An intimate portrait of two women with disabilities who are determined to live independent, non-institutionalized lives.
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy
Diana Braun and Kathleen Conour approached Alice Elliott at the 2001 National Arc Convention, and asked her to make a documentary about them. At first Alice was reluctant to take on another project, since she had just finished The Collector of Bedford Street. Kathy, however, was persistent in her emails, so when Alice was in Chicago in the Spring of 2002, she decided to take her camera and travel to Springfield. Diana and Kathy welcomed her and were willing participants. The result is Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy.
Diana and Kathy are friends and advocates, who continue to explore innovative solutions for people with disabilities. From their experience living outside of institutions for 35 years, they became advocates for choices in housing for people with disabilities.
Kathy is concerned and interested in how people with disabilities can plan for and receive end of life hospice care. If you would like to contact Diana or Kathy about any of their activities please email them at: D&K@welcomechange.org.
If you would like to know more about the film, please email Alice Elliott, the director, at director@welcomechange.org.
News & Updates
Speaking for Ourselves Annual Conference
Posted 4 days ago
Diana and Kathy presented at the Speaking For Ourselves Annual Statewide Conference on Friday, June 19, in Pennsylvania, where the topic was “Power Through Unity”.
For more information on the grassroots advocacy organization, Speaking For Ourselves, visit their official website at: http://www.speaking.org.
Talking Pictures Film Festival
Posted 58 days ago
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy received recognition at this year’s Talking Pictures Film Festival in Evanston, Illinois. The film received the Best Documentary Award.
Awards Update
Posted 248 days ago
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy has recently been awarded the Council on Foundation’s Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film & Digital Media.
To find out more about the documentary filmmaker Henry Hampton and his achievements, click here.
For a full list of awards the film has received, check out our Awards Page
The Official DVDs Arrive!
Posted 290 days ago
We are very happy to announce that the official Body & Soul DVDs have finally arrived! The official DVDs are professionally authored and printed and include a number of accessibility and special features, including:
English Captioning
English Audio Description
Spanish, French, German, and Arabic Subtitles
Interview with the Director
Extra Scenes
Archival Footage
This means that from this point on, these official DVDs will be available for both Home Video and Institutional purchases. Home Video orders will continue to be accepted through this website while institutional copies are now available for purchase through New Day Films.
We will soon be sending out our fall newsletter to everyone currently signed up to our email list with more information on these new DVDs for individuals and organizations who have already purchased Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy on DVD.
Donate Now!
Posted 321 days ago
We are now accepting online tax-deductible donations via Paypal. Help support Kathy and Diana’s outreach and advocacy as they travel the country with the film, continuing to advocate for the right for people with disabilities to live independently. Donations are accepted in any amount.
Click on the “Donate!” button in the menu above or click here for more information on how to donate.