Michael Schmid Documentary
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Join me on this unforgettable journey
December 28th, 2018, my close friend, Michael Schmid, left this world to be with God.
Two years ago, I met Michael after my Stand Up Comedy show. He was humorous, charismatic, and a big fan of comedy. I couldn't help noticing he was in a wheelchair which he joked about and had a great attitude about his circumstance. Even back then, he expressed that he wanted to try Stand Up Comedy. I encouraged him to start and we kept in touch through social media.
Michael called me a couple months ago and told me he was dying. His neurological condition, PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis, similar to ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease), has deteriorated to the point that he was becoming a quadriplegic. This disease has already taken away the use of his lower body, most of his upper body, and is now affecting his speech and tongue. Instead of being kept alive through feeding tubes at the end of his life and prolonging the devastation to his family, Michael made the enormously difficult decision to end his life through euthanasia.
His dying wish was to perform stand-up comedy and together, we made that happen. Michael wanted to leave people with hope and laughter. Finding the humor in tragedy is what comedians do best.
As an eighteen-year veteran comedian, I wrote and assembled a team of gifted national headlining comics to write for Michael's performance. We sat for hours pitching jokes, writing, and laughing with moments of deep sadness.
We decided to film the whole process, even though Michael would not live long enough to see the finished documentary. As I was filming, this became so much more than a film about comedy and a dream. It evolved into a moving documentary about life, death, compassion, sacrifice, lessons, and most importantly faith and loving one another through adversity... no matter our differences.
Getting to know and serve this brave, beautiful man and his family is one of the most incredible blessings of my life. I love Michael Schmid, completely, and I will carry all that we shared and what I learned with me forever.
Please join me and Sarah LaSpisa in completing this film. This heartfelt documentary is far from over, I have more filming to do, interviews, not to mention the huge undertaking in post-production to put the final product together. We would greatly appreciate your prayer, encouragement, and financial support. God Bless you!
Join us in completing this film of hope and love. Here's how your donation will be used:
35% - Film crew, equipment, sound, lighting, production
15% - Location expenses, travel, lodging, food for crew
50% - Post-production: editing, color correction, sound mixing, music
Individuals who donate $100 or more will receive a "Special Thanks Credit" by name in the documentary, and those who donate $250 or more will receive a personal invitation to the screening of "Don't Wait: The Michael Schmid Story" documentary.
I'm trusting in God to provide and I will keep my promise to Michael to complete this story celebrating his life.
December 28th, 2018, my close friend, Michael Schmid, left this world to be with God.
Two years ago, I met Michael after my Stand Up Comedy show. He was humorous, charismatic, and a big fan of comedy. I couldn't help noticing he was in a wheelchair which he joked about and had a great attitude about his circumstance. Even back then, he expressed that he wanted to try Stand Up Comedy. I encouraged him to start and we kept in touch through social media.
Michael called me a couple months ago and told me he was dying. His neurological condition, PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis, similar to ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease), has deteriorated to the point that he was becoming a quadriplegic. This disease has already taken away the use of his lower body, most of his upper body, and is now affecting his speech and tongue. Instead of being kept alive through feeding tubes at the end of his life and prolonging the devastation to his family, Michael made the enormously difficult decision to end his life through euthanasia.
His dying wish was to perform stand-up comedy and together, we made that happen. Michael wanted to leave people with hope and laughter. Finding the humor in tragedy is what comedians do best.
As an eighteen-year veteran comedian, I wrote and assembled a team of gifted national headlining comics to write for Michael's performance. We sat for hours pitching jokes, writing, and laughing with moments of deep sadness.
We decided to film the whole process, even though Michael would not live long enough to see the finished documentary. As I was filming, this became so much more than a film about comedy and a dream. It evolved into a moving documentary about life, death, compassion, sacrifice, lessons, and most importantly faith and loving one another through adversity... no matter our differences.
Getting to know and serve this brave, beautiful man and his family is one of the most incredible blessings of my life. I love Michael Schmid, completely, and I will carry all that we shared and what I learned with me forever.
Please join me and Sarah LaSpisa in completing this film. This heartfelt documentary is far from over, I have more filming to do, interviews, not to mention the huge undertaking in post-production to put the final product together. We would greatly appreciate your prayer, encouragement, and financial support. God Bless you!
Join us in completing this film of hope and love. Here's how your donation will be used:
35% - Film crew, equipment, sound, lighting, production
15% - Location expenses, travel, lodging, food for crew
50% - Post-production: editing, color correction, sound mixing, music
Individuals who donate $100 or more will receive a "Special Thanks Credit" by name in the documentary, and those who donate $250 or more will receive a personal invitation to the screening of "Don't Wait: The Michael Schmid Story" documentary.
I'm trusting in God to provide and I will keep my promise to Michael to complete this story celebrating his life.
Organizer
Lisa Alvarado
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA