“Patrice: The Movie,” which tells the story of Patrice Jetter, a disabled woman who wants to marry her partner, will premiere on Hulu later this month. (TIFF)
For people with disabilities, choosing to get married can mean losing access to important government benefits. A documentary set to air on Hulu highlights one woman’s experience.
The film “Patrice: The Movie” follows Patrice Jetter, a school crossing guard in New Jersey who wants to marry the love of her life, Garry Wickham. The problem is that since they both have disabilities, even moving in together could jeopardize the Social Security and Medicaid benefits they rely on. Nonetheless, Jetter and Wickham decide to plan a commitment ceremony.
The film, which is described as a “documentary romantic comedy about the next frontier of marriage equality,” weaves together scenes recreated with child actors to show how Jetter fought to get the house, job and life she has, all of which were threatened by her desire to get married.
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“If you are lucky enough to find the person you want to be with, but you are disabled and on Social Security or Medicaid, you have to choose between being with your partner and your own survival. Not only can you not get married, you can’t even live with your partner. So the fight for true marriage equality in this country is not over,” said Ted Passon, the filmmaker behind the 102-minute film. “As a disabled person navigating this system, Patrice’s story is, unfortunately, all too common. We’re telling a very common story, but through the lens of a person who is, herself, completely extraordinary.”
Jetter co-wrote the scripts and designed the sets for the reenactments. Passon, who has known Jetter for 20 years, assembled a behind-the-scenes team that included several crew members with disabilities.
“Patrice: The Movie” will have its world premiere this weekend at the Toronto International Film Festival before debuting on Hulu on September 30.
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