The Observer, April 27, 2007
Volume XXXIX, Issue 26
Movie showing promotes awareness of disabilities
In celebration of Disability Awareness Day, the Office of Disability Resources in cooperation with Alpha Phi Omega is holding a screening of the film Murder Ball tonight at 5 p.m. in Thwing Center's Hitchcock Lounge. The film follows the lives and stories of several quadriplegic rugby players as they participate in the Paralympic Games.
"The purpose of Disability Awareness Day is to show the campus that students with disabilities still have many abilities, and just to bring overall awareness of what it's like living with a disability. Murder Ball is the perfect movie to showcase this," said Alpha Phi Omega member Maya Brown.
The Office of Disability Resources holds at least one event per year to raise awareness of the effects of disabilities and also to inspire those around campus with stories of those affected by and dealing with a disability.
"People with disabilities are not heroes because they do typical things in everyday life," said Susan Sampson, Associate Director of the Office of Disability Resources. "They are people who want to experience all that they can in life, just like everyone else."
Genn Gibbs, an Alpha Phi Omega pledge, advised that disabilities in no way should hinder a student in pursuing a goal or dream, but they unfortunately do present obstacles in day-to-day living. Such obstacles, however, do not have to be debilitating.
"I tutor a girl with cerebral palsy; she is non-verbal and cannot control anything but her right foot, but mathematically, she is more gifted than most. But frustration builds when she tries to express herself to those who are not familiar with her adaptive mode of communication."
In addition to the film, the Office of Disability Resources and Alpha Phi Omega will provide a free meal of wings, candy, and soft drinks, along with a discussion of the film afterwards.
"Students should watch this movie to expand their horizons and just because it's going to be a great time," said Brown. "And really, what's a better way to relax after the last full week of class than that?"
Sampson also advised student attendance to the film screening, saying, "All students should attend and learn about persons with disabilities. Most of us will either face [our] own acquired disability or have a family member who has a disability," she said.
The brothers of Alpha Phi Omega have a history with the Office of Disability Resources. In addition, the brothers have been instrumental in raising awareness for other diseases, recently with their March for Marfan.
