Why I Liked the Movie 'The Upside' as a Wheelchair User
I recently went to see “The Upside.” I was skeptical at first because many films misrepresent the lives of people with disabilities. They make our lives seem sad and discouraging, but for most of us, that is far from reality.
I’m so glad I went to go see “The Upside,” though!
The film follows Dell Scott, a parolee struggling to find work after being released from prison. What he thinks is going to be a janitorial job at a fancy apartment turns out to be something completely different: working as a caretaker for Philip, a wealthy quadriplegic wheelchair user.
At first, Dell just expects Philip to sign his paperwork and send him on his way. Much to the parolee’s surprise though, Philip actually hires him to be his full-time caregiver. Philip’s and Dell’s relationship quickly becomes a beautiful symbiosis in which Philip starts living his best life while Dell learns how to be more humble.
I believe “The Upside” is a must-see film for everybody. It will move you from start to finish. You’ll shed tears, laugh until you cry, and sit in awe of the phenomenal acting. The writers did an excellent job balancing out the sad moments with joy.
The film also tackles the deep subject of living with a disability so well. It touches on misconceptions people have about living with a disability while also accurately showing how society treats those with disabilities. It focuses on how adaptable people with disabilities truly are and how the people around them can make or break their lives. The film also covers heartbreaking realities like rejection and isolation for wheelchair users. But don’t worry: it balances out these tearful moments with the humorous ways people face their greatest obstacles.
Whether you’re disabled or not, I hope “The Upside” will inspire you to find happiness in your life. I believe no matter what obstacles you face, you can enjoy life. I think the film shows that anyone can be successful and find their way in life if someone just gives them a chance.
Photo via STX Entertainment.
Tylia L. Flores is a twenty-eight-year-old born with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Despite her condition that affects her mobility, she does not allow it to affect her will and determination to make a difference in the world. Through her many life challenges and obstacles, she discovered her passion for writing. Tylia’s goal in life is to share her stories with the world. In doing so, she hopes to help others with disabilities realize that they, too, have the potential to make their dreams come true. Tylia is not only an author. She’s a radio show personality and a disability activist. Tylia has written about disability-related topics for Yahoo Life, Your Tango, The Mighty, ReadUnwritten.com, Words Between Coasts Project, Wednesday, Spilwords, and Goble Thrive. Worth Living Among her other appearances are Disability on the Spectrum and Why I was Afraid of Sexuality. Previously, Tylia was nominated to Diversabilities list of the most influential Disability Impacts of 2022. Additionally, Tylia holds the position of chairman in the creative director role for the North American Association Of Cerebral Palsy Advocates. She serves as a mentor for the Disability EmpowHer Network as well. Tylia also works for Write It Up Publishing as a sensitivity reader focusing on disability representation. Tylia has also been involved in many movie press releases for Samuel Goldwyn Films Come as you are Piece of me which was the short film directed and written by award winning filmmaker Bruna Cabral as well as the film adaptation of the book Calvin can’t fly by Jenifer Burnes Tylia is also a keynote speaker at 2020’s Cerebral Palsy Awareness conference. She has also been a guest speaker at Northeastern State University Broken Arrow where she talks to college students about disability and inclusion in education. She has also been a guest speaker at Plantation Middle School, where she discussed inclusion and disability with classmates. Tylia is fully certified in Education for All: Disability, Diversity, and Inclusion through Cape Town University. She’s also certified in Understanding Diversity and Inclusion through Purdue University. She’s also certified in creative writing at the University of East Anglia. Tylia hosts the Stomping On cerebral Palsy radio show with DJ Ty on Asheville FM with DJ Mouse during the Come On In the Kitchen segment once a month she also helps the staff behind the scenes, help bring awareness to disability awareness and inclusion within the radio broadcasting industry .
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