Watch Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life

Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life is a heartwarming and inspiring documentary film that revolves around a teen from Athens, Georgia, named Darius Weems who suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The 19-year-old Darius and eleven of his closest friends, including his older brother Mario, embark on a cross-country road trip in a wheelchair-accessible RV, to accomplish two things: spreading awareness about Duchenne muscular dystrophy and persuading MTV's Pimp My Ride to retrofit his manual wheelchair.

Initially, the documentary opens with Darius addressing an audience in Athens, Georgia, about his dream of riding out West to explore the Grand Canyon. We see him talking with his friends about his idea, and with their support, they begin planning the trip. The first portion of the documentary shows highlights from their journey, illustrating how travelling on long roads with limited resources and no backup is undoubtedly an arduous task for someone like Darius, who requires continuous medical supervision.

As they journey through different states, including Tennessee, Louisiana, New Mexico, and California, Darius and his team encounter both meaningful and challenging experiences. Darius meets with other kids who suffer from dystrophy, and they bond over their experience, forming a memorable and touching friendship that brings tears to the eye. Meanwhile, their mission to enter the Pimp My Ride show runs into some roadblocks, with MTV initially rejecting Darius` request. However, his spirit and passion to raise awareness and educate the public about Duchenne muscular dystrophy remained unbroken.

The turning point of the documentary is when Darius and his team finally get the chance to meet the creator of Pimp My Ride, Xzibit, and share their mission's story. Xzibit and the Pimp My Ride team agree to assist with outfitting Darius's manual wheelchair, and the production team follows the transformation process, with local residents cheering them on. It is a moment of joy and hope for Darius and his family, who had witnessed the limitations of a manual wheelchair first-hand.

As the documentary concludes and the team returns home, they reflect on the lessons they learned from their trip. Darius confesses that he was unsure whether the trip would have any impact previously, "But that was the whole deal; we didn't have a clue. And then, all of a sudden, I think we did. Because even if we didn't change anything, we went out there and put it into the world." In this moment, we see how Darius has grown and matured, and his trip's effect on him and those with whom he interacted is apparent.

Overall, Darius Goes West: The Roll of His Life is a profoundly moving and engaging documentary that portrays Darius's remarkable passion to live a fulfilling life despite his physical limitations. It highlights his unbreakable spirit, his charisma and energy, and his undying passion for educating others about muscular dystrophy. Through their adventure, the team witnessed the kindness of humanity and their willingness to help others in need, which makes the documentary a powerful and significant watch for all ages. Whether you are familiar with muscular dystrophy or not, this film presents a compelling account of the experience of a person with a disability, and their inherent dignity and resilience.