About this Short Film
Astrid Eldflug’s Learning to Walk with Theodor (Austria, 2020) is a thoughtful short in the Focus on Ability International Short Film Festival programme. Rather than a plot summary, the film sits with themes of teaching, persistence and group support as people navigate congenital and physical disability linked to Chromosome 5. It considers how children and teenagers learn, practise and celebrate small achievements, and how dedication and inclusion shape those moments. Shot with quiet attention, the film adds a respectful, human note to our line-up, inviting audiences to reflect on ability, care and community without reducing anyone to a single label.
Film Details
Film Transcript
No transcript is available for this film.
Filmmaker
Astrid Eldflug is the filmmaker behind this entry. See every Focus on Ability entry from Astrid Eldflug.
Wow amazing We were just told that our newborn baby has a piece of her Chromosome five missing this gives us hope
Vielen lieben Dank an alle die sich meinen Film angeschaut haben Ich freue mich sehr ber eure herzlichen Kommentare Eure netten Worte bedeuten mir sehr viel Danke
I am so happy to read all of your comments It is heartwarming to see how many of you have watched my film and to read your kind words. Thanks to all of you
What inspiration and wonder So proud and I dont even know yourselves. Congratulations you give hope and light to many others
This mother's love for her child is beautiful and she is so creative. I too had a disabled child. We mothers never give up hope.
WOW Unglaublich rhrend du glaubst an deinen Sohn gibst nicht auf diese unendliche Kraft lsst ihn unglaubliches erreichen. Weiter so glaubt an euch dann ist alles mglich
This is what LOVE looks like She never gave up on her boy and believed in him. Makes me cry.
Ihr seid einfach absolut beeindruckend Weiterhin alles Gute fr euch
Bewunderswert ich danke fr das Teilen Eurer Geschichte Lieben Gru aus Wels
Sehr berhrt von eurer Geschichte von eurer Ausdauer. Es lehrt mir dass man nie aufgeben soll. Jeder kleine Fortschritt zhlt.
Hope
Wow..einfach nur Wow
I like this video because its really nice. I Support the family with my vote and hope that they are getting a lot of money for new tools.
Wow
Both of you are the real spirit of handing up and never give up. Thanks so much for your inspiration and brightness.Keep going on it.
Diese Film berhrt mich sehr. Diese Liebe und Ausdauer Mge es weiterhin gut gehen Alles Liebe und die besten Wnsche Veronika
Super
Es war einmal ein kleiner Wurm der im Bauch einer Mutter heranwuchs die sich hundertprozentig auf ihr Baby freute und all ihre Liebe diesem kleinen Wurm entgegen bringen wrde. Dann kam der kleine Wurm auf die Welt und die Mutter erfuhr dass er etwas ganz Besonderes war. Sie wusste dass sie es gemeinsam schaffen wrden die schwierigen Hrden zu berwinden. Sie wussten dass sie gemeinsam stark genug waren um alle Hhen und Tiefen zu berwinden. Die unglaubliche Kraft und Frsorge der Mutter ermglichte es dem kleinen Wurm dass er immer grer und krftiger wurde.Er lernte rckwrts robben er lernte dass sein Kopf stabiler wurde er lernte und lernte jeden Tag mehr Dank seiner groartigen Mutter die immer an ihn glaubte und die Hoffnung nie aufgab. Dann eines Tages wurde aus dem kleinen Wurm ein kleiner krftiger Mann weil seine Mutter immer an ihn glaubte und das Unmgliche geschah es war ein Wunder. Der kleine Mann begann Schritte zu machen.Das Wunder von einer groartigen Mutter und einem groartigen besonderen Kind kann man in diesem Film sehen. Einfach nur bewundernswert was beide geschafft haben
It's so moving to watch the progress of your child Astrid and totally impressive to witness the dedication that you have to encourage your son to develop in such a way.I wish you all the goodness in the universe he's a very lucky boy to have such a mother.Huge admiration to you from someone who works with Babies and children with Special Needs through JKA and Feldenkrais Method. It takes hours of work and love.xxx
100 Mnner haben nicht die KRAFT die ihr beiden habt Alles erdenklich gute lieber THEO...
Thank you for doing this film. It shows how much work and love is needed to support your child. But also very inspiring to never give up
Astrid from meeting Theodore when he was a baby and seeing how endless care love and persistence from both of you can show how ability can be possible. You are both so lucky to have each other and it is beautiful to see your achievements. Much love sent to you both xoxo
This is great Astrid I have great respect for youThe love of a mother is infinite
Bravo Congratulations to these two heroes So powerful to see how Theodor challenges himself more and more
Because of your big will patience and love Theodor has got a better chance in his life.I've 3 healthy grandchildren and after watching your film I appreciate that much more. Thank you I 've learnt a lot from you The best for you both. Carry on I am sure you will manage it.....
Dear AstridYour Film is very touching and I had tears in my eyes. You are so strong. It's amazing and admireable what Theodor has learnt within a few years. With your strength
So inspiring I have a child with special neeeds and from the very beggining of our journey I've gotten inspiration from moms like you you all have been a support and a role model for me and thanks to that I wouldn't listen anymore to the convencional system but I kept and keep looking many ways thank you for being a great example of perseveration and resilience let me tell you that your making a huge impact not only in you kid but in many kids around the world
This film is so inspiring just to watch how much effort patience time and love from the mother Astrid and her son Theodor have motivated one another along with lots of support for both of them especially for Theodor. It truly makes one appreciate life no matter what reasons are in their way. You are both amazing together which touches my heart. I wish you all the best as you both deserve it more than anything. Good luck with hugs and kisses xxx
This is what unconditional love and dedication looks like. In a world you can be anything be like this mum. Never give up on the ones you love.
My son Theodor is missing a part of Chromosome 5 a rare genetic disorder which is called 5q14.3 deletion syndrome. I received the diagnosis soon after birth. The doctors gave me a piece of paper said my perfect son would never be able to walk or talk and sent me home. It was devastating.But then I changed my own thinking. Instead of focusing on his obvious limitations I began rather to look for his possibilities. When your child has special challenges he needs you to be a very special parent. So I became this special parent for Theodor. I became an inventor a genius in observing his abilities and focusing on what he can do. I began to recognise that there were a lot of things he can actually do I only needed to find them and help him find a way to improve them.We spent countless hours exploring the possibilities together. The changes might have seemed tiny at first glance but when the small changes build upon each other they can become very large ones. This film is my evidence. It reminds me how far Theodor has come. He has learnt things nobody had ever thought were possible.Keep your hopes and dreams alive
This is such a powerful film. My daughter has the same genetic condition. She is 14 years old and sadly has never got the ability to walk. This film is a credit to this amazing mother and son. Well done.