Wednesday, January 16, 2008

?Darius Goes West? arrives in Hailey

Wood River High School to hold special day

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By DANA DUGAN
Express Staff Writer

On Thursday, Jan. 17, Wood River High School special services teacher Janet Dennis will ask her students to struggle. Of course, they were in on the plan to turn an entire school day into one that tests how accessible the high school is for the handicapped.

The documentary "Darius Goes West" was screened in Sun Valley in mid-August as a fundraiser for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. After Hailey resident Karen Day spoke about the film to Dennis Quest's class (a personal growth elective class) in October, they were eager to do more.

"My first (trimester) students inspired me to do this," Dennis said. "It touched their hearts. They are caring and wanted to get involved."

Darius, a Georgia teenager who is the second in his family to suffer from the terminal disease, inspired his own college-age friends to drive him to California in an RV, in the hopes that MTV would "trick out" his wheelchair for a television program called "Pimp My Ride."

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The journey westward and back resulted in the movie. The engaging film shows the group of young men caring for Darius, helping others, having adventures along the way and raising awareness about accessibility for the handicapped.

"Darius Goes West" will be screened for the entire high school during second period. Afterwards, classes will discuss the message. The curriculum that day is being geared toward the film.