Nikki: A Girl who has Rett Syndrome

Michael Knowles : 2008

Nikki is a twelve-year-old girl who suffers with the neurological developmental disorder Rett Syndrome. Now known to be caused by sporadic mutations in the MeCP2 gene, it is the most physically disabling of the autism spectrum disorders, striking at random in early childhood and diagnosed almost exclusively in females. Affecting about 1 in 10,000 girls, the symptoms include loss of speech and motor control, severe digestive problems, orthopaedic abnormalities including scoliosis, as well as seizures, extreme anxiety and impaired cardiac and circulatory function. Rett Syndrome isn't well understood, and this lack of understanding can cause people to shy away from girls who have it. Nikki is unable to communicate conventionally, yet her courage, strength, presence and smile captured filmmaker Michael Knowles's heart. His film brings awareness to this disorder, but also, by allowing the audience to get to know Nikki, it helps them realise that knowing a Rett girl can brighten their lives. Nikki is a journey about both inward and outward reflection, about understanding what is going on inside her and in other girls like her. Michael Knowles's documentary is available on Vimeo video-on-demand.

Nikki: A Girl who has Rett Syndrome (vimeo)