It's not a surprise to my frequent readers that I help produce (and even made an appearance in) a web show called
"Ghost Sniffers." This hilarious, touching, often dramatic, silly and unbelievably imaginative series unfolds under the premise "What if our kids with disabilities had super powers as a trade-off?" The cast is made up of spunky, brilliant, heartwarming kiddos, all with different disabilities or a passion to help kids with disabilities. The main character, Faith Forge, has Type 1 Diabetes. She also has the ability to smell ghosts, which she calls "sniffs." Faith's adventures unfold, twisting seemingly simple storylines into complex, poignant adventures to defeat the Monster Bunny, a creature from another dimension bent on taking over our world.
From day 1 "Ghost Sniffers" has meant the world to me. The idea of presenting these kids, who are often overlooked, under-represented and made by society and even other people to feel less than, and turning them into a new brand of super heroes is awe-inspiring at least. I've watched the cast and crew of "Ghost Sniffers" transform, becoming a little more outspoken, a little stronger, with every episode. But that's not all.
"Ghost Sniffers" inspired me to take my production company public and really buckle down about creating my own films. It also gave me my purpose to become a film maker: to help give voices to people often silenced or misrepresented in society. To help tell more of our stories so the world can become a better place, just like "Ghost Sniffers" made my world a better place.
"Ghost Sniffers" cured my little niece of her fear of ghosts. She went from crying in her room to sniffing around her house. She wants "to be brave like Faith Forge!" She's three-years-old. She has budding plans to start her own business.
"Ghost Sniffers" broke more than a handful of my friends out of their shells. Through acting or helping promote the series, I've seen many of my friends find their voices and start projects of their own, all aimed at making a positive change in the world.
"Ghost Sniffers" is spreading the word about Type 1 Diabetes, Autism, Osteogenesis Imperfecta and more. I've never seen a show that felt more inclusive and so *sincere* in its attempt to give our kids with disabilities people like them to look up to. To give kids who may not know what these diseases look like background information that doesn't inspire pity or caution but might even make them envious! At its heart, whether it's about kiddos with disabilities, egotistical brothers who blog, secret agents, sea captains who sail ship play structures, single moms who homeschool and protest or sea goddesses who can crow like roosters, "Ghost Sniffers" delivers the message that different is beautiful, fun and necessary. It's not a PSA or preachy. It presents a complex, thoroughly enjoyable tale that will catch kids with its stories and silently teach them how to love people that may be different. It's the best anti-bullying campaign I've ever seen.
"Ghost Sniffers" is necessary. "Ghost Sniffers" is changing the world.
And "Ghost Sniffers" needs your help.
If you want to help support this show, if you want to help send the message that everyone should be included and these kids deserve to be visible in society, please consider donating to
our Kickstarter campaign to release the last five episodes of Season 1. We only need $2,000 and we have 23 days to make it. Skip a latte, save a sniff. Even $1 helps.
From the bottom of my heart, and I'm sure from the hearts of everyone who has fought to make "Ghost Sniffers" what it is today, thank you. You're helping to make the world a better place for everyone.
Launa
If you'd like to read more blogs from people involved with "Ghost Sniffers," check these out:
Kristie Gronberg's (Sirius Spark on "Ghost Sniffers") Blog
From Jennifer DiMarco, the writer and director for "Ghost Sniffers"
