My guest, Annmarie, is a 22-year-old woman
that graduated from the University of Central Missouri
studying journalism and she also happens to have
down syndrome.
Her journey of self discovery was the subject
of a powerful documentary titled Normie.
Take a look.
Seeing who I am and that I have Down sydrome
and I hate every time I say it.
How do you spell composition?
I don't understand.
(growling)
I would love nothing more than you to have
what you want.
Ya know, you're an adult now.
That's my greatest fear with Palmer
that she will desire to be a mom.
That might not be what's best for her.
Do you know that I'm fighting aloneness?
Yes.
I hate being alone!
Why is that?
Give Palmer time to process things.
You can hold Palmer whenever you want.
It doesn't matter what people say about you.
You are amazing.
(soft music)
(clapping)
Please welcome Annmarie Carrigan,
as well as the filmmaker and the creator of Normie,
Curt Neill.
Thank you guys for being here.
(clapping)
Thank you.
Well, Annmarie, let me start with you.
What made you wanna participate in the movie?
A family friend of mine, Curt here,
he actually taught me to speak up
in doing this film, getting able for me to speak up.
Right and Curt, what inspired you to make Normie?
I mean, this is a really great project.
As Annmarie said, we've been friends for a long time.
And this idea of Annmarie being honest
about how she's lonely and that she fiercely wants to be
loved and accepted for who she is.
And that kinda birthed this idea of let's explore
what it means to be normal and this illusion
that we're all dinged with of trying to be something
to give us value and I think Annmarie demonstrates
that she is of value well beyond,
she's very capable, but she is a value way beyond that.
What do you hope viewers will take away from
watching Normie, from watching you and your journey
in this film?
I hope people have the courage to speak up
because we have the courage to speak up.
We can able to make a difference.
That's what I really, really want the viewers
to come across, that I am just me, who I am,
but able to speak up.
(clapping)
So, what's the response been to the film?
We've been really kinda shocked by it
that people talk about the authenticity of the film,
of course, Annmarie, and her candor
about opening up, being vulnerable
when it relates to things of the heart, soul, and mind
in a way that's, I think it draws people to look
at their own life, which is what we're really after.
How has your life changed since the film has come out?
So, I get to experience everything
in exposing every aspect of my life.
It's just very comforting knowing that the truth
is all out there and it's one of the greatest journeys
of my entire life.
Right.
Well, you're kind of a movie star now.
So, I mean, people are (laughing)
recognizing you.
Is that fun for you?
It is definitely fun.
And you handling it okay?
Definitely.
Don't be a diva on us now.
(laughing)
You gotta keep your feet on the ground.
Yeah.
But I'm really proud of both of ya for this
and I hope that it continues to have more and more success.
People know the truth when they hear it
and when you speak with the candor and heart that you do,
that resonates with people and it challenges them
and inspires them to do the same thing
in their own lives.
So you're changing lives.