I Am Not Alone is the inspiring documentary portrait of Eric Jurado-Diaz, a 56-year old gay man, army veteran and father of three. After a life of challenges, Eric confronts the ultimate struggle head on: how to live fully despite an ALS diagnosis (often known as Lou Gehrig's Disease).
I Am Not Alone is the inspiring documentary portrait of Eric Jurado-Diaz, a 56-year old gay man, army veteran and father of three. After a life of challenges, Eric confronts the ultimate struggle head on: how to live fully despite an ALS diagnosis (often known as Lou Gehrig's Disease).
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Story
Mission Statement
Eric's domestic lifestyle (8 years married, three children) is something his own gay self, growing up in Puerto Rico in the 70's, could never have imagined. Neither was a diagnosis of ALS. We want to show that fully embracing the life we've been given is a source of strength, relationship and joy.About The Project
I Am Not Alone tells the inspiring story of Eric Jurado-Diaz, a 56-year old veteran grappling with how to live following a diagnosis of ALS (often known as Lou Gehrig's Disease). This unique documentary film will poignantly capture Eric's journey toward acceptance, examining his resolve to live joyfully while embracing the new reality of a life with diminishing physical abilities.
Eric is one of approximately 5,000 people diagnosed every year with this cruel and incurable disease. The “ice-bucket challenge” was a cultural phenomenon that drew many people's attention to ALS; Most people have heard of Lou Gehrig and Stephen Hawking - who lived many years and enjoyed a distinguished career, despite his profound disability. What many people don't know is the more common story of an ALS diagnosis, which is moderate to rapid physical deterioration and often death within 2-5 years. Veterans are twice as likely to have ALS than the general population.
Eric in the Army
Rather than tell the story of the exceptional case, the beaten odds, we are trying to tell a more common, yet no less extraordinary story of ALS patients: how and where to find hope amid fear.
As Eric Jurado-Diaz says in the trailer, "It (ALS) will take me down eventually - but not today." Eric's stubborn and entertaining embrace of life has become an inspiration to those facing life-limiting illness and offers important lessons for his young sons along with the rest of us.
Eric is no stranger to difficulty. He has experienced prejudice and discrimination as an openly gay man. He made his status known to his commanding officer while serving in the military during the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era. Eric and his husband Luis, have been foster parents to many children with challenging lives of their own, finally adopting three sons they raise together with support from their friends, family and faith community.
Eric and his family
In 2017 Eric was diagnosed with ALS. Determined not to let the news become his life's defining narrative, Eric set out on a journey to address his personal bucket list - a list in constant flux given his daily battle with pain and decreasing mobility.
Eric during a sleep study
This 10-15 minute biopic, captured in cinema-verite style by accomplished filmmaker David Gaynes, provides an intimate look into one man's journey to experience life to its fullest and to connect with others - undeterred by prejudice, illness, rejection, and hardship. Eric's unique sense of humor brings us along for the ride - whether it's a skydive, walk with angels, or traveling the road of struggle and joy in daily life.
Eric and Tim Elwell, President and CEO of Qualidigm
“I Am Not Alone” explores Eric's journey and speaks to the beauty and fragility of human experience - greeting with reverence both the wonderful and awful things that can befall us in life.
Incentives
$25
Helping Hand
Your name in the film's credits! And an inspiring (and totally amazing) Eric Jurado-Diaz custom GIF! Thanks for lending a Helping Hand!
Includes:
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$50
Parachute
Invitation to the official film premiere and after-party! We'll also put your name in the credits, and you'll get the awesome Eric Jurado-Diaz GIF as well! Thanks for jumping out of a plane with us!
Includes:
- Invitation to film premiere and after-party
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$100
Angel
Online access to watch a rough-cut preview and live discussion of the film with film subject Eric Jurado-Diaz and film director David Gaynes. You will also be invited to the film's premiere, see your name in the film credits, and receive the Eric Jurado-Diaz GIF. Thank you for being a guardian angel for this project!
Includes:
- Invitation to online rough-cut screening and discussion
- Invitation to film premiere and after-party
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$250
Bucket List
Invitation to attend IN-PERSON the special preview rough-cut screening and discussion with Eric Jurado-Diaz and director David Gaynes. Special access to unpublished bonus features and outtakes shared throughout the editing process as well! Includes an invitation to the film's premiere and after party, your name in the credits and the Eric GIF. Travel not included.
Includes:
- Unpublished bonus features and outtakes
- Attend rough cut screening and in-person discussion
- Invitation to film premiere and after-party
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$500
Skydiver
All of the above PLUS the rare opportunity of a lifetime to SKY DIVE (yep, that's right) with Eric on June 24, 2018 or watch this historic event from special VIP seating and VIP access to the post-skydive festivities. ALSO, four (4) tickets to a VIP reception at film's premiere and special recognition in the credits! Thank you for supporting ALS research and Eric's journey! (Travel not included, bidder is responsible for cost of transportation to and from festivals and other events. Bidder is responsible for any costs associated with Sky Dive Danielson; a portion of jump costs for the actual dive will be contributed to the ALS Foundation by SkyDive Danielson).
Includes:
- Opportunity to skydive or VIP seats at event
- Unpublished bonus features and outtakes
- Attend rough cut screening and in-person discussion
- 4 tickets to VIP reception at film premiere
- Invitation to film premiere and after-party
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$1,000
Producer
You are one of the film's producers. In addition to receiving your own producer credit in the film, you will also be granted closer access to the editing process and participate in a private discussion with David Gaynes on the art of making, producing and distributing a documentary. Access to all rewards at previous reward levels as well as six (6) tickets to the VIP reception at the film's premiere and 2 tickets to any film festivals where the film will be shown! (Travel not included, bidder is responsible for cost of transportation to and from festivals and other events).
Includes:
- Producer credit on film
- Access to editing process
- Learn about documentary film-making, editing, distribution
- Project updates and behind the scenes discussions
- Bonus features and film outtakes
- 4 tickets to VIP reception at premiere
- 2 tickets to any festivals where film is shown
- Invitation to film premiere and after party
- Eric GIFClaimed: 0 of 6
$2,500
Executive Producer
As an Executive Producer, you will receive top line credit in the film. You will receive all of the above awards and a private showing of the film for your friends and family, followed by a discussion with Eric and David. You will also receive 10 tickets to the VIP reception at the film's premiere and 4 comp tickets to any festivals where the film will be shown. Thank you for your support of this project - and for helping share the story of what it means to be undeterred when life hands you a series of seemingly insurmountable challenges. (Travel not included, bidder is responsible for cost of transportation to and from festivals and other events).
Includes:
- Executive Producer credit on film
- Private film screening for friends and family
- Access to editing process
- Learn about documentary film-making, editing, distribution
- Project updates and behind the scenes discussions
- Bonus features and film outtakes
- 10 tickets to VIP reception at premiere
- 4 tickets to any festivals where film is shown
- Invitation to film premiere and after party
- Eric GIFClaimed: 1 of 4
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$25
Helping Hand
Your name in the film's credits! And an inspiring (and totally amazing) Eric Jurado-Diaz custom GIF! Thanks for lending a Helping Hand!
Includes:
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$50
Parachute
Invitation to the official film premiere and after-party! We'll also put your name in the credits, and you'll get the awesome Eric Jurado-Diaz GIF as well! Thanks for jumping out of a plane with us!
Includes:
- Invitation to film premiere and after-party
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$100
Angel
Online access to watch a rough-cut preview and live discussion of the film with film subject Eric Jurado-Diaz and film director David Gaynes. You will also be invited to the film's premiere, see your name in the film credits, and receive the Eric Jurado-Diaz GIF. Thank you for being a guardian angel for this project!
Includes:
- Invitation to online rough-cut screening and discussion
- Invitation to film premiere and after-party
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$250
Bucket List
Invitation to attend IN-PERSON the special preview rough-cut screening and discussion with Eric Jurado-Diaz and director David Gaynes. Special access to unpublished bonus features and outtakes shared throughout the editing process as well! Includes an invitation to the film's premiere and after party, your name in the credits and the Eric GIF. Travel not included.
Includes:
- Unpublished bonus features and outtakes
- Attend rough cut screening and in-person discussion
- Invitation to film premiere and after-party
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$500
Skydiver
All of the above PLUS the rare opportunity of a lifetime to SKY DIVE (yep, that's right) with Eric on June 24, 2018 or watch this historic event from special VIP seating and VIP access to the post-skydive festivities. ALSO, four (4) tickets to a VIP reception at film's premiere and special recognition in the credits! Thank you for supporting ALS research and Eric's journey! (Travel not included, bidder is responsible for cost of transportation to and from festivals and other events. Bidder is responsible for any costs associated with Sky Dive Danielson; a portion of jump costs for the actual dive will be contributed to the ALS Foundation by SkyDive Danielson).
Includes:
- Opportunity to skydive or VIP seats at event
- Unpublished bonus features and outtakes
- Attend rough cut screening and in-person discussion
- 4 tickets to VIP reception at film premiere
- Invitation to film premiere and after-party
- Film credit
- Eric GIF$1,000
Producer
You are one of the film's producers. In addition to receiving your own producer credit in the film, you will also be granted closer access to the editing process and participate in a private discussion with David Gaynes on the art of making, producing and distributing a documentary. Access to all rewards at previous reward levels as well as six (6) tickets to the VIP reception at the film's premiere and 2 tickets to any film festivals where the film will be shown! (Travel not included, bidder is responsible for cost of transportation to and from festivals and other events).
Includes:
- Producer credit on film
- Access to editing process
- Learn about documentary film-making, editing, distribution
- Project updates and behind the scenes discussions
- Bonus features and film outtakes
- 4 tickets to VIP reception at premiere
- 2 tickets to any festivals where film is shown
- Invitation to film premiere and after party
- Eric GIFClaimed: 0 of 6
$2,500
Executive Producer
As an Executive Producer, you will receive top line credit in the film. You will receive all of the above awards and a private showing of the film for your friends and family, followed by a discussion with Eric and David. You will also receive 10 tickets to the VIP reception at the film's premiere and 4 comp tickets to any festivals where the film will be shown. Thank you for your support of this project - and for helping share the story of what it means to be undeterred when life hands you a series of seemingly insurmountable challenges. (Travel not included, bidder is responsible for cost of transportation to and from festivals and other events).
Includes:
- Executive Producer credit on film
- Private film screening for friends and family
- Access to editing process
- Learn about documentary film-making, editing, distribution
- Project updates and behind the scenes discussions
- Bonus features and film outtakes
- 10 tickets to VIP reception at premiere
- 4 tickets to any festivals where film is shown
- Invitation to film premiere and after party
- Eric GIFClaimed: 1 of 4
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
David Gaynes is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with three critically-praised features in distribution. His work focuses on ordinary people amid extraordinary circumstance and attempts to do so with earnestness and reverence. NEXT YEAR JERUSALEM (2014, Netflix / First Run Features) follows a group of frail, elderly seniors on the last trip of their lives. SAVING HUBBLE (2012, Hulu / Cinema Purgatorio) is the story of the Hubble Space Telescope’s surprise rebirth. KEEPER OF THE KOHN (2005, Hulu / SnagFilms) examines the relationship between an older, autistic man and his terminally ill friend. David was one of 30 filmmakers from around the world invited to contribute a short documentary segment to the collage film SACRED (2017, WNET/PBS) by Academy Award winning director Thomas Lennon. David is a working cinematographer and editor, having collaborated on dozens of documentary films over the past fifteen years.
Julia Portale has worked with David Gaynes on short film pieces highlighting the beauty and meaning of end-of-life experiences through patient, family and caregiver story-telling. She worked with Eric Jurado-Diaz at Qualidigm until his retirement due to ALS, and has been inspired by his life story and entertaining embrace of life. Her day job is working to improve the quality of - and access to - care for vulnerable populations. She lives with her husband Cam, children Emma, Alex and Lily, and their dog Rory.
Susan Gendreau has worked at Qualidigm for 25 years where she met film subject Eric Jurado-Diaz. Her work on the project as an associate producer is integral to event planning, marketing and fundraising. She lives with her husband Scott and their dog Kobe.
Bruce Pfrommer runs Pfrommer Ondesign, a graphic and marketing design consultancy. He lives with his wife and their children Lauryn and Liam in the Colorado foothills.
Shari Lucas and her husband Paul run Lucas Boy Productions which produced TV pilot “Pain in the Family”, trailer for “Boys in Blood”, and developed a trial run for reality show “Jail Break." Also a close friend of subject Eric Jurado-Diaz, she is dedicating to promoting his story and keeping him laughing (on and off camera).
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