10.23-Write about what you wish...

I had the privilege of viewing a moving documentary today. It was detailing the life of a young man named Darius Weems and his travels throughout the U.S. He had been diagnosed with muscular dystrophy which is disease that gradually shuts downs the use of a person's muscles. One in every 3500 children born will have the disease. People who are diagnosed with muscular dystrophy die between their teen and early twenty years. Darius wanted to raise awareness about his disease to the people of our generation. His older brother had died from the illness at just 19 years of age. As Darius and eleven friends from his communtiy center take a road trip, they stop at various sites and attractions in different cities. Many places weren't wheelchair accessible. This was another reason that they filmed the documentary, to show the world that everyone wants to be able to use a facility just like those without a disability. When they stopped in Los Angeles, their main destination, they were hoping that they would be able to have MTV "pimp" Darius' wheelchair. But to no avail. Although this deeply hurt the crew and shattered Darius' dreams, they continued on their cross country road trip. I admired this young man so much. He was very happy and outgoing and he was going places that many will never see in a lifetime, all while confined to his wheelchair. He knew that soon one day the disease would take his life but it was as if he didn't care. His main goal was to raise awareness about his illness. The documentary moved me but it reiterated the fact that you should cherish your life. And now I want to help support his cause.