Finding Meaning in Finding Dory: Ridgefield's Prospector Theater Relates to Disney Pixar's Blockbuster

Ridgefield, CT — "Just keep swimming," says Dory in Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory, a heartbreaking and humorous movie that tells the tale of the life of someone living with an invisible disability.

Dory the fish's disability is short-term memory loss, and in the film her parents teach her how to tell others about her disability so they can better understand her.

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"Thank you, Disney Pixar, for breaking from the traditional mold of characters with disabilities being portrayed as the ogre, villain, victim or leader of the pity-party," said Valerie Jensen, founder of The Prospector Theater.

The non-profit movie theater employs adults with disabilities called "prospects" who are trained in order to enable them to attain the transferable job skills needed to seek other opportunities in their careers. Jensen, a Ridgefield resident, works to improve the quality of lives of people with disabilities. Her sister Hope was born with Down Syndrome in 1979.

"Watching Dory’s parents make up games, songs, and role-play scenarios with Dory mirrors the work we do at the Prospector Theater. We make creative adaptations that allow people with disabilities to work, and sparkle," Jensen said on her blog.

Jensen said the relation of what she does and the message of Finding Dory is one in the same. "People need to be taught and educated about how to talk to, work with, and actively engage with people with disabilities," she said. "Everyone in life wants to be included in the community and workforce. People with disabilities are important, talented, valuable members of society. People with and without disabilities need to make room and effort to swim together — not because it’s nice to include people with disabilities, but because we are all richer when we do."

Read the rest of Jensen's powerful essay here.

Click here for showtimes for Finding Dory at The Prospector Theater.

Photo of Valerie Jensen and "EJ" via Prospector Theater Facebook