My Own Normal

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My Own Normal

2024

57m

Romance

Documentary

Drama

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6 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Filmmaker Alexander Freeman who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of two, was raised by his loving and supportive parents but the one thing he has always wanted was to be in a loving relationship with a woman and to have a family of his own. When Alexander meets his life partner Orina by chance at a film screening his life changes forever for the better, especially when his daughter Maya is born. As Alexander and Orina raise Maya, have a commitment ceremony, start their lives together, and struggle with life's challenges, Alexander's parents learn to accept that Alexander can live a normal life independently and can be a great father despite their original views on the pregnancy.

Pam Grady

San Francisco Chronicle

06/03/2024

Filmmaker Alexander Freeman turns his camera on himself and his family in this film that challenges ableist assumptions about people with disabilities.

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

06/14/2024

3/5

This is really pretty familiar stuff, but it’s told well enough, and the leads are all likeable people.

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Tina Kakadelis

Beyond the Cinerama Dome

05/31/2024

In My Own Normal, Alexander has opened the door to his home, his love life, and his family dynamic in a beautiful attempt to encourage more people to understand a life that doesn’t necessarily look like their own.

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Bill Arceneaux

Moviegoing with Bill

05/31/2024

4/5

Alexander Freeman is a real reel filmmaker, that’s for sure. And his movie is as tangible as a touch and a grasp. That’s indeed something that only a few artists can convey.

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Bobby LePire

Film Threat

05/06/2024

8.5/10

My Own Normal is a gripping exploration of the challenges of new parenthood, heightened by the complexities of Freeman’s diagnosis.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

04/27/2024

3.5/4.0

My Own Normal is, most appropriately, a documentary that reinforces the normalcy of the disabled life along with those with disabilities living, loving, working, playing, parenting, chasing dreams, and creating families.

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L H

@LHill Apr 28

"My Own Normal" is a brilliant film! To see how a severely disabled person lives a full life – married, with a child – and how they confront (and overcome!) the challenges that the disability creates, is enlightening, insightful, and very, very moving. And this film dives into the emotions, hardships and struggles that they face, and how they surmount them is amazing. And it is TRUE – not a drama, but a documentary! I couldn’t recommend more highly.

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Paula B

@RT23136661 Apr 28

Alexander Freeman opens his heart and his world to show what it means to him to be disabled. The viewer is immediately drawn into this world to share his experiences. This film is eye-opening and heart-warming, and a must-see. It makes you want to cheer him on in all that he does!

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Alexander Freeman

Director

Alexander Freeman

Self

Orina Umansky Freeman

Self

Maya Freeman

Self

Linda Freeman

Self

John Freeman

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Alexander Freeman who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of two, was raised by his loving and supportive parents but the one thing he has always wanted was to be in a loving relationship with a woman and to have a family of his own. When Alexander meets his life partner Orina by chance at a film screening his life changes forever for the better, especially when his daughter Maya is born. As Alexander and Orina raise Maya, have a commitment ceremony, start their lives together, and struggle with life's challenges, Alexander's parents learn to accept that Alexander can live a normal life independently and can be a great father despite their original views on the pregnancy.

Director: Alexander Freeman
Producer: Brandon Golden, Alexander Freeman
Screenwriter: Alexander Freeman, Michaelle McGaraghan
Distributor: Freestyle Digital Media
Production Co: Outcast Productions, Project 10K Films
Genre: Romance, Documentary, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 24, 2026
Runtime: 57m