this experience with her! This short documentary has been nominated at several festivals, and the next upcoming screenings will be at the Newport Beach Film Festival on April 23rd, and SoCal Student Film Festival on April 30th.

A short synopsis of the film: Jackie’s inspiring story shows that there really are no limits, and that anything is possible with work, dedication, and love. She is an inspiration to many and will leave you inspired to do many great things!

ABOUT JACKIE
Jackie is filled with incredible stories, she could go on talking for hours! Currently she is 82 years old, working full time at a new job, and she trains a lot to continue running to raise awareness for the Leukemia society. Her goal is to be able to go to Africa to hike Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money. 

ABOUT CLAIRE
I am a junior in high school, and I am part of the film program at school. I fell in love with film when I joined the class, and now it’s really what I want to do in my future. I’m lucky to have such supportive friends and family who help me create projects and films! I am super excited that I was nominated in several film festivals this year and I hope to be able to continue doing this in my future! 


The incredibly atheletic and driven Jackie Krisher joined Janeane to talk about what she has been up to since being featured in Clare Imler's film, "No Limits." She plans to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in 2020 when she is...87!

MEET JACKIE KRISHER


LISTEN to today's featured guest Jackie Krisher!

Jackie is filled with stories of resilience, drive and determination! Currently she is 85 years old, working, and training whenever possible. She juggles her passion for CrossFit, hiking and other athletic pursuits while raising funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Her goal is to be able to go to Africa to hike Mount Kilimanjaro in 2020, when she will be 87. She will be the oldest woman to hike Mount Kilimanjaro.

Since we spoke, Jackie shared that in 2016 she completed a 50 mile bicycle race, as part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In 2017, she hiked Yosemite. In 2018, Jackie completed a 1/2 marathon in Central Oregon at 4200ft altitude. She plans to hike MT Kilimanjaro when she is 87; this is over 19000 ft altitude.

In our conversation, Jackie mentioned she participates in:
Sunrise to Sunset Hikers Meetup