The Horse Boy Movie - Benefit for Rose of Sharon Equestrian School

The Baltimore debut of The Horse Boy, which Entertainment Weekly describes as "a lyrical, heartbreaking and deeply stirring meditation on the mystery of autism," will be a benefit for the Rose of Sharon Equestrian School, Inc. (ROSES), a local non-profit organization that improves the quality of life for people with autism and many other disabilities by providing opportunities to interact with horses in a therapeutic environment. A film festival favorite, The Horse Boy is based on the New York Times bestseller by Rupert Isaacson, a writer and former horse trainer. When their two-year-old son, Rowan, was diagnosed with autism, Isaacson and his wife found that traditional therapies had little effect. After discovering Rowan's profound affinity for animals-particularly horses-the family set off on a quest that would change their lives. The story follows the family's trek on horseback through Outer Mongolia in an attempt to find healing for Rowan. According to Zeitgeist Films, "The Horse Boy is part travel adventure, part insight into shamanic healing and part intimate look at the autistic mind. In telling one family's extraordinary story, the film gives voice to the thousands who display amazing courage and creativity everyday in the battle against this mysterious and heartbreaking epidemic." "We are delighted that The Horse Boy will bring greater awareness of the positive effects of horses on people with autism," said Joan Marie Twining, founder and executive director of ROSES, noting that half of the ROSES student population is on the autism spectrum. "Those attending the movie debut will enjoy a powerful and moving story," Twining added. "They also can learn that ROSES is a local resource that can help their friends or loved ones with disabilities such as autism, and they can take pride in knowing that their ticket purchase will help support our programs and services." Tickets to the benefit screening are $15 each, partly tax-deductible, and payable by check or cash by contacting ROSES. Founded in 1998, the Glen Arm, Md.- based ROSES offers therapeutic horsemanship programs for people with disabilities, volunteer opportunities for retirees, service learning projects for middle and high schoolers, remediation classes for students at risk of academic failure, and merit badge workshops for scouts.