21 Down: The Caden Cox Story an Interview with Writer and Producer, Jay Paul Deratany

A few weeks ago, we were fortunate to connect with the Writer and Producer of 21 Down, Jay Paul Deratany. Inspired by Caden Cox, 21 Down is a story that explores determination, family, and the courage to challenge assumptions of what people with Down Syndrome can accomplish. 

Atlanta Film and TV: What was it about Caden Cox’s story that felt distinct and compelling enough to bring to the screen with 21 Down?

Jay Paul Deratany : We need stories that bring us together, and Caden’s story is something everyone can relate to. At its core, it’s about a mother’s love. It’s also about how we tend to place people in boxes and define them by assumptions.

When it comes to perceived disabilities like Down syndrome, many people assume individuals can’t function independently or can’t read, and I learned that isn’t true. If we’re honest, many of us have held those stereotypes at some point.

Caden is a remarkable young man who has accomplished a lot. He was a diver, a swimmer, did taekwondo, and eventually wanted to play football for a college team. I’ll admit, I once wondered: 'Can someone with Down syndrome go to college?' The answer is yes!  With the right support and access to specialized programs, they absolutely can!

When a fellow producer first told me about Caden’s story, I immediately said I wanted to write it. They informed me they had already secured the life rights. Later, I met with Caden and his family, his brother Zane, and his parents, Mari and Kevin and together we began shaping the story.

It’s a beautiful and deeply inspirational story about what’s possible when someone is believed in and supported. Caden’s journey transcends race, disability, and sexuality. It challenges the images and assumptions we often hold about people and shows that those assumptions are frequently wrong.

There are so many individuals with Down syndrome  and people of all abilities have to offer to society. Caden’s story reminds us just how powerful that truth really is.

Atlanta Film and TV: Caden’s journey balances athletic competition with a powerful message of inclusion. How did you approach maintaining authentic sports intensity while honoring the emotional and social significance of his story?

Jay Paul Deratany : Oftentimes our debates were, ‘Is this a football film?’ or ‘is this a sweet story?’And the question became, ‘why can’t it be both?’ A sweet story is important, but so is Caden’s story. When writing this, I wanted to make Caden the central character because there really hasn’t been a movie where a person with a disability is the main character.

It’s a difficult balance because many people want to watch a great football movie, but we also have this beautiful, inspirational story and these sweet moments Caden shares with his mother. Finding that balance took a lot of writing and rewriting, and many conversations between the writers and the family to understand the ir dynamics and what they had gone through.

For instance, Caden and his family had to move because the first school he attended did not treat him well. They treated Caden very poorly, almost as if his future could only be limited to something like bagging groceries at a store. But Caden wanted more. His mom said, ‘No, we’re going to a different school that doesn’t have prejudices against individuals with disabilities.’

That move was a brave step for the family and became one of the key plot points in the movie. His mother had to move to Virginia from Ohio, and during that time the family was separated for a while. Their family dynamic was already under strain, and it became even tougher when Mari was diagnosed with cancer.

Every family has its own drama and challenges. For instance, I have a child with significant mental health challenges, and I also have to find time for myself and the rest of my family. There’s always a balance.

So in telling this story, we wanted to tell a family story—but we also wanted to tell a football story.

Atlanta Film and TV: The film explores themes of determination, family support, and breaking barriers. As the writer and producer, how did you guide the cast to ensure those themes felt organic rather than overly sentimental?

Jay Paul Deratany: This was definitely a struggle because I didn’t want the film to turn into something overly sentimental. However, I did want the film to feel genuine and authentic. I didn’t want this to become a ‘save the boy’ story. Instead, I wanted to show Caden fighting for his own needs.

In one scene, Caden says, ‘I just want to be ordinary!’ and his mother responds by telling him that he’s not. He’s extraordinary! This film is not about feeling sorry for someone or saving them. It’s about allowing people the freedom and space to grow into who they are.

I wanted Caden to be his own person and to stand up for himself. That idea is what drove me as a writer, and I believe the other actors were able to understand and connect with that as well.

Atlanta Film and TV: What were the most important conversations you had with the real-life Caden and his family before and during production to ensure their story was told truthfully? 

Jay Paul Deratany: The most conversations I had were with Caden’s mother, Mari, who is a strong advocate for him. The family wanted to share all the things Caden was able to do. What was challenging, however, was narrowing those stories down because I wanted the film to focus on football while still highlighting Caden’s many accomplishments and his determination.

One of the things I learned during the process was how wonderful Caden’s brother is toward him. His brother is protective and loving, and they share a beautiful bond that I wanted to show in the film.

Atlanta Film and TV: Filming in Georgia, including large-scale stadium scenes, presents both creative opportunities and logistical challenges. How did the Atlanta locations shape your visual and storytelling approach?

Jay Paul Deratany: The beauty of Georgia is amazing. We couldn’t film in Ohio because Ashley was only available in January, and it would have been too cold. However, when we arrived in Georgia, it was cold there too!

As for the stadium, UGA is stunning, and the campus is beautiful. Both schools we filmed at were welcoming and accommodating. Everyone has been lovely. We have a great team, and many of them previously worked together on Magnolia! The team knows each other well, collaborates smoothly, and is wonderfully diverse, which makes the experience even more special.

Atlanta Film and TV: What conversations do you hope people will have once they watch this film? 

Jay Paul Deratany:I hope people will look at someone and think, ‘I didn’t know a person with Down syndrome could read,’ or, ‘I didn’t know they could play football! Oh! They can go to college?’ Maybe someone who has been a bully might ask themselves, ‘Why did I make fun of that girl at school?’ or, ‘Why was I mean to her?’ People don’t usually intend to be hurtful toward those with special needs; often, they just avoid them because they feel uncomfortable.