In Search of a Sponsor:
A Leslie Lemke Documentary
While there have been numerous clips of Leslie Lemke on national and international television, his story is so special and inspirational to so many persons that Dr. Treffert continues to get requests for a full-length documentary on him. There is an earlier 28 minute made for television film titled "An Island of Genius" which was underwritten by the Weyehaeuser Foundation in 1987, but it was never broadcast, and given Leslie's remarkable continued progress, is dated. The film "The Woman Who Willed a Miracle" starring Cloris Leachman as May Lemke was a screen adaptation of Leslie's early life but the story ended in his adolescence. Leslie is now in his 50's and so much has happened in those intervening years.
Lane Wyrick has produced a marvelous full length film --"A Friend Indeed"--about the life of Bill Sackter, who came to public attention when Mickey Rooney portrayed "Bill" in two award winning television programs. You can learn more about "A Friend Indeed" at http://www.billsackter.com. It will soon be available on DVD. After viewing that film, and being so moved by it, Dr. Treffert asked Mr. Wyrick if he might consider a film on Leslie Lemke. He is interested in doing that, and the search is now on for a sponsor for that film. If you have suggestions as to who, or which organization, might be interested in sponsoring such a worthwhile project, please contact Dr. Treffert.
Once a century or so, comes along a person as remarkable as Leslie Lemke, and his story, propelled along by the love and faith of his foster mother, May Lemke, deserves to be seriously documented so it can continue to serve as an inspiration for so many persons just like those it has already touched in such a profound and meaningful way to date. Even after May's death, "the band plays on" as a tribute to her and her loving success with Leslie. That story deserves to be preserved in its entirety.
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