AVAILABLE NOW FOR STREAMING
The story of a Veteran who walked 750 miles to look for other survivors of PTSD and wound up finding himself.
364 PBS stations across all 50 states have been airing the film, but if you missed it, you can now watch on demand.
For only a $5.00 tax deductible donation to Walk WIth Frank, Inc, a 501c3 organization helping Veterans’ mental health through education, you will receive a code to view the film for 48 hours.
If you are a company, veteran group, mental health provider, or educational institution, for a $300 donation you will get full access to the film and bonus educational material for a full year for all members of your organization.
The film has been a great learning tool for so many, and has not only helped provide insight into the struggle of a Veteran, but has the potential to create a bridge between civilians and those who serve.
"This documentary should be considered an essential briefing for any human being who has suffered the costs of war, and any who love them, as a roadmap to recovery." - New York State Senator John Brooks
Join us in our mission to break the stigma of mental health, helping veterans and other survivors of PTSD. Walk With Frank, Inc is a 501(c)(3) organization and your donation is tax deductible.
“Incredibly powerful.” - Rachel Estroff, Chief of Staff to New York State Senator Shelley Mayer and Chair of the NYS Senate Committee on Education
FILM SYNOPSIS
Walk With Frank is a film about self discovery, mental health, and one man’s journey towards understanding and embracing PTSD.
Ambushed and critically wounded in the jungles of Vietnam, Frank’s life went down a dark spiral of drug and alcohol abuse, prison, and family discord. As a cathartic release of his mental anguish he discovered art as a means to heal himself and help others find their own path forward.
For his 70th birthday Frank decided to walk across New York State as a way to gain attention to his cause, his education curriculum, and to give a voice to so many suffering from PTSD. By walking, Frank hopes to shed light on the true experience of the American soldier, the ongoing struggles facing the mental health and homeless communities, and hopefully inspire others to open up about their own mental illness.
“The universal message of overcoming adversity is ever present. It’s a message for everyone of all ages, races and religions.” - Kathleen Maskell, College Prep Coordinator, Archbishop Curley High School, Baltimore MD
IN THE NEWS
“An insightful detailed retrospection of traumatic experiences while clearly illustrating the societal need to begin looking at mental health openly without stigma.” - Brett Smith, History Teacher, Toms River High School North, New Jersey
“If you put one foot in front of the other, pretty soon you’re out the door.” - Frank Romeo
THE FILMMAKERS
RYAN and MATT MAYERS
Film Directors
Since they were boys, Ryan and Matt Mayers have been making movies together, and bring that same passion to their films today. Ryan is an Emmy award-winning filmmaker known for various film and television projects, including shows for Oprah Winfrey, MTV, BET and A&E Biography. Matt is a freelance producer based in New York whose work has helped promote national brands and Grammy winning musicians. Their goal is to make films that find an emotional truth, while telling an entertaining story.
RICHARD CHISOLM
Director of Photography
Richard Chisolm is an Emmy award winning documentary filmmaker and freelance cinematographer based in Baltimore with over thirty years of international production experience. His award winning documentaries include “Gun Show” (2020) and “Cafeteria Man” (2011). Deeply committed to the stories and adventures of real people, Chisolm has worked for PBS, National Geographic, BBC, Discovery Channel, HBO and many other broadcast entities. Chisolm is a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Maryland where he received a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies and Film.
AUSTIN CAUGHLIN
Composer
Austin Caughlin is an Emmy nominated composer and songwriter from Baltimore, Md. He scores music for multimedia at Noise Distillery and writes his own original songs under the name @codysummit. The newest Cody Summit album "Welcome to Greener Then" was released in early 2021, and is available for listening on all streaming services. As the son of a Vietnam Veteran who served in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, it was an honor for Austin to contribute music to Frank's story.
FRANK’S STORY
Critically wounded during the Vietnam War, Frank’s real pain began upon returning home and realizing that society had turned its back on those that served. It would take decades for him to understand his trauma and how to move forward with PTSD by peeling back the layers of his own dark past.
For over 30 years he has devoted his life to understanding his mental illness, changing the stigma surrounding mental health and helping others take that first step.
