Darius Goes West

(USA, 2007, 92 mins)

digital video

Wisconsin Premiere

cinematographer: John Hadden, Dylan Wilson
still photography: Kevin Wier
sound: Jason Hees

• IMDB Film Info
• www.dariusgoeswest.org/
• Trailer

Meet 15-year-old Darius Weems from Athens, Ga. He was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), the most common fatal genetic disorder to affect children worldwide. His older brother Mario passed away from the same disease at age 19. Soon after, Darius lost use of the muscles in his legs and had to begin using a wheelchair. A group of Darius’s friends decided there was no need for his quality of life to disintegrate along with his muscles. In the summer of 2005, they rented a wheelchair-accessible RV and took Darius, who had never seen mountains, the ocean, or even crossed the Georgia state line, on the adventure of a lifetime. The ultimate goal of their 7,000-mile cross-country journey was to reach Los Angeles and convince MTV’s hit show “Pimp My Ride” to customize Darius’s wheelchair. Along the way, they evaluated wheelchair accessibility in America, celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act and raised awareness of DMD. They also found joy, brotherhood and the knowledge that life, even when imperfect, is always worth the ride. Winner of more than 12 Audience Choice awards at film festivals.

Sponsored By:

UW Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education

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