And…Seen is a feature length documentary which chronicles actress, singer and wheelchair dancer Jamie Petrone and her journey of pursuing her dreams of performing and being part of the New York professional theatre community.  Jamie is a lifelong, seasoned performer whose passions are acting, musical theater and dance. At age 19, a heinous misdiagnosis and near lethal dosage of doctor-prescribed medication resulted in progressive semi-paralysis originating from Steven’s Johnson Syndrome. This condition, known to cause a systemic, often fatal allergic reaction, forced Jamie into  becoming a wheelchair user for the last 15 years. Being in a chair, however, couldn’t keep Jamie down. Despite the naysayers, regardless of countless challenges, she continues to be put up with being "seen" and on display, challenging the ignorance of the able bodied

 

Moved by her experiences and wanting to give back, she's the founding Executive Director of ThisAbility, a non-profit inclusive arts program designed to encourage and support other performers, of all abilities. In addition to her career Jamie is also exploring medical technology as a means of improving mobility and gaining more independence.

In February, 2013, after a series of grueling trials, Jamie was accepted as a candidate in a pilot study for a robotic exoskeleton.

 

Within the arc of Jamie’s story, this film seeks to reveal the amazing truth of a person with mixed abilities (our preferred term for someone who is typically regarded by mainstream culture as disabled).