America ReFramed

Endless Abilities (3x21)

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In Narragansett, Rhode Island, Zachary was having the time of his life—surfing on the beach, enjoying bonfires with friends until the night he and best friend, Timmy, got into an accident. Zachary was rushed off to the hospital. Timmy didn’t make it. After being hospitalized for 6 months and overcoming feelings of guilt, Zack realized that he was going to be in a chair for the rest of his life. Zack doesn’t see himself as disabled and says that some of the coolest and most interesting people he knows are in chairs. So in the summer of 2012, Zack, along with his best friends Will, Tripp and Harvey, retrofit a vehicle for a cross-country trip in search of inspiration. Along the way they meet practitioners of the adaptive sports movement, where differently abled persons rock climb, swim competitively, play soccer and more. They also meet pioneers like Kirk Bauer, founder of Disabled Sports USA. He, with a group of war veterans, created the organization in 1967 to encourage persons like themselves to live full, integrated lives. From rehabilitation patients to Paralympic athletes, Endless Abilities captures the spirit of resilient people who defy being defined by their physical disability. Ultimately, Zack and his friends, learn that sports really are a great equalizer, unifying people of all abilities who rise to full potential on the playing field.