Darius Goes West

I love documentaries. I also love film making, and enjoying life as much as possible. Darius Goes West is just that: it's an enjoyment of life.

A group of young men decided to take their friend, Darius Weems, across the country to California where they would attempt to get his wheelchair "Pimped out" on the MTV hit show Pimp my Ride. Darius, 15 at the time, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), and had never left home before. His brother had died of the disease when he was 19 years old. Along their journey, Darius sees the ocean for the first time, his friends bring his wheelchair all the way down to the shore and he gets in the water and floats first in the Atlantic Ocean, and gets to do it again in the Pacific Ocean when they reach California.

The entire trip was funded by private donations from family members and friends and along the road Darius Weems becomes a legend as their journey was covered by news stations and newspapers. During their trip, the wanted to showcase the different places that were handicapped accessible and those that were not and those news stations helped them do just that.

You can actually watch the entire movie online DARIUS GOES WEST but if you purchase the DVD proceeds go to Charley's Fund a charity for DMD.

I would definitely recommend watching this film, it's beautiful and joyful. Darius doesn't see his disease as an obstacle or as a struggle, and doesn't allow it to stop him from doing any of the things he's wanted to do.