In “The Ride Ahead” expect a massive dose of suffering and genetic injustice alleviated, if not conquered, by a strong spirit resentful of being talked down to armoured by a boundless will to overcome obstacles facing severely handicapped Samuel afflicted with GNA01 Neurodevelopmental Disorder a progressive disorder so rare that there are a mere hundreds of sufferers in the globe. Sam is suffering from Cerebral palsy, epilepsy and a swallowing disorder since infancy. Sam is confined to a wheelchair, spastically twitches particularly when excited or upset and can barely speak. Let’s be frank and say you are thinking “poor bastard” and Sam would appreciate that honesty of the ignorant, yes may be me and you.
Shockingly as the documentary commences you may be knocked on your ass when Sam says that if he had the chance he would never take away his disability as it has made him the way he is and he likes the way he is. But many viewers know they have faced adversity and somehow managed to deal with it and conclude this adversity has made them stronger. At this point you are hooked into the story of Sam. A story both painful and inspiring.
Sam wants a life with dignity. He wants to know how he can live a fulfilling life as an adult. In search of this he embarks on a cross country search to speak with “Hall of Famers” disability activists and he blossoms into a man equipped with practical and spiritual guidance from the “disabled” and after the documentary I am finding this term “disabled” almost offensive. As one of his mentors in his journey says, “Disability does not reside in the person, it resides in the environment the person lives in.”
Although this may be Sam’s journey of self discovery the wide variety of his mentors expose what the life of the “disabled” is like and what can be done to integrate them into the society they deserve to be in. As Maysoon, a palsied comedian, tells him the disabled must be behind the camera and tell their story otherwise they face an endless pity party. And that is what Sam does by making this documentary about his life.
Watching the documentary pity is but disrespect. Is it time we rethink the term disabled? Is disabled a reflection on society that fails to reflect on the belief and support system that disables those who should not be disabled other than through a system that disables them. In short this is not Sam’s story. It is in a plenitude of ways a society that stigmatizes those who are not like the majority.
Directed by Samuel and Don Habib. World Premiere at Hot Docs 28/30April2024.
RKS 2024 Film Rating 89/100.
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