My Flesh & Blood
(Docurama)

Many of us grapple with the trials and tribulations of raising a “normal” family, but consider the story of Susan Tom – a single mother living in Fairfield, California, who adopted 11 children with special needs. Director (and former host of Evening Magazine) Jonathan Karsh, documents a year in the life of this unique family, most of whom seem incredibly well adjusted, or in the case of one, severely troubled.

In less than 90 minutes, Karsh paints a moving portrait of a family who celebrate their differences while dealing with their disabilities. Faith, horribly disfigured in a fire as an infant, longs for the day when she can look like a normal woman. Xenia has no legs, yet she tries out for the cheerleading squad, ice skates and flirts with boys. Anthony has Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa – a genetic disorder that affects the collagen levels in the skin and to what degree it binds itself to the rest of the body. He also has cancer and spends his days swathed in bandages and bathing in warm water and bleach several times a week to hold back infection. Much of the film however, is dedicated to Joe – a troubled teen with Cystic Fibrosis who is extremely angry and abusive both towards the other children and his mom, and whose story plays out like a scripted drama. Above all, we are privileged to meet Susan, this unselfish woman with virtually no income, who has brought joy into (and sometimes saved) the lives of these needy kids and whose only escape at the end of the day is to browse online dating services and dream about one day having a relationship. -- David Bassin