"My Flesh and Blood is an engrossing documentary about a truly nurturing adoptive mother of eleven special-needs children." Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH "Full of life, the characters openly share moments of startling intimacy, hardship, and triumph." Peter Debruge PREMIERE MAGAZINE "You'd have to be a stone not to be affected by My Flesh and Blood, but the director, Jonathan Karsh, merges compassion with voyeurism until you can't tell the difference." Owen Gleiberman ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY "An unforgettable experience." Stephen Holden NEW YORK TIMES "One of the most profoundly moving and inspiring documentaries in recent memory." Timothy Knight REEL.COM

"A movie that quickly shows us what giving thanks, and being brave, is really all about." Stephen Whitty NEWARK STAR-LEDGER "Whatever you make of this family, one thing is certain after watching My Flesh and Blood -- you won't forget them." Glenn Whipp LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS "Full of life, the characters openly share moments of startling intimacy, hardship, and triumph." Peter Debruge PREMIERE MAGAZINE "Poignant, heartbreaking proof that, sometimes, love is just not enough." Michael O'Sullivan, WASHINGTON POST "This movie, tough to watch, is invaluable to absorb." David Elliott SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

At A Glance

"Think raising your kids is tough? Try this moving documentary on for size." E! ONLINE

There's no doubting the story of Susan Tom, 53 year old single mum from Fairfield, California is one many people would like to dodge. After all, who really wants to see a story about a single mum's incredible struggle to raise 11 kids who have special needs. One thing I know all too well, from when it came to having children, is the wish that they would be born healthy and 'normal'. And, I don't think for one minute that there wouldn't be one person, parent or otherwise who wouldn't hope and pray that when it comes to having children they'd hope their children are born safe, sound and healthy. For some people, that wish is never realized. As human beings we are all able to cope, in some degree with problems. In our society children are given every opportunity to live, to grow and develope into healthy adults. And because some children are not 'normal', there are many wonderful organizations and facilities, staffed by dedicated people who can nuture, assist, help them achieve a level of life they wouldn't have prehaps attained in the past. These children are just as 'normal' as those who don't have needs. They are the product of loving parents. They breath the same air that other children do. At birth many appear to have no problems health wise. The only difference between kids without physical or mental problems and those with is the demands placed on their parents. Some just can't cope at all. Some don't want them at all. Some even wish they'd never been borne. That is where incredible individuals such as Susan Tom step in. I don't know how people like Susan do it. It is in many ways incomprehensible that a person can have the love, compassion, patience to act as a carer. I know from seeing the wonderful job the staff at Colton Court are doing with my mother who is a Dementia sufferer. I just couldn't cope with it all the time. I don't honestly think I could cope with it part time, yet these people do.But they can go home at the end of the day to their own families. I can return to my 'normal' life. It's not there 24/7 as they say, as is the case for Susan Tom. So how does Susan Tom cope with 11 children in a family which includes Xenia, 13, and Hannah, 11, who were both born with no legs; eight-year-old Faith, whose face was badly burned in an accident when she was two; Anthony, 19, who suffers from a rare disease which prevents the skin from properly adhering to the body and 15 year old Joe (the product of a drug addict mother) who suffers from cystic fibrosis, A.D.D and anger management problems that are getting homicidal? You'll discover this in the remarkable journey through one year in her life, "My Flesh and Blood", which marks Jonathan Karsh’s debut as a feature documentary director. Forget "Super Size Me", "Bowling For Columbine" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" and take a trip into reality with Susan Tom. "My Flesh and Blood" will probably never rival the afore mentioned films because handicapped, disabled, retarded, mentally challenged, horribly disfigured children are generally not a priority for most people, unless of course, you happen to be the parent of one such child or a person who works in one of the many the industries, learning facilities and hospices supporting them along the way through their challenging lives. Just like Susan Tom's kids, their lives too, would make for a highly inspirational story. Take the challenge. Go see "My Flesh and Blood". It's a most defining documentary. A film worthy of your support. Crew Bytes "My Flesh and Blood" was .......
directed by Jonathan Karsh ["My Flesh and Blood"]; edited by Eli Olson ["My Flesh and Blood"]; director of photograhpy Amanda Micheli ["Just for the Ride" and "Double Dare"]; original music by B Quincy Griffin ["Daughter From Danang" and "Wilderness Survival for Girls"] and Hector H Perez ["Wilderness Survival for Girls"]; produced by Jennifer Chaiken ["I Love You, Don't Touch Me!", "Family Name", "Big Eden", "Restaurant" and "Naked States"]. The Story

"An unforgetable film about a single mum with 11 special needs kid, (My Flesh and Blood) is actually about the meaning of life." Jennie Punter TORONTO GLOBE & MAIL

Meet the Tom family. Not your everyday, ordinary family. But a family made up of 53 year old single mum Susan and her 11 special needs kids. No, not kids who just need a little attention, a hug now and then or a kind word. These are special needs children all with disabilities that would be hard enough if any parent had just one to cope with. Director Jonathan Karsh, takes us on an incredible journey over one year in the life of this remarkable woman from Fairfield, California, Susan Tom. Susan loving shares her daily routine, emotion and affection with her kids all of whom suffer a condition of some kind. From cystic Fibrosis, skin disease, missing limbs, mental retardation it's a chaotic labour of love for Susan who is always their for the children she sees as "My Flesh and Blood." Her routine and the safety of the family is challenged when 15 year old Joe starts to have anger management issues. Unable to cope he lashes out, threatening to kill one of the family. Susan must now decide what is best for her, the family and Joe. This a remarkable year. 365 days of laughter, pain, hospital trips, a wedding and even death. The Verdict "The most challenging film this year. A remarkable story. A remarkable woman. There are times when your heart will break and there are times it will be filled with admiration for both Susan, her daughter and these beautiful children. Parents who complain about how hard it is to raise so called 'normal children' should take in "My Flesh and Blood". I'd dare you to ever complain again after witnessing the Susan Tom story. One woman, 11 special needs kids. A remarkably, exceptional documentary. Highly Recommended for the message of hope and joy it will bring to all compassionate human beings." The Cast

Susan Tom Joe Tom Chloe Tom Anthony Tom Xenia Tom Libby Tom Faith Tom Hannah Tom Margaret Tom Jeremy Tom Ben Tom Emily Tom Susie Tom Jeff Forsman Dorothy Loomer Randy Hudson Tammy Hudson Elliot Vichinsky Bob Wagner

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herself himself herself himself herself herself herself herself herself himself himself herself herself himself herself himself herself himself himself

The Crew Directed by Jonathan Karsh Produced by Jennifer Chaiken Original Music by B Quincy Griffin & Hector H Perez Cinematography by Amanda Micheli Film Editing by Eli Olson Supervising Sound Editor Andrea S Gard Post-Production Executive Marc Sadeghi Production Assistant Lauryn Siegel Run Time 83 minutes Rated M15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2004 - Accent/HBO - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2004 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved