INDIANAPOLIS — What started as a way for an Indianapolis boy to raise awareness for his brother has grown into a film.
Tyrell Smith's twin brother, Tyrese, was diagnosed with autism a few years ago. Tyrell had questions but also wanted to show support for his brother.
"He walked around with a notebook for a couple of months, and he would write and he would stop ... eventually he just came and said 'I'm done,'" mom Latasha Walker said.
Tyrell, at age 7, became the author of "Yes We are Twins, but We are Different."
"I reached out to someone that's really big in the literacy world in Indianapolis ... and she looked at it and she said he had something," Walker said.
Delores Thornton, or "Grandma's Cookie" as the boys lovingly call her, took on the project and turned Tyrell's big idea into a reality.
"I just knew that it would be a welcome thing for the community, especially the African American community, because a lot of times our symptoms and our diagnosis aren't, as you know, aren't readily explained like other populations," Thornton said. "So to bring this to the public to aid parents and others that deal with autism, it blew me away. It blew me away."
Now, the book is being turned into a movie that Tyrell and Tyrese star in as themselves.
The movie will be shown at the Three Fountains Clubhouse, located at 4620 Genoa Ct.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. For more information or to buy tickets, email tyrellntyrese317@gmail.com or call 317-652-3685.
-
Family identifies woman killed on Indy's west side
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 3000 block of Lupine Drive on reports of a person shot just after 7 p.m.Anderson substitute teacher using music to inspire the next generation
On Fridays, substitute teacher Austin Morgan puts on a pair of roller skates and has a dance party during lunch time for the students. He says it’s his way of giving back.Indianapolis city employee fired in harassment investigation
A manager working for the City of Indianapolis was let go Wednesday after an investigation found "overwhelming evidence" of sexual misconduct.Indy Autonomous Challenge aims to help improve self-driving cars
PHD students from all over the country programmed AI drivers to cars as part of the Indy Autonomous Challenge, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.