The Ride Ahead Documentary Strikes a Personal Cord, By: Jason Hahr

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Above is a large image of Samuel Habib. A young man wearing brown pants, brown shoes, and a white shirt is sitting in a black electric wheelchair. 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday, that you slept well, and are ready to tackle the day. Advocacy never stops, nor does a good writer. When I was thinking about today’s post, I originally wanted to cover another topic; however, something came into my inbox, and it was as if God and the universe were telling me to pay attention, because here was something special.

On July 21st, which happens to be the day after my 39th birthday, PBS will premiere a documentary entitled “The Ride Ahead” about a young boy named Samuel Habib, who has a rare genetic disorder that challenges him daily. He uses a communication device as well as a wheelchair and other assistive technology. I first read about this documentary in an article written by Shaun Heasley.

I do not know much about Samuel yet, but I am eagerly awaiting the documentary. The reason I’m writing about it today is twofold. I am not only interested in it from a journalistic perspective, but also from a personal one. As I stated before, I will be 39 years old very soon, and some of the desires that Samuel has hit home with me.

Of course, I already have a girlfriend; in fact, she’s not only my girlfriend but my fiancée. However, there are still some aspects of Samuel's life that I can relate to. I still live at home, but I have gained experience living independently, and I aspire to do so in the future. 

In closing, the desires that Samuel and I have are universal, regardless of one’s ability. As humans, we want to be our own person and leave our own legacy. Sometimes the path we take is not always straightforward, but as the article in Disability Scoop and the film suggest, finding others in similar situations can motivate you to do better. Thank you, PBS, for highlighting one voice within the voiceless community. The more we share our stories and life experiences, the more connected we will all be.

Until next time, your friendly neighborhood, super advocate and TV junky, Jay.

Resources: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2025/07/08/pbs-documentary-explores-transition-to-adulthood-for-young-people-with-disabilities/31521/

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