Film, Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life , Inspires, Educates

Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life (DGW) is a must-see documentary. The film details a trip that fifteen-year-old Darius Weems takes across the country with eleven close buddies in an effort to get his wheelchair super-modified on MTV's Pimp My Ride.

The team of chums also has an ulterior motive of educating the public about Weem's condition, duchenne muscular dystrophy. They further aim to heighten awareness of accessibility issues and to let people know about the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This special young crew works to show the world that people in wheelchairs can have full, active lives. Through their documentary, they demonstrate the importance of savoring our time on earth, the importance of laughter and friendship. They brilliantly drum home the fact that all of us are interdependent, that all of us have something to contribute to each other. They show the power of friendship and how such bonds can be thicker than blood. They prove that you don't have to be a scientist to help find a cure. And they give hope that one day duchenne muscular dystrophy will be cured.

Darius touches viewers with his show of eternal love for his deceased brother who died of his same disease. The obvious strength he reaps from his brother's memory reminds us that loved ones we've lost are always with us. Darius' relationship with his devoted mother is another gem depicted in the movie. It's simply a feel-good, inspiration that will make you laugh and cry and believe that we can all make a difference.

DGW has won more than twenty awards, including audience choice of the Independent Film Festival in Boston, Massachusetts and best documentary in the Sidewalk Film Festival. All proceeds from the DVD purchases benefit Charley's Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports efforts to cure duchenne muscular dystrophy.

According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, duchenne muscular dystrophy, also know as pseudohypertrophic, ultimately encroaches on every voluntary muscle in the body as well as the heart and breathing muscles. Survival beyond early 30s is highly uncommon per MDA statistics.

For more information about the film, to purchase the DVD, to find out about DGW school programs and hosting a screening, visit www.dariusgoeswest.org. To learn more about Charley's Fund, visit www.charleysfund.org. For details on the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit www.ada.gov. For further information on duchenne muscular dystrophy, visit the Muscular Dystrophy Association at www.mda.org.

Teachers or any educator can sign up for the DGW Know About it Program by visiting www.dgwknowaboutit.com.