Push Girls

Push Girls is an American reality television series that began airing on the Sundance Channel in June 2012. The show is a break from the norm, defy everyday conventions and offer an honest, unfiltered look into the world of four dynamic, resilient women who have been living with paralysis.

The protagonist of this series is Angela Rockwood, a strong, glamorous woman who, at the peak of her modeling career, faced the life-changing event of a car accident that rendered her quadriplegic. Angela is the driving force behind the show, being the one who brought together the group of friends and conceptualized the idea for the series.

The other three women that make up the core group of Push Girls are Auti Angel, Mia Schaikewitz, and Tiphany Adams. Auti Angel was a successful professional dancer when a car accident took away her ability to walk but not her spirit to dance. She continues her love for performance, having gone on to become an accomplished wheelchair dancer and founding member of the Colours’N’Motion dance team.

Mia Schaikewitz never let paralysis stop her either. A champion swimmer before an AVM (arteriovenous malformation) rupture in her spinal cord left her paralyzed from the waist down, Mia found the courage and determination to get back in the pool once more, proving her strength and inspiring many through her journey.

Tiphany Adams, a paraplegic since a car accident while in high school, utilizes her experience, strength, and hope to empower others. Her story is one of overcoming odds, whether as a fitness instructor or simply as a woman refusing to be stigmatized by society's expectations, she's always creating space for opportunities and growth in life.

The show provides an unparalleled level of intimacy and a no-nonsense portrayal of life that does not tiptoe around the challenging circumstances these women face daily. The central theme of Push Girls is not about the disability but how each woman deals with life, taking on triumphs and struggles with grace and tenacity. From personal challenges, romantic relationships, careers, to shared interactions, each episode of the show presents a complete, authentic representation of life as a person living with paralysis.

Despite the severity of their physical conditions, what's remarkable about Push Girls is their indomitable spirit and relentless pursuit of independence. Their lives did not stop with paralysis, and they certainly did not surrender their dreams, ambitions, personal growth, and the pursuit of meaningful relationships. The strength and dedication of these women to lead fulfilling, emotionally rich lives are often inspirational.

Moreover, the show touches on essential social and personal issues such as accessibility, routine life situations, society's attitudes and misconceptions about people with disabilities, and independence. At the same time, it also delves into the very real concerns of finding and maintaining romantic relationships and managing personal careers while living with a disability. In shooting the show, its makers enrich the representation of disabled individuals in mainstream media, confronting, challenging, and changing the stereotypical perceptions related to disability.

Each episode of Push Girls is a testament to the human spirit's tenacity and capabilities. It gives viewers a rather vivid tableau of the everyday lives of these women, showing us a portrait of their lives that's brimming with optimism and tenacity, resilience, and unquenchable fire in their hearts. They lead by example, proving that life isn't about circumstances but how we navigate through them.

Over the course of its two-season run, Push Girls has succeeded in sparking a dialogue about disability, determined living, and the possibility of a full life no matter the physical limitations. It stands as a testament to Sundance Channel's commitment to producing content that strays from the regular, the mundane, and delve into paths less traveled to tell stories that indeed need to be told.

In essence, Push Girls is a lesson in courage, resilience, and empowerment, a shining example of humanity's indestructible spirit. It can inspire all viewers regardless of physical abilities or life situations, teaching us to rise above our circumstances and live life with grit, grace, and undying spirit.