A documentary about resilience, recovery, and the people who carry us through.
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Trailer
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Synopsis
Better Than Yesterday is a personal portrait of a teenage boy whose life is upended by a traumatic brain injury leaving him unable to walk, talk, read, write or remember the world he once knew. Looking back on his 3-year journey, he retraces the long and often grueling path of learning to walk again and reclaim his life. Along the way, we encounter the people and places that shaped his recovery — his family, caregivers, physical therapists, teachers, and the unexpected influence of the Navy SEALs. More than a story of recovery, Better Than Yesterday is an exploration of resilience, determination, and the relationships that carry us through our hardest times.
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Director’s Statement
Better Than Yesterday began with a simple question: What happens when everything a teenager loves is taken away in an instant?
After a concussion during wrestling practice, Finn’s life changed dramatically. What initially seemed like a routine sports injury evolved into a long and unpredictable medical journey marked by debilitating headaches, speech difficulties, tremors, and uncertainty. But while this film documents the physical and emotional toll of his recovery, it is ultimately not a film about injury. It is a film about resilience and perseverance.
As a director, I wanted to tell this story from the inside out. Rather than focusing solely on the medical aspects of a traumatic brain injury, I wanted the audience to experience the day-to-day reality of living with an invisible injury. That included all the frustration, fear, setbacks, small victories, and unwavering hope that define recovery. Through intimate family footage, interviews, and observational moments, my goal was to create an honest portrait of a family learning to navigate a future they never expected.
What moved me most throughout this journey was the extraordinary community that formed around Finn. Friends, teachers, coaches, therapists, physicians, and complete strangers became part of #TeamFinn. It demonstrated that healing is rarely an individual experience. Recovery is built on compassion, persistence, and the people who refuse to let you face hardship alone.
The title Better Than Yesterday speaks to the mindset that carried Finn and Linda through the darkest moments of recovery. Progress wasn’t measured in giant leaps, but in the smallest victories—one more step, one less symptom, one good day after a difficult one. It became a reminder that healing is rarely linear, but that every day offers the possibility of moving forward, no matter how small the gain. Finn’s story reminds us that courage isn’t always found in dramatic triumphs. Sometimes it’s found in getting out of bed, showing up to therapy, celebrating the smallest improvement, and believing that tomorrow can be better than today.
My hope is that audiences leave with a greater understanding of the lasting impact of brain injuries, but even more importantly, with a renewed appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit. If this film encourages even one family to feel less alone, or inspires someone facing their own impossible challenge to keep going, then it has accomplished exactly what I hoped it would.
The People Behind the Recovery
At every stage, family, caregivers, physical therapists, at-home teachers, and the Navy SEALs formed the foundation of support. Their dedication, knowledge, and encouragement made the impossible possible.
With compassion and strength, their presence shaped the journey as much as any personal struggle — making recovery not just solitary, but communal and deeply human.
Crew
Directed by
Kristin Windell
Produced by
Meighan Offield
Executive Producer
Kristin Windell
Director of Photography
Chris Reynolds
Edited by
Kristin Windell
Music by
Corey Martin