With creative Laura Alice at the helm, for this project Leilani Blackert, Sage MacDonald, Grace Hamilton and Lucinda Lewis came together, along with assistant Cat Kilner, over several sessions, learning digital drawing, animation and visual storytelling, and unpacking together their unique ADHD and/or Autistic lives. 

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“Over time and through various forms of discussion, written word and creativity, each artist delved into parts of their unique minds that were important for them to express. I took their drawings, animations and important insights and used that as the foundation for our short film.” 

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Proving vulnerability is so often the secret creative ingredient, the project combined their paintings, sketches and musings in the final product of ‘STIM!’, offering a glimpse into their vibrant inner worlds. 

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Celebrating neurodiversity through unique perspectives, the beautiful short animated documentary ‘STIM!’ serves to remind us that diversity is a vital and important part of the human experience. 

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“My main hope is that people will come away and realize that diversity of the human mind is a wonderful asset to society and that making space for difference strengthens and unifies us.” 

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“For so many years, neurodivergent people have faced discrimination, inequity and misunderstanding. The ways they have been taught to ‘fit in’ have, in many cases, actually caused harm. 

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“However, despite challenges and support differences, neurodiverse people have so much to offer. There are strengths, superpowers and great beauty in the unique skills and communication styles of neurodiverse people, and they deserve to be celebrated, understood and appreciated.”