If you can''t stand up, stand out!

"If you can't stand up, stand out" is a statement that Angela and Tiphany say in the opening sequence of "Push Girls." There are a number of monumental moments within the show that  I feel really stands out and needs to be discussed. One example is when Auti and Tiphany go to buy their friend, Chelsea, who has only been in a wheelchair for two years, her first pair of high heals since her car crash.  This simple act of kindness and friendship demonstrates to the American audience that just because a girl has to roll through life in a chair doesn't mean she shouldn't feel and be attractive, feminine, beautiful, and sexy.  Another empowering part of the same episode is when Angela decides to host a celebration of  life party to remember the ten year anniversary since her accident.   I believe that the fact that she looks at herself making it out of the accident alive as a positive, instead of feeling sorry for herself, is wonderful; Angela sharing this viewpoint on national television is, in my opinion, a gift. Yet another awesome aspect of "Push Girls" is watching these young women discovering abilities they never knew they had, such as Angela painting, Auti both winning an all abled bodied ballroom dance competition and trying to have a baby, and Mia swimming.  As evidence of the results of the dance competition, for people with disabilities, it's way more meaningful to focus on what we can do rather than what we can't.  In still a different way, I'm inspired by Auti's and Eric's marriage and how Eric helps his wife in the bathroom, into bed, or do whatever else she needs help with in daily life.  Although some people may think that having a spouse who needs help with personal care is a burden, I believe that it shows the level of commitment and compassion that Eric feels towards Auti. Conversely, I felt equally empowered watching Mia break up with her then boyfriend, Dave, over the fact that she wants children and he doesn't.  This reaffirms my belief that just because a man loves you in spite of the wheels attached to your body doesn't mean that you need to settle for someone if you're not compatible with him.  However, the very best and most inspirational part of the whole series thus far comes during the episode entitled Fired Up; Chelsea was having a real tough time accepting her fate that she may never walk again, and Mia, trying to cheer up her friend, says something like, "Walking doesn't make for a better life.  We just need to do things differently." I feel that Mia's statement is so true because from experience living with a disability that if we focused on our abilities, we will  lead a more full and happy life.  So, moral of this story, even if you can't stand up, you can stand out, be a role model, and make a difference in the world.