#6 - Hello World!
We have been eagerly awaiting this for some time. The feature length
documentary introducing the trait of high sensitivity and the research, has just had its premiere in San Francisco on the 10th September :) It has been an incredibly uplifting experience to be involved in the Kickstarter project that funded the making of this film. HSPs from many countries around the world have donated money for this with a palpable sense of excitement.
This was probably one of the first times the wonder of belonging to the HSP "tribe" dawned on me. I was suddenly feeling deeply connected to highly sensitive people from all around the world! The premiere of this documentary also reflected this growing international family, with people buying tickets from over 50 countries to be the first to see this film about us, HSPs, online.
I think I will never forget the wonderfully beaming smile of Dr. Ted Zeff, who is one of the experts interviewed in the documentary, when he was talking at the premiere about his hopes for what this film will mean for highly sensitive people all over the world. I think I resonated so strongly with his elation, because I share his high hopes about what this film can do for us. This film explains the main aspects of sensory processing sensitivity and demonstrates the wide-ranging research that supports the discovery of this natural and innate difference amongst people and animals. They talk about the empowerment it creates when we simply accept this difference and learn to support our sensitivity instead of fighting it and feeling shame and embarrassement about who we are.
One of the strengths of this documentary is that it aims to talk to non-HSPs, as well. The film really brings it home how understanding about us can improve their relationships with their HSP children, partners, friends and colleagues. I think this film will be something that HSPs will share widely with people who are important for them in the hope of deepening understanding and acceptance about us. It is a lot easier to get someone to watch a documentary than read a book about us...
The new documentary about sensitivity is now available for rental or purchase on-line ($4.99 for rental and $9.99 for download purchase). You can get your copy
here :) The producers have also confirmed that DVDs will be available soon and they are also working on translating the film into many languages. We will keep you posted about any news regarding public viewings that will happen in the UK that we hear about. Sharing this film, with as many people as possible, will be something that all of you can help with. And the good news is that the film will not just raise awareness about highly sensitive people, but also support further research about HSPs, as profits generated from the film will support the
Foundation for the Study of Highly Sensitive Persons. I hope the news about this film will mean as much to you, as it did for me, bringing some spring into your steps and new hopes into your life!
And now here is some good news for you related to the National Centre for Sensitivity, as well. Barbara Allen-Williams has recently organised a
training for future HSP Meetup facilitators, who are interested organising Meetups for HSPs in their local area. This training is suitable for people, who have some experience of supporting a small group of people and have a reasonable knowledge about Sensory Processing Sensitivity (the clinical term for high sensitivity). Hopefully this will mean that it will be possible to meet with fellow HSPs in more counties in the UK and talk about how to make the most of being highly sensitive :) Please consider whether you would like to be involved in facilitating HSP Meetups in your area, and let Barbara know about your interest. This could help to organise similar trainings in other areas in the UK, as well.
We are also running currently a
crowdfunding campaign on Justgiving.com to support the work of the NCHS, so it can expand its' services to HSPs in new areas in the UK and continue raising awareness. Dr. Elain Aron wrote an e-mail supporting our fundraising efforts, which you can read at the crowdfunding page. Please share the link around with anyone, who may be interested in supporting our work.
I hope you'll enjoy what else we have in this newsletter for you and please share this with anyone else, who may find information about HSPs useful.