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Monday, August 06, 2012

PUSH Girls



Several years back now I decided to attend a fundraising dinner for my favorite charity, the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.  It was about a 2 hour drive to get to the dinner, but when I got there, I was seated with a stunning couple that I found out lived about a mile from my place in Los Angeles!  We all became great friends and have stayed that way ever since. That couple was Dustin (actor) and Angela (Model).  Recently, Angela just launched a TV Show helping to dispel some of the myths and give insight into the experience of living and thriving with a handicap.  Angela was in a car accident several years ago which left her quadriplegic.  When faced with the options that life had given her, she decided to live with the same fervor she always had and embrace life even more.  Angela is a powerhouse, a total inspiration, and living prof that ALL THINGS are POSSIBLE!  

Her new show, PUSH GIRLS, is on the Sundance Channel.  You can find out more about the show and when to see it here: http://www.sundancechannel.com/push-girls/

Check it out!





And you can even visit their facebook page for more info:
http://www.facebook.com/PushGirls

If that doesn't inspire you, I don't know what will!!!


All Things Possible!!!
Chris

posted by Christopher Showerman @ 8/06/2012 08:55:00 AM  

40 Comments:

  • At 5:30 PM, August 07, 2012 , Blogger Tim said...

    Chris
    That was very uplifting. We do not have TV in our house but was able to watch online.

    Angela is stunningly beautiful. All the ladies are, both externally and internally. Bookmarked the page and will tune in again.

    T

     

  • At 1:08 PM, August 13, 2012 , Blogger Christopher Showerman said...

    Thanks Tim!!
    Here is another related clip that you WON'T BELIEVE!!! This guy, Aaron Fotheringham, was born with Spina Bifida so has never been able to use his legs. AND he's also a crazy daredevil on his wheelchair. Check this out!!:

    http://screen.yahoo.com/stunt-nation-wheelchair-x-with-aaron-wheelz-fotheringham-30210411.html?pb_list=649af602-a992-4635-9308-4f5d466a7d49

    Yup, all things possible!!!
    C

     

  • At 5:05 PM, August 13, 2012 , Blogger Tim said...

    That is absolutely awesome. Fearless, gutsy, incredible and the list goes on.

    I can only hope that in the event that I am faced with a challenge even half of what these folks face, that I would be able to do so with an equal amount of courage and fortitude.
    T

     

  • At 5:15 AM, August 14, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Hi everyone...Tim, Chris...thanks for the beautiful comments and story. I'll pass along. I'm back from my workshop where I get to disappear for a week down in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But now, the real work begins. And so much of it is ATP work. Thanks for all the inspiration here. It's so great to have this encouragement for our ATP-ness:)I just invented that word, but it fits. Life is so much more fun, no matter our personal challenges, when we think (practice BEING) ATP...Sue

     

  • At 5:16 AM, August 14, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Hi everyone...Tim, Chris...thanks for the beautiful comments and story. I'll pass along. I'm back from my workshop where I get to disappear for a week down in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But now, the real work begins. And so much of it is ATP work. Thanks for all the inspiration here. It's so great to have this encouragement for our ATP-ness:)I just invented that word, but it fits. Life is so much more fun, no matter our personal challenges, when we think (practice BEING) ATP...Sue

     

  • At 5:19 AM, August 14, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    This has nothing to do with the subject at hand, and you may not wish to post it on the forum--I tried to send a message directly to you, Chris, but this work computer won't let me! And I apologize for this being such short notice--I guess I didn't think it was going to happen, but it looks like it will, and is something you might be interested in attending perhaps--though it ain't cheap if you have to pay! Anyway, and you may already well know about it, there is a humongo centennial celebration of the creation of the "Tarzan" character in Woodland Hills, CA.(at the Warner Center Marriot Hotel, 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills, CA. 1(818) 887 4800) starting Thursday and running through Saturday night--I think it would be MOST appropriate for a "George-Of-The-Jungle" to attend, if he could! I got invited(ALL EXPENSES PAID! YEE HAW!) as Jane Goodall's guest--she was given that privelege since she is the guest-of-honor speaker Saturday night! And she picked ME! DANG! So I'm flying out there Friday, staying Saturday, and leaving Sunday. It should be a HOOT! If you get to attend, I'd love to get to meet you in person! Regardless, I think a "GOTJ" should be represented--YOU should be a special guest, in fact! Maybe I'll see you there? Yer blog pal--Lane Batot.

     

  • At 11:40 PM, August 14, 2012 , Blogger Christopher Showerman said...

    Welcome Back Sue! Sounds like you have come back full of energy and inspiration! Bravo!

    That's very exciting Lane!! Congratulations on being the guest of such a humanitarian luminary! If you can find a way to email me we can discuss your trip to Los Angeles!

    As for the rest of you, please keep the good energy flowing to Angela's show PUSH GIRLS!! Station programmers need to know that there is a demand for this kind of inspirational programing!!

    All Things Possible,
    Chris

     

  • At 12:26 AM, August 15, 2012 , Blogger Tanya said...

    Though I posted about how strong these women are! Must of gotten lost in space. Thank you so much for sharing this up lifting story and making us think about all the little things we take for granted. We really should appreciate what we have.

    Come fly with me - Tanya

     

  • At 7:28 AM, August 15, 2012 , Anonymous Alex said...

    Congratulations to Angela and girls for what they are doing and to all the other great, brave, fearless All Things Possible people like they are!

    Welcome back Sue and congrats Lane on being part of that celebration even thanks and with Jane
    Goodall http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_21305730/celebrating-100-years-tarzan-edgar-rice-burroughs-legacy
    Let us know more about your exciting experience there.

    Hope you're all having a nice, safe summer; take care everyone!
    Alex

     

  • At 8:01 PM, August 15, 2012 , Blogger Dave W said...

    It's too bad that my cable company doesn't carry the Sundance Channel or I would be sure to check out "Push Girls." Like everyone else here (I'm sure) the capacity of the human spirit to overcome adversity never ceases to amaze me!

    And Lane, guest of Jane Goodall at a Tarzan Conference? I have to say that you do lead an interesting life. Something about one of the world's foremost, if not the foremost, experts on primates speaking about one of fiction's greatest "Ape" men strikes me as funny (but in a good way). Can a conference about George be far off?

    Plus, I'm sure you'll have a good time in L.A. even if it's only a short visit. It's one of my favorite cities and I go out there as often as I can.

    I hope everyone enjoys the last few weeks of summer, if Sue is home from her retreat we know that fall is just around the corner. I can't believe that summer has gone by so quickly - I guess that's what staying busy will do for you.

    ATP!

    DaveW

     

  • At 7:58 AM, August 22, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Well, I survived my trip to L.A.! wow--WHAT an experience! So sorry not to connect with you Chris--part of the downside to not having a computer of my own, etc. plus, I was there such a short time, and things happened so fast, I was kinda overwhelmed! I DID drop your name(hope you don't mind) as a future guest to one of the gatherings(held every year, and called "Dum-Dums" after the great ape gatherings in the original books) to one of the head organizers Jim Sullos--he seemed to like the idea of having a GOTJ attend one day! Although he said "Wasn't that Brendan Frasier who played that part?" "Well, yeah, that was the FIRST GOTJ movie, and he might agree to come, too, but you can probably get Chris for cheaper!" Okay, I couldn't resist! Unfortunetely, I don't think Mr. Sullos has seen your movie, so he didn't get the joke! I hope he didn't think I was dissing you! But if you ever get the chance, I think you would enjoy it--I sure did! Really nice people, great food, great conversation; I had a blast!....to be continued.....L.B.

     

  • At 8:12 AM, August 22, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    ......there were some great panel discussions, including with ERB's grandkids(VERY interesting!), and a Tarzan Yell Contest which Jane Goodall herself participated in(to everyones' suprise! I think Jane had lots of fun with it all, too)--although she opted to do a chimpanzee pant-hoot rather than a Hollywood movie yell! Incredible amounts of memorabilia, including lots of "John Carter" stuff, as it was also this character's centennial. Three Tarzan actors attended: Denny Miller, Ron Ely(and his nearly identical son!), and Casper Van Dien. The main dinner was splendid, with the director of the "John Carter" movie, and then Jane Goodall as the guest speakers afterwards--quite the presentation! Lots of writers and comic artists were there, including my favorite, Tom Yeates, who now wants to do some comics with real stories of the Gombe chimps! Jane made a whole batch of new converts, I think--I believe some productive stuff will come of this association! Jane Goodall and ERBdom! I was rather impressed(in a shell-shocked sort-of way) with L.A.--not nearly as nasty as I thought, and I was fascinated with the palm trees, Western Gray squirrels, sea gulls, some kind of small blackbird I have yet to identify--although the crows and pigeons looked the same as the ones I'm familiar with. I noticed all these things on a short walk around the hotel area--not much time for other exploration! I was most intimidated by the sprawling development over the whole San Fernando valley, but those dry, desert looking hills were beautiful, and I was itching to go climbing them! No time, alas......L.B.

     

  • At 8:13 AM, August 22, 2012 , Blogger Christopher Showerman said...

    Hi Lane! I'm so glad you had a great time!! It sounds like an amazing experience and I'm sure it was enlightening too with all the great minds gathered there (present company included!) And thanks for throwing my hat in the ring for next year - and yes I get the cheaper reference! Funny! I hope you got the message I left on your hotel phone Saturday night.

    Thanks Tanya, Dave, Alex, and Sue for the great comments on PUSH GIRLS! Good news, I just heard that they got picked up for another season on the SUNDANCE CHANNEL!

    Hope you're all enjoying the final few days of summer! Sounds like you're all keeping very busy!

    All Things Possible,
    Chris

     

  • At 8:19 AM, August 22, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    ....and Dave, you may not have realized, Jane has always been a big Tarzan fan--she read all the books as a young girl, and they are partly responsible for her desire to go to Africa one day! And the rest is history! It is incredible how much influence Edgar Rice Burroughs(ERB) has had--easily(or MORE) than similar authors like Jules Verne, etc., but for whatever reason, he rarely gets the same credit--except with us die-hard fans! He just knew how to write a great story with great characters, and what an imagination! I really liked the "John Carter" movie(despite what stupid, cynical critics had to say about it....), mainly because they did follow the original book quite well. Alas, they have YET(after almost a century of attempts!) to do right in films with the original Tarzan stories--the books and movies are very different.......L.B.

     

  • At 8:29 AM, August 22, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Ha! Chris! We must be on the computer at the same time this morning!..... NO DANGIT! I didn't even know I HAD a message! DANGIT! That hotel room was so fancy, it took me awhile to figure stuff out, and obviously I never did git it all figured out! Now you will have to call my home phone and leave a message--but that will be more fun, as I have a good telephone-solicitor-repellent -message on the answering machine. And anyone else that wants to hear it, feel free! I have one a them old fashioned phones tethered to the wall so's you kin git AWAY from it--no cell phone for me! Anyway, here's the number (336) 381-0696. And it is a most appropriate message during this, an election year! And those hounds you'll here are my old Black-And-Tan, and my Bluetick--appropriately excited because I taped it at their dinner time!.....L.B.

     

  • At 6:01 PM, August 22, 2012 , Blogger Dave W said...

    Lane, I'm also glad that you enjoyed your whirlwind Tarzan experience. I certainly wish I was there too. After you had posted about Jane Goodall I did do a little bit of research and learned about her interest in Tarzan from a young age, though her somewhat contraversal views on Sasquatch (aka Bigfoot) interest me as well (her comments that she believes that the creature exists can be found here: http://www.bfro.net/news/GoodallTranscript.asp). I didn't realize that Denny Miller was still around, but I'm glad to hear it. Did you know that in addition to Tarzan he played "Tongo the Ape Man" on an episode of Gilligan's Island? Okay, signing off now before my inner geek becomes an outer geek (I know, too late).

    DaveW

     

  • At 9:43 AM, August 23, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Though it was a super experience(especially for us geek types--of which I am most definetely one, too, Dave!)--I am really bummed I missed talking to Chris, or perhaps convincing him to drive over and visit--apparently the affair was NOT very restricted, and most of the stuff was for anyone to participate in for free(I didn't realize that until I got there)--only the dinner cost participants $50.00--which still was purty darn reasonable for an affair like that, I think! People were actually wandering in off the streets to check things out, that had no prior idea about the celebration(including some real characters!) So, dangit, Chris, you COULD have just showed up, and represented GOTJ and got a jump on that Frasier guy! They hold these "Dum-Dums" every year, but in different places--next year is in Loiusville, Kentucky, which I hope to attend--that's only a day's drive away from me! I don't know when the next L. A. gathering will be, though....Yeah, Dave, Denny Miller is still kicking and looks great! I didn't get a chance to speak with him personally(SO MUCH STUFF going on--I hardly made a dent!), but he is much beloved by the ERB guys, and apparently a very funny and personable fellow, that takes his celebrity rather tongue-in-cheek! He has a book out about his Hollywood experiences I hope to get a copy of--titled something like "Isn't That What's His Name?", or something like that. I didn't have the money or space to get one this time(he had a stack there for sale, of course!), with my small, already bursting pack my only luggage on the plane. And heck yeah I remember him on "Gilligan's Island", the repeats of which I was subjected to on rainy Winter afternoons after school! He also played another character--a surfer dude--on an older black-and-white episode of that show. How's about that fer geekdom? Denny Miller did a LOT of stuff, of course!....L.B.

     

  • At 9:59 AM, August 23, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    ....and speaking of Bigfoot, Dave, I don't know if I've mentioned it on this blog, but MY high-risk teenage behaviour(rather than the usual teenager drinking, drugs, racing cars, vandalism, etc.) was perpetrating Bigfoot sightings with a horribly hand-stitched, homemade gorilla suit! A MIRACLE I never got shot! I could(and might!) write a book about those experiences one day--I think the statute of limitations should be up on most of my activities then("Confessions Of A Teenage Sasquatch"!)--so any Bigfoot sightings in the N. C. and North Georgia areas around late 1970's-early 1980's, you might want to take with a grain of salt! Jane and I have discussed the possibility of Bigfeets many times--she thinks I would be an excellent researcher on the subject! I sure can spot a fake a mile away, seeing as how I faked quite a few sightings myself, and know what to look for! And yeah, I faked tracks with humongo homemade plywood feet, too! I personally, much as I WISH thee was such a critter, highly doubt it. If so, MAYBE in remote areas of the Pacific Northwest in North America, maybe? Or perhaps remote, uninhabited valleys in the Himalayas("YETIS"), but I have grave doubts, alas. It WOULD be THE discovery of the century IF such a critter was finally proven! ATP?? At the Tarzan Centennial, during the Tarzan Yell contest, I gave my rendition of a sasquatch scream that I developed to "enhance" my sightings back in the days--which is what Tarzan's yell SHOULD sound something like, I think, as in the books, it was an INHUMAN scream like an APE, not the yodeling very human cries done in the films. Though not eligible for the prize, my scream was very popular(if unnerving!), and I think people there enjoyed my Bigfoot tales more than anything else I talked about!....L.B.

     

  • At 5:07 AM, August 24, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    ....and let me apologize profusely(I APOLOGIZE PROFUSELY!) for hi-jacking this post's subject here, which is VERY inspirational indeed! The best of success to this upcoming show, illustrating the best principles of ATP! It is so easy to take things for granted, and we all need sometimes to reflect and be thankful for even the most basic of things. Like not getting shot while impersonating Bigfoot........L.B.

     

  • At 9:10 AM, August 24, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Hi everyone,
    I've been meaning to stop in, but get sidetracked easily these days! Lots going on. Meant to comment, though, that I have been thoroughly enjoying the dialogue/discussion here with Lane and Dave's latest posts. The Tarzan/Jane Goodall/Lane stories are fascinating...and we can all hope that something ATP regarding our GOTJ2 will happen down the road a piece:). Sorry you missed each other. Ha... all the more reason for a forum fan gathering? ATP weekend wishes,Sue

     

  • At 9:13 AM, August 24, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    On a separate note, I was able to watch the Push Girls on the website some, and found them on Facebook to follow. Keep us posted on all these stories, the Push Girls and Aaron Fotheringham. Sue

     

  • At 9:26 AM, August 25, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    ...and hey guys, don't fergit the next full moon, August 31st, is a BLUE MOON(being the 2nd full moon within one month, which only happens, well, every blue moon!)--so everyone should celebrate somehow for this rare celestial event! Just sayin'.....L.B.

     

  • At 9:42 AM, August 25, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Very cool of you to remind us, Lane:)
    How would you suggest we celebrate?
    Thanks again for all the Burroughs and Goodall info...have a great weekend, everyone! Sue

     

  • At 1:09 PM, August 25, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    ....how's about painting yer butt blue, and flashing some of yer neighbors?!....L.B.

     

  • At 2:24 PM, August 25, 2012 , Blogger Tim said...

    How to celebrate the blue moon? Well, seeing as how Lane just crushed Bigfoot for me (don't worry Lane, I got over Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny too...with therapy) I guess I'll go out looking for werewolves :-)
    T

     

  • At 7:35 AM, August 26, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hey now, Tim, just because in my bored youth I perpetrated Bigfoot, and no doubt other pranking humans have too, doesn't mean somewhere there MIGHT not be such a critter! ATP, you know! Some of the sightings, tracks, etc., KNOWING what to look for regarding fakes, still give me pause.....and, sorry Sue, about the blue butt comment--I couldn't resist! You would likely get arrested, "blue-mooning" yer neighbors, so not a very good idea. Plus paint is EXPENSIVE these days, especially if you need two coats to cover things fully, which you usually do when painting anything for the first time.....No, better just celebrate by having a grape soda and a moon pie--that's a Southern thing, I believe; or a BLUEberry pie covered with whipped cream to represent the white, full moon! And don't worry about such an indulgence for the occaision, as, again, it only happens once-in-a-blue-moon!.....L.B.

     

  • At 10:37 AM, August 26, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    LOL, Lane, I'm off to a picnic with niece, nephew and kids at Waterloo, near Chris' old stomping grounds:)....but all your blue makes me think of Avatar:)....TBC/ATB/Sue

     

  • At 5:44 PM, August 26, 2012 , Blogger Tim said...

    Lane, you'll be happy to know that my therapist set my mind at ease and convinced me that the chances of a 7 ft tall, 800 lb hairy hominid running through the backwoods is far greater than that of a fat man in a red suit sliding down my chimney or a bipedal rabbit carrying a basket full of eggs. I'll sleep easy tonight knowing this.
    T

     

  • At 6:08 PM, August 26, 2012 , Blogger Dave W said...

    Hey all,
    Since this topic has somehow become about the existence (my fault I suppose) let me just say that I hope the creature exists, and if it does my guess is that it's size has been overestimated by those who have been startled and frightened by it.

    DaveW

     

  • At 6:21 PM, August 26, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Wow, this conversation will be one to go back and have fun with in the archives:). Back from our park visit. Nephew (5) starting kindergarten in Sept...caught a fish. He was so proud. Of course his dad took the cutest photo...thanks to iPhones, and whizzed it to family right away.
    Tim, someone said it was raining gently in Chicago earlier today. I
    see we're covered with green on radar, so here's hoping.Thanks Tim and Lane for keeping the excitement going:)
    and also, sending prayers for all who may be in the path of Isaac.

     

  • At 5:40 AM, August 27, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Boy, Dave, did you hit on a truism there, and I can verify with real experience how much people exagerrate! Something about stark, naked FEAR, that really gets the imagination going! It must be a survival instinct, deep-seated in our psyches. Some of the sightings I "created" were with people I knew personally(and after the fact confessed to them, whereupon I usually got pummeled!), or at least heard through the grapevine peoples' impressions; and they would SWEAR that a skinny, lanky, 6 foot tall teenager in a baggy gorilla suit was 10 feet tall and a thousand pounds!!!!!! So it is easy to see how such ideas get established! The REAL Bigfoot may actually be a 4 foot dwarf! Being an animal geek that spends a lot of time around animals out afield, I am always apalled, too, how incredibly unable people nowadays are at identifying critters--like mistaking housecats for COUGARS--I didn't used to think that was possible, but I have sadly experienced a couple of incidents where supposedley knowledgable people(like where I work--ahem!) did just that, and I myself saw the animal in question, and it was indeed just an ordinary housecat!.......L.B.

     

  • At 8:23 AM, August 27, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Post Script:)
    Thanks, Chris...Dave's post came in after I wrote, so again thanks you guys for keeping things lively. I should put a blue moon link here, though, just for fun...
    Well, I got that far, and my internet quit (Sunday), and I see there are other postings...so I'll just wish everyone an ATP week creating more fun fantasy stories:) Great dialog, although it seems there might be a person or two missing from the conversation:)Sue

     

  • At 3:57 AM, August 28, 2012 , Blogger Tim said...

    Our conversation seems a bit timely

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/bigfoot-impersonator-hit-and-killed-on-us-highway-1283509

     

  • At 8:59 PM, August 28, 2012 , Blogger Dave W said...

    Tim,
    I saw the same sad story. Sad, but a warning to others who might try the same thing. Some jokes are just not worth doing (not that we know anyone who would do anything like this, at least not anymore - right, Lane?).

    DaveW

     

  • At 9:26 PM, August 28, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Yes, thanks for sharing that story. This has been an amazing conversation, amazing topics, with some very amazing people involved!
    It's great to find all your postings in my inbox...always lights up my heart:). I love having a forum to go to for my ATP energy boost! Have a great holiday weekend everyone...Sue

     

  • At 2:30 PM, August 29, 2012 , Anonymous Alex said...

    Hi all!

    Great conversation and nice comments on this forum Lane, Dave, Tim, Sue, Chris, Tanya!

    Thanks Lane for sharing your super experience, thoughts and comments on the 100th Anniversary of the creation of the "Tarzan" character; sorry that you and Chris didn't meet each other at that event.

    Take care everyone!
    Alex

     

  • At 9:28 PM, August 29, 2012 , Blogger SusanGail said...

    Figured I'd better follow through with a blue moon link:)

    http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/29aug_bluemoon/

    ATB Blue Moon! May it bring magic to your heart:)
    Sue

     

  • At 12:24 PM, August 30, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    HA! No, I haven't done any live, artistic portrayals of "Bigfoot" in many years(hey, you know, this IS just a form of "acting"--just a very RISKY form!)--and I shake my head in amazement at the risks I took in those days! And I DO feel kinda bad now about some of my "eyewitnesses", who no doubt messed in their shorts at the time! But at least I had the good sense(?) NOT to do any of my sightings DRUNK! One must be at the most alert and on top of things at all times to survive participating in such a dangerous "sport"! I survived mainly, I think, because I was a VERY SWIFT gorilla! You DO NOT hang around an area where you perpetrate a sighting! Now, conversely, it can be very handy if your audience has been drinking--it makes for a more believing temperment, PLUS, they can't aim and shoot as accurately!....L.B.

     

  • At 5:43 AM, September 02, 2012 , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    ....well, don't know about anybody else's Blue Moon, but mine went swell(but not swollen). Had a great supper, with that fresh baked blueberry pie fer dessert(smothered until it was unrecognizable as pie, with full fat whipped cream!), and then sat on my back porch sipping coffee, watching my dogs play, while the Blue Moon rose in the East, cicadas(night shift) rasping in the trees, bats flittering around the moonbright sky. It don't git no better'n that!.....L.B.

     

  • At 9:56 AM, September 02, 2012 , Blogger Tim said...

    Sadly, Isaac treated us to clouds....and thus far not a drop of rain :-(
    T

     

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