The Abandoned Migrant Farmworker Boy Who Became a Doctor
Ramon’s mother gave him away to a couple in Central Valley, California who raised him as one of 15 children in their household. He lived in severe poverty, neglect and abuse and was forced to do full time back-breaking farm labor his entire childhood.
4K Film PREVIEW | Projected Release: 2019 | Includes interviews with: Dan Lowenstein, MD – Executive Vice Chancellor & Provost at UCSF, Professor and Vice Chairman in the UCSF Department of Neurology, Executive Producer, Diane Wagner.
One of the Most Timely & Inspiring Stories of Human Potential Audiences Will See
One of Ramon’s grade school teachers told him that he didn’t have to be a farmworker for the rest of his life. She encouraged him to get a college education explaining that with a degree Ramon could choose any career he wanted. Upon hearing her words, hope for a better future was birthed in Ramon’s heart and he set his sights on making it to college. His pilgrimage out of the hot, dusty fields to pediatrician was filled with extreme adversity. He faced racial discrimination by school officials and students as well as fierce opposition from his guardians who forbade him to go to college, insisting he get a job after high school to earn an income and help support them.
The Indomitable Human Spirit
Despite his Dickensian childhood, Ramon made it through college and medical school. When he received a license to practice medicine, Dr. Resa went straight back to the Central Valley and went to work providing medical care for kids like he once was. For over 30 years Dr. Resa has served as living proof to his young patients that they too can make a better future for themselves. Audiences of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds will come away from watching RAMON RISING reminded of the indomitable human spirit’s power to overcome all obstacles in the way of finding a better life. They’ll likely join many who hear Dr. Resa’s story in believing, “If he can overcome all the issues and problems in his life to become a doctor, I can overcome mine too!”
Debunking Negative Myths & Stereotypes
Dr. Resa’s story is an antidote to today’s xenophobia. Dr. Resa’s life convincingly debunks negative myths and stereotypes concerning the intelligence, aptitude, and motivation of migrant workers and their children who come to America in search of a better life. His story testifies to the universal truth that every child (including an abandoned Mexican American boy with a speech impediment, no family, and zero resources) has the potential to become a valuable, contributing member of our society.
Ramon’s story is the story of human potential, the unique personal potential that exists within us independently from any external source. It is also a story of hope and how we can keep it alive inside, even when there is no visible evidence that our dreams can come true … you are not limited by your age, your health, your relationships, or your finances nearly as much as your unwillingness to dream and persist … Ramon is a unique and gifted individual with an important place in history. His legacy will be felt for many generations, maybe even forever. | Jim Cathcart – Author of The Acorn Principle
FILM CREDITS (partial)
Diane Wagner – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Diane Wagner is the president of Epic Indy. Diane grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Diane graduated from Claremont McKenna College, where she received her BA in economics. After college, she did graduate work at the University of California at Irvine, earning her M.B.A. in marketing and finance. Diane is an entrepreneur who leverages extensive sales, marketing, finance and project management experience in her work as Executive Producer.
Ken Boyd – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
Ken Boyd has served as one of the 17 Directors of Rotary International worldwide. Ken believes that one individual, such as Dr. Ramon Resa, can have a meaningful impact on the lives of many. Ken takes pride in knowing that the Rotarians he has recruited and mentored have gone on to provide millions of hours of humanitarian service during their years in the organization.
Jesse Gift – EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | WRITER, DIRECTOR, EDITOR
Jesse Gift is Primetime Emmy® Award recipient and Multiple Emmy® Award nominee. Jesse began his journalism and filmmaking career in the 1980s producing, directing, shooting, and editing independent documentaries in Europe, the Caribbean and Central America. Jesse moved into national network news in the 1990s (and into this decade) where he edited and produced national morning and evening news segments, primetime news magazine segments, bio documentaries, and television specials watched by tens of millions of viewers on high profile shows broadcast on ABC, NBC, CBS, A&E and more.