October 21, 2007
First, an update on Darius's mom: Jamie is on the mend and should be heading home from the hospital tomorrow. She is trying to get some help in taking care of Darius for a couple of weeks so she won't have to strain herself too much. The crew will be there as much as possible, but since most of them are in college, it's difficult.
Saturday night, several of us took Darius to Atlanta (in his manual wheelchair) to Dave & Buster's (a giant arcade). He won a huge teddy bear for his mom. Tomorrow he gets his electric wheelchair back. Woo-hoo.
NOW...WE HAVE SOME VERY EXCITING NEWS TO REPORT! Thanks to an incredibly generous donation from an incredibly enthusiastic Darius Goes West fan, the Weems family is moving into a home of their own!
This amazing turn of events began with an offer to make the bathroom/shower in Darius's home wheelchair accessible. Since the Weems rent their house, however, we felt that this didn't make sense financially. Then, while working with the Athens Land Trust on a separate project, Daniel Epting (the driver in our film) found an entire house that would cost just a little more than bathroom renovations! So, Jamie is about to make the leap from paying astronomical rent to paying an affordable mortgage!
For years, Darius has only been able to access two rooms in his house: the living room and his bedroom. No more! D's new digs will have doors wide enough to wheel everywhere—including the kitchen—and will boast an accessible shower as well! This house is also perfectly located—just a short wheelchair ride from restaurants, parks, and Darius's high school, so he can now go to sporting events on his own.
But the house is also small, and although the rooms are large, it has just one bedroom. Not to worry! Thanks to another incredibly generous donation from long-time DGW supporters Margo and Jeff Barbakow, we will be adding a second bedroom…and WE COULD USE YOUR HELP!
Already, Athens architect Jennifer Bloomer has generously donated consultation and design services for this addition. And Bogart-based Maverick Materials, a subsidiary of GMS, has agreed to donate a huge chunk of the building materials and supplies we'll need to get the job done. Our goal is to have the Weems family in their new home by Thanksgiving, so we've scheduled an old-fashioned "addition raising" for the weekend of November 2 - 4.
How can YOU help with "Darius Goes Home?" Here's a wish list of what we could use…
MANPOWER
If you live in or near Athens (or feel like visiting for the weekend), we need:
• Carpenters and carpenter helpers
• Masons
• Exterior painters
• Roofers
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Sheetrock hangers
• Window installers
• Interior painters
• Siding installers
• Carpet installers
• Door hangers
• Interior Decorator (just one to coordinate fixing up the inside)
• Errand runners
SUPPLIES/MATERIALS WE COULD USE
Let us know if you or someone you know could donate any of the following:
• Interior/exterior paint
• Portable dumpster (while construction is going on)
• Recessed lighting
• Carpet (just for additional room)
• Windows
• Doors (six pre-hung, 36" or wider)
• Exterior siding (for addition)
• Dishwasher
• Blinds, curtains
FOOD
Our volunteer workers will need to be fed all weekend. If you'd like to drop off food and beverages the weekend of November 2-4, we'd be forever grateful!
FURNITURE
In their tight existing quarters, Darius's oversized wheelchair often bangs into the Weems family's furniture and has left most of it severely damaged. They would definitely appreciate these items—either new or gently used:
• Waterproof wheelchair for D's new shower
• Sofa and love seat
• Dresser (for Darius)
• Lawn furniture
• Oversized recliner
• Entertainment center
• King size bed
• Area rugs
GIFT CARDS
If you live out of town, out of state—or even if you live nearby but have prior commitments for the weekend of November 2-4--there's still a way to help with this project. Gift cards to Wal-Mart or Target would make perfect housewarming gifts and would help us add the finishing touches to the Weems' new home. If interested, you can mail these to: Darius Goes West/135 Pine Tops Court/Athens, GA 30606.
QUESTIONS? HERE'S WHO TO CONTACT
If you can help with the addition, please contact Daniel Epting at (706) 540-6577 and LEAVE A MESSAGE. Since he's often busy doing construction or catering, he sometimes can't answer his phone, but he WILL get back to you. If you can help with food or have non-construction-related questions, contact Barbara Smalley at DGW headquarters by calling (706) 613-7237 or sending an e-mail to: knowaboutit@gmail.com
Thank you SO much for your continuing support of a project we're all so passionate about. And thanks for anything you can do to help with "Darius Goes Home." We LOVE our fans!
KNOW ABOUT IT!
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
GET WELL SOON!
October 17, 2007
Yesterday, we had quite a scare...actually, two scares! Late in the afternoon, we got a call from Darius's older sister, Maroneesha, saying that D's mom, Jamie, was at the emergency room with suspected pneumonia. After running several tests, they discovered that she had congestive heart failure, and she was admitted! Maroneesha says she had to drag Jamie to the hospital in the first place because she was worried about who would take care of Darius. Good thing she listened to her daughter! Doctors say had she waited much longer, she probably would have had a major heart attack and be facing triple bypass surgery! For now, she is resting comfortably, getting the medication she needs intravenously, and is expected to be home (hopefully) by Sunday. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. And if you'd like to send her a get well card, mail it to: Jamie Robinson/235 Peach Street/Athens, GA 30606.
While Jamie was in the E.R., Darius was on his way home from school when the bus took a sharp turn. Darius fell out of his chair and ended up in the emergency room as well...in a room right across from his mom! Fortunately, he only suffered a twisted ankle and was released within a couple of hours. Today, he returned to school.
And if you can believe this: Maroneesha is scheduled to have foot surgery on Friday and will be on crutches for at least 8 weeks!
Jamie needn't worry about someone taking care of Darius. Since many DGW crew members live in Athens, they didn't hesitate to step up. Sam picked Darius up from the E.R., took him home to grab some clothes, and (temporarily) moved him into the rental house he shares with his brother, Amble, and DGW 13th crew member, Chris Williams. And this morning, Ben and Collin set their alarms early to get to Sam's and make sure Darius was bathed, fed, and taken to school before heading to their own classes at UGA.
To complicate matters, D's electric wheelchair broke this afternoon (it prefers going in circles), and it was just repaired a week or so ago in Atlanta. What's more, his pimped chair has been in the shop for weeks, but we haven't been able to get it out because the bill is $2,600, it's not covered by Medicaid, and DGW is pretty much broke.
Tim Johnson recently sent out a plea for donations to help us get through our final three film festivals and to cover unexpected expenses, and so many of our fans have generously responded. THANK YOU so much! Hopefully, we will raise enough to get his "spare" chair out of the shop soon! Meanwhile, Daniel spent over an hour tonight checking out the chair D is using now. He was hoping he could tweak it and make it go "straight." No such luck.
Speaking of film festivals, Sam, Collin, Jason, TBarn, and Darius had planned to drive to Indianapolis this weekend for the Heartland Truly Moving Pictures Film Festival. However, given that Jamie is in the hospital and Darius's wheels are not "spinning" at the moment, they have decided to cancel this trip.
We all feel certain that next week will be better!
Know about it!
Yesterday, we had quite a scare...actually, two scares! Late in the afternoon, we got a call from Darius's older sister, Maroneesha, saying that D's mom, Jamie, was at the emergency room with suspected pneumonia. After running several tests, they discovered that she had congestive heart failure, and she was admitted! Maroneesha says she had to drag Jamie to the hospital in the first place because she was worried about who would take care of Darius. Good thing she listened to her daughter! Doctors say had she waited much longer, she probably would have had a major heart attack and be facing triple bypass surgery! For now, she is resting comfortably, getting the medication she needs intravenously, and is expected to be home (hopefully) by Sunday. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. And if you'd like to send her a get well card, mail it to: Jamie Robinson/235 Peach Street/Athens, GA 30606.
While Jamie was in the E.R., Darius was on his way home from school when the bus took a sharp turn. Darius fell out of his chair and ended up in the emergency room as well...in a room right across from his mom! Fortunately, he only suffered a twisted ankle and was released within a couple of hours. Today, he returned to school.
And if you can believe this: Maroneesha is scheduled to have foot surgery on Friday and will be on crutches for at least 8 weeks!
Jamie needn't worry about someone taking care of Darius. Since many DGW crew members live in Athens, they didn't hesitate to step up. Sam picked Darius up from the E.R., took him home to grab some clothes, and (temporarily) moved him into the rental house he shares with his brother, Amble, and DGW 13th crew member, Chris Williams. And this morning, Ben and Collin set their alarms early to get to Sam's and make sure Darius was bathed, fed, and taken to school before heading to their own classes at UGA.
To complicate matters, D's electric wheelchair broke this afternoon (it prefers going in circles), and it was just repaired a week or so ago in Atlanta. What's more, his pimped chair has been in the shop for weeks, but we haven't been able to get it out because the bill is $2,600, it's not covered by Medicaid, and DGW is pretty much broke.
Tim Johnson recently sent out a plea for donations to help us get through our final three film festivals and to cover unexpected expenses, and so many of our fans have generously responded. THANK YOU so much! Hopefully, we will raise enough to get his "spare" chair out of the shop soon! Meanwhile, Daniel spent over an hour tonight checking out the chair D is using now. He was hoping he could tweak it and make it go "straight." No such luck.
Speaking of film festivals, Sam, Collin, Jason, TBarn, and Darius had planned to drive to Indianapolis this weekend for the Heartland Truly Moving Pictures Film Festival. However, given that Jamie is in the hospital and Darius's wheels are not "spinning" at the moment, they have decided to cancel this trip.
We all feel certain that next week will be better!
Know about it!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
WOO-HOO IN OJAI!
October 7 2007
Darius Goes West screened at the Ojai Film Festival in Ojai, California this weekend. We were a last minute addition to the schedule when we were INVITED to submit. We love invitations like that!
Needless to say, Ojai was too far for any of the crew to travel for a weekend, but DGW Producer Greg Schenz and DGW Executive Producer Jeff Schefel made the drive from Los Angeles to represent and to handle the Q&A. They said the audience, while smaller than we like, was incredibly supportive and enthusiastic. And they must have loved the movie, because guess what? We just got word that we won the Audience Choice Award!
That makes 24 awards at 29 festivals!
Know about it!
P.S. We've posted new pictures from the Sidewalk Festival in Birmingham that the festival folks took and sent to us. Check out Darius getting smooched by all the women!
Darius Goes West screened at the Ojai Film Festival in Ojai, California this weekend. We were a last minute addition to the schedule when we were INVITED to submit. We love invitations like that!
Needless to say, Ojai was too far for any of the crew to travel for a weekend, but DGW Producer Greg Schenz and DGW Executive Producer Jeff Schefel made the drive from Los Angeles to represent and to handle the Q&A. They said the audience, while smaller than we like, was incredibly supportive and enthusiastic. And they must have loved the movie, because guess what? We just got word that we won the Audience Choice Award!
That makes 24 awards at 29 festivals!
Know about it!
P.S. We've posted new pictures from the Sidewalk Festival in Birmingham that the festival folks took and sent to us. Check out Darius getting smooched by all the women!
Monday, October 1, 2007
WE HAD A BLAST IN 'BAMA!
October 1, 2007
We have just returned from Birmingham, Alabama, where we had an amazing weekend (we've already posted some pictures) at the Sidewalk Film Festival. The weather was picture-perfect, and the festival provided us with two rooms at an awesome historic hotel downtown called the Redmont, where the people were so friendly, and the staff loved Darius. From the Redmont, Darius could roll (and we could walk) to every venue. We saw lots of films, went to some great parties, and ate some great food.
Daniel Epting's mom, Bobbie, provided "overflow" lodging at her home in Birmingham, and we thank her so much for the hospitality!
Fifteen of us made up D's entourage. DGW crew members included: Ben, John Harmon, TBarn, Kevin, Jason, Daniel, Collin, and Kevin. Barbara Smalley and co-editor Allison Firor also joined the fun as did longtime friends and supporters Matt Phillips, Martin Suiza, Chris Williams, Ashley Epting, and Melanie Graham.
Our screening was Saturday at the Civil Rights Institute theater (how appropriate is that for a venue for our film?). The crowd was standing room only (they had to turn people away!) and so enthusiastic. They laughed at EVERYTHING--even Daniel's line about the "man purse" and Collin talking about his "skin condition". When Darius and the crew came into the theatre for a Q&A, they got a thunderous standing ovation. Darius nailed every question he was asked and cracked a lot of jokes. And when Daniel let it slip that D had turned 18 on Thursday, the entire audience sang happy birthday to him!
While in Birmingham, we met so many other great film folks and want to give a special shout out to our new friends associated with the short, "Heartburn", and the feature film, "Blood Car."
This morning, we found out that DGW was one of four movies chosen for an encore performance! Unfortunately, most of us had to get back to Athens for school or work on Monday, but Daniel volunteered to stay behind and represent us at our second showing and attend the awards ceremony.
He just called and said that the 6:30 encore performance was very well attended, and that the audience was awesome. Not only that, but we won TWO awards: Best Documentary (juried) and Audience Choice Award! We were pleasantly surprised at this news, since the competition there was quite stiff, including two docs that Kim Voyner recently mentioned as likely Oscar contenders in her "What's Up With Docs?" article in Cinematical.
That makes 23 laurel leaves!
Know about it!!!
We have just returned from Birmingham, Alabama, where we had an amazing weekend (we've already posted some pictures) at the Sidewalk Film Festival. The weather was picture-perfect, and the festival provided us with two rooms at an awesome historic hotel downtown called the Redmont, where the people were so friendly, and the staff loved Darius. From the Redmont, Darius could roll (and we could walk) to every venue. We saw lots of films, went to some great parties, and ate some great food.
Daniel Epting's mom, Bobbie, provided "overflow" lodging at her home in Birmingham, and we thank her so much for the hospitality!
Fifteen of us made up D's entourage. DGW crew members included: Ben, John Harmon, TBarn, Kevin, Jason, Daniel, Collin, and Kevin. Barbara Smalley and co-editor Allison Firor also joined the fun as did longtime friends and supporters Matt Phillips, Martin Suiza, Chris Williams, Ashley Epting, and Melanie Graham.
Our screening was Saturday at the Civil Rights Institute theater (how appropriate is that for a venue for our film?). The crowd was standing room only (they had to turn people away!) and so enthusiastic. They laughed at EVERYTHING--even Daniel's line about the "man purse" and Collin talking about his "skin condition". When Darius and the crew came into the theatre for a Q&A, they got a thunderous standing ovation. Darius nailed every question he was asked and cracked a lot of jokes. And when Daniel let it slip that D had turned 18 on Thursday, the entire audience sang happy birthday to him!
While in Birmingham, we met so many other great film folks and want to give a special shout out to our new friends associated with the short, "Heartburn", and the feature film, "Blood Car."
This morning, we found out that DGW was one of four movies chosen for an encore performance! Unfortunately, most of us had to get back to Athens for school or work on Monday, but Daniel volunteered to stay behind and represent us at our second showing and attend the awards ceremony.
He just called and said that the 6:30 encore performance was very well attended, and that the audience was awesome. Not only that, but we won TWO awards: Best Documentary (juried) and Audience Choice Award! We were pleasantly surprised at this news, since the competition there was quite stiff, including two docs that Kim Voyner recently mentioned as likely Oscar contenders in her "What's Up With Docs?" article in Cinematical.
That makes 23 laurel leaves!
Know about it!!!
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