Over 130 people recently gathered at The Hub, Bentley Technology Park, where Variety WA hosted a special free screening of the new Disney Original film Out of My Mind.
Adapted from the bestselling novel by Sharon M. Draper, Out of My Mind tells the story of Melody Brooks, a sixth grader with cerebral palsy.
Despite her sharp mind and quick wit, Melody faces limited opportunities compared to her classmates because she is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair.
When a young educator notices her student’s untapped potential, and Melody starts to participate in mainstream education, Melody shows that what she has to say is more important than how she says it.
As Variety WA is a charity dedicated to supporting children living with disability, illness, or disadvantage, offering grants, scholarships, and a range of community-focused programs and events to help improve their quality of life, the film echoes their efforts to promote inclusion and amplify the voices of those often overlooked.
Chief Executive Officer of Variety WA, Chris Chatterton, said the film helps to highlight both the struggles and the resilience of children living with disability or sickness.
“We are really grateful that Disney has told this incredible story of the difference Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) devices can make to a child’s life,” he said.
“Getting a film like this into the mainstream consciousness will really help people to understand the challenges that can face kids with disability and the need for more tailored programs such as the Variety Motor Mouth Camp.”
The Motor Mouth Camp program, created by Variety WA, is a three-day therapy camp designed to assist children with complex communication needs, helping them use AAC devices to express themselves.
The screening of the film is the first in a series of community-focused events on Variety WA’s 2025 calendar.
