Uploaded August 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Dan Redfield and his wife Kristen Frederic were excited, first-time parents when they had their daughter, Ava. As a young couple with a love for the outdoors, they started taking their daughter on adventures. When Ava was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, a rare, genetic, fatal disease, taking Ava outside became more challenging. As a professional filmmaker, Dan recognized the importance of his home videos and photos with his family. This inspired him to start a nonprofit called Adventure for Ava, where he takes Alaska families with disabled children on adventures and captures the photographs and videos of the day. #taysachs #adventureforava #disabilityawareness
To learn more about Adventure for Ava, visit the website here: avasstory.org
Editor's note: Ava passed away shortly after this video was released.
Video and story by Valerie Kern
Additional photos and videos provided by Dan Redfield and Soren Sieberts
Music by Universal Production Music and Starship Amazing
INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios. The videos capture the diverse and colorful lifestyles of everyday Alaskans at work and at play. Together, these stories present a fresh and authentic look at living in Alaska.
Click on the Subscribe button above to get notified when new episodes are available.
Consider supporting Alaska Public Media and ensure storytelling like INDIE ALASKA continues into the future. Make a donation today at: alaskapublic.org/donate
Dan Redfield and his wife Kristen Frederic were excited, first-time parents when they had their daughter, Ava. As a young couple with a love for the outdoors, they started taking their daughter on adventures. When Ava was diagnosed with Tay-Sachs, a rare, genetic, fatal disease, taking Ava outside became more challenging. As a professional filmmaker, Dan recognized the importance of his home videos and photos with his family. This inspired him to start a nonprofit called Adventure for Ava, where he takes Alaska families with disabled children on adventures and captures the photographs and videos of the day. #taysachs #adventureforava #disabilityawareness
To learn more about Adventure for Ava, visit the website here: avasstory.org
Editor's note: Ava passed away shortly after this video was released.
Video and story by Valerie Kern
Additional photos and videos provided by Dan Redfield and Soren Sieberts
Music by Universal Production Music and Starship Amazing
INDIE ALASKA is an original video series produced by Alaska Public Media in partnership with PBS Digital Studios. The videos capture the diverse and colorful lifestyles of everyday Alaskans at work and at play. Together, these stories present a fresh and authentic look at living in Alaska.
Click on the Subscribe button above to get notified when new episodes are available.
Consider supporting Alaska Public Media and ensure storytelling like INDIE ALASKA continues into the future. Make a donation today at: alaskapublic.org/donate
