A Life Dedicated to Inclusion: New Documentary Chronicles the Final Year of Camphill Movement Pioneer Patrick Lydon
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A remarkable portrait of a life lived in service to others, the documentary Born That Way, released in irish cinemas this month, offers a poignant glimpse into the final year of Patrick Lydon, a trailblazer in the development of the radically inclusive Camphill movement in Ireland. The film, directed by Éamon Little, explores Lydon’s remarkable journey from a career in rock journalism to a lifelong commitment to building communities where people of all abilities share life together.
The Genesis of a Movement
the Camphill Movement, founded on the principles of social inclusion and holistic living, took root in Ireland thanks to the vision of Patrick Lydon and his wife, Gladys. One individual’s personal connection to the movement began in 1991, when their youngest brother, who had Down syndrome, was struggling to find a supportive environment.Lydon and Gladys established a Camphill community in Dún Laoghaire, providing a home and a purpose for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Lydon’s impact extended beyond the founding of communities. In 2008, a filmmaker was commissioned to create a fundraising film for camphill and was promptly struck by Lydon’s presence. “He instantly bestowed on me, to quote the narrator of The Great Gatsby, ‘one of those rare smiles with a quality of reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life,'” the filmmaker shared. “It faced – or seemed to face – the whole eternal world for an instant, and then concentrated on you with an irresistible prejudice in your favour.”
This encounter marked the beginning of a deep friendship and a series of collaborative projects.The filmmaker went on to document Lydon’s work on the KCAT Studio in 2010, a creative space born from the Camphill impulse, and regularly shared meals with the Lydons. It became clear that Lydon’s commitment wasn’t simply about altruism; it was fueled by a profound creativity, intelligence, and unwavering dedication. He was, in the filmmaker’s view, a “social artist,” skillfully forging connections between people.
Facing Mortality with Grace
Over the next decade, the filmmaker continued to document lydon’s work, including the evolution of Nimble Spaces and the Inclusive Neighbourhoods project in Callan. In March 2021, as they discussed a project to celebrate Camphill’s 50th anniversary in the Republic of Ireland, Lydon received a devastating diagnosis: Motor Neurone Disease.
“Whatever you want to record, you’d better do it soon,” Lydon reportedly saeid, prompting the filmmaker to shift focus to a documentary about Lydon’s life and the story of Camphill in Ireland. This wasn’t intended as a tribute,but rather “a last opportunity to view the world through Patrick’s unique lens.”
With the Lydons’ full consent, the filmmaker embarked on a series of intimate interviews over the following five months. During this time, the friendship deepened, and the filmmaker witnessed Lydon’s remarkable grace in accepting his illness and the outpouring of support from his community.Despite his declining health, Lydon remained actively engaged in planning for the future, demonstrating a “tireless warrior spirit.” Remarkably, the first and last footage captured of Lydon would become the opening and closing scenes of Born That Way.
A Legacy of Inclusion
Born That Way is currently screening at the Irish Film Institute in Dublin and Mayo Movie World in Castlebar,beginning Friday,November 14th. The film stands as a testament to Patrick Lydon’s enduring legacy – a legacy built on the belief that a truly inclusive society is not just possible, but essential. It is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit can flourish, and that connection and community are the cornerstones of a meaningful life.
