Documentary Chronicling Jessica Cox's Amazing Story of Overcoming Adversity
Premieres Saturday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT
LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, DC – May 10, 2017 - Handicap International and Fuse have teamed up for the U.S. television premiere of the award-winning documentary Right Footed on Saturday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The film presents the uplifting story of Jessica Cox, a young Filipino-American born without arms, who defied the odds by mastering everything from driving a car to piloting an airplane using her feet. The second film in Fuse's "We The Dreamers" documentary series, Right Footed follows Cox as she transforms from motivational speaker into a mentor and a leading advocate for people with disabilities. Right Footed was directed and produced by Nick Spark.
Filmed on three continents over a two-year period, Right Footed provides an important example of how—through inclusion, access to education, health care, opportunity, and community support—people with disabilities live full and accomplished lives. The film also shows how these opportunities are severely limited in the developing world.
In keeping with Fuse's commitment to offer a viewing experience that expands the level of engagement and awareness of crucial issues, Handicap International will serve as a resource for the network’s multi-platform audience by providing additional information on these important issues and offering viewers the opportunity to join HI’s work, which includes advocating for the U.S. to join the landmark disability treaty, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The organization will also make the official movie trailer available to their online and social community who support their mission to improve the lives of people with disabilities and vulnerable populations.
"In Ethiopia, the first country Jessica visits in Right Footed, just 1% of children with disabilities have the chance to go to school," explains Jeff Meer, executive director of Handicap International. "There are more than 1 billion people with disabilities in the world—15% of the global population—and among them 19 million children who aren't in school. As adults, opportunities to enjoy waged employment are limited: fewer than 20% of people with disabilities currently work, despite wanting to. Imagine if the children being excluded from school right now all over the world instead had the same chances to learn as Jessica enjoyed here in the U.S.? We are happy to partner with Fuse, which is bringing important information to its audience through the U.S. premiere of Right Footed.”
The documentary is also part of Fuse's inaugural Future Asian & Pacific History Month, which began May 1, and celebrates emerging Asian and Pacific Islander leaders in music, film, sports, TV, and literature with on air programming and online content at www.fuse.tv each day this month.
About Fuse Media
Fuse Media is an independently owned multiplatform media company reflecting the wide-ranging tastes and attitudes of the fast-growing, Latino and multicultural 18-34 audience. The company's media brands include the Fuse and FM linear and video-on-demand (VOD) channels; Fuse.tv online and mobile websites; the Fuse TV mobile and over-the-top (OTT) apps; a podcast network; several branded social media channels; and live events. Fuse network is currently available in approximately 70 million households and FM reaches over 43 million households.
Connect with Fuse: Website | Press site | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
About Handicap International
Handicap International is an independent international aid organization. It has been working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster for 35 years. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions, and promoting respect for their dignity and basic rights. Handicap International has set up development programs in more than 60 countries and intervenes in numerous emergency situations. Offices in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States work constantly to mobilize resources, jointly manage projects and to increase the impact of the organization’s principles and actions. Handicap International is one of six founding organizations of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL), the co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997; and the winner of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize in 2011. Handicap International takes action and campaigns in places where “living in dignity” is no easy task. Learn more here.
Connect with Handicap International: Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram
Right Footed Website | Facebook | Twitter
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