Action Duchenne (formerly PPUK)

Upcoming event:

Face to Face with Duchenne Conference 2008, Register today for our conference 2008 on Oct 31st/Nov1st

Register »

Darius Goes West

  • August 18th 2008
  • Posted by at 18:20pm

Gala Charity Film Festival

Première of Darius Goes West!

Location:  Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Event:       Family Film Festival
Date:        16th August 2008

Website: http://www.charleysfund.com/    http://www.dariusgoeswest.com/film.html

Introduction

We started off the day by watching on a big projector screen, a few short films made by young disabled people from the Family Friendly Film School which is in Greater Manchester!  The films put together was good but was made purely for the younger generation.

The event was put on by the Family Friendly Film Festival and because of there kind generosity they allowed us to raise money for Action Duchenne & Charley’s Fund by putting on a raffle and letting us sell T-Shirts.

After the short films were shown, there was a 20 minute break!  Then I and Esther Derber – Action Duchenne Fundraiser manager, made our way onto the stage and we both talked to the audience about the Charity Action Duchenne and what our goal is, which is to raise the awareness (profile) of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy the severe muscle wasting condition and raise enough money to cure it, or if not a cure at least a treatment to improve quality of life for sufferers all over the world.  Also I gave an introduction to the Film Darius Goes West and talked about what it’s like living with this horrific disease.  I told the audience that Darius has been in touch with me via the internet just saying that he’s sorry that he couldn’t make an personal appearance in England but thanks everyone for there support and is very happy that Darius Goes West has gone global.

Film – Darius Goes West – Roll of his life!
Dir Logan Smalley, 2007, USA, 92mins

Most suitable for ages 8+

About a boy called Darius Weems from Athens, Georgia, who was born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). In 1989, Darius watched his beloved older brother, Mario; pass away from the same disease at age 19. Soon after, Darius lost use of the muscles in his legs and began using a wheelchair. A group of Darius’s friends felt there was no need for his quality of life to disintegrate along with his muscles. So, they decided to take Darius, who had never seen a range of mountains, never dipped his toes into an ocean, and never crossed a state line on the adventure of a lifetime. After raising $60,000, this “band of brothers” rented a wheelchair-accessible RV and hit the road in July of 2005. Their three-week cross-country journey had one major goal: to reach Los Angeles and convince MTV’s popular show, “Pimp My Ride,’ to customize Darius’s wheelchair. Along the way, they evaluated wheelchair accessibility at many of America’s major tourist attractions and raised awareness of DMD by holding over a dozen press conferences. They also found joy, brotherhood, and the knowledge that life, even when imperfect, is always worth the ride.

Film review

A very informative documentary which has focused mainly on the youth, a generation of young adults to make awareness of the effects that Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has on the individuals living with the illness and also the effects it has on the families and friends of that individual.  In this film you will experience good feel moments with a mixture of emotions, from shedding a tear to crying with laughter.

An all around awesome documentary and I would recommend it to everybody!

“Certain to stir hearts” – Variety

“A comical and poignant tale… Ulysses and Luke Skywalker have nothing on 15 -year-old Darius Weems“– Los Angeles Times

I urge everyone to buy a copy of the film from the Darius Goes West website, not only is it a film you will enjoy and learn from his experience but in purchasing the DVD you will be making a huge difference to Duchenne suffers like me & Darius all around the world because the money from the DVD goes directly into a cure or treatment!

http://www.dariusgoeswest.com/film.html


1  Comments


  1. Vici
    August 18th 2008
    21:59pm

    Well done Carl for yet again bringing the issues you face and duchenne to the public and for making a difference to all those affected with duchenne. It sounds like it was a great event. And you really are an inspiration and a truly remarkable person keep going we are all with you! Vici Gav Zak and Sian Richardson x

Add your comment

You need to login or register to make comments.

Previous posts