Push Girls is a new reality show on the Sundance Channel that reveals the daily lives of four women who confined to wheel chairs. The Office of Disability Services will screen the first episode before it is released.
According to Jeffrey Vernooy, Director of Disability Sevices, Wright State was one of the five institutions in the country chosen to premiere the episode. Vernooy was contacted by the producer of Push Girls, Katie Lanegran.
The show focuses on the lives of the four women. They suffered spinal injuries either in accidents or from illness which caused them to be paralyzed.
Angela Rockwood lives her life as a model and actress, Auti Angel is an actress, singer and hip-hop dancer, Tiphany Adams is following her dream of becoming a fitness model and Mia Schaikewitz competes in multiple sports and is attempting to go back to competitive swimming. All four women are living their lives despite the odds.
“They talk about disability, that you can go forward and you can do things,” Vernooy said. “There are students that are here to get on with life.”
According to Vernooy, Push Girls is a step in the right direction. Vernooy said it is not easy to get into Hollywood when a disability is involved.
“We have taken down another barrier,” said Vernooy.
Mia Schaikewitz will come to the advanced screening and answer questions from students. The event is free and open to the public. Vernooy encourages students to bring their family and friends. This event is first come, first serve.
“When we see people with disabilities being portrayed as models, parents and teachers, it plays a part in getting them accepted into society,” Vernooy said.
