SDPB is privileged to be entrusted to tell stories about the people, places and events that make South Dakota unique. Sometimes those stories are joyful and uplifting, and other times they tell a difficult truth. This month we share the story of a man who faced an awful prognosis, and about how he managed to make it a story of joy and resilience.
Producers, videographers, journalists, and other SDPB staff are often taken on a journey that they hadn't expected when working on a documentary. Among producer Cara Hetland, host Lon Stroschein, and others, Jordyn Henderson worked as the videographer and editor for SDPB's newest documentary, Speechless. Jordyn offers his perspective of making this film.
"The documentary is about Tim Schut who lives with his family in Chester, South Dakota," says Jordyn. "While living in Sioux Falls at the peak of his career, Tim noticed difficulty in finding his words. He thought it was stress and changed jobs. The difficulty remained. After several months of doctoring and tests, he was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Apraxia of Speech (PPAOS), which is a degenerative brain disease causing you to lose the ability to speak. Known for his ability to talk and connect with the people around him, Tim finds this diagnosis extremely tough. This documentary is his story of facing the disease and continuing to connect with others without his 'superpower' of speaking."
Tim wanted to be able to share his story while he was still able. Thus, Jordyn explains, this story came to our attention.
"We started this project shortly after Tim's diagnosis. He wanted to share his story while he still could. Tim reached out to his friends around the state, including friend from college, Lon Stroschein, and Friends of SDPB CEO Ryan Howlett, presented the idea to SDPB production staff. From there, I was selected as a videographer to shoot and edit the footage together."
"Inspiring," "eye-opening," and "personal" are the words Jordyn used to describe this documentary and the process of making it.
"Making the documentary was very taxing from an emotional standpoint," said Jordyn. The crew recorded in Aberdeen for two days, then went to Chester for more interviews. "That's when the band aid was ripped off quickly." Jordyn explains. "In those two days, we learned everything about Tim's personal life and how he and his family handled his diagnosis. Hearing him talk about his daughters pulled at my heartstrings, as I was a new father then. Putting myself in Tim's shoes with his diagnosis shook me to my core, thinking about my son. Every day I have worked on this documentary, I have needed time to rest mentally. I applaud Tim and his family as I cannot even imagine the emotions they go through every day."
Jordyn hopes viewers will walk away with a new sense of never taking anything for granted after viewing this documentary.
"The Tim you see on the screen is only ten percent of the Tim you would see face to face. Although his disease has taken a lot from him, he still connects with people around him. What Tim is doing and has done since his diagnosis is nothing short of heroic. He hasn't let it stop him from being who he is and showing up for people. Tim took this disadvantage and ran with it. He started support groups; he gave lectures; he's done all these things despite losing his speech. Neurologist Dr. Botha mentions that every disease needs a champion to bring awareness and people together. Tim is that champion."
Speechless airs on SDPB1 on Thursday, January 18 at 8pm (7 MT) and is available online at watch.sdpb.org.
"The most interesting part for me was learning that although he was a great speaker, that was just the outer layer of his superpower. His true superpower was how he connected to people, and that became evident with every interview and day of filming."
- Jordyn Henderson, SDPB Videographer and Producer