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 ON A ROLL 
Produced by Joanne Caputo, in association with the Independent Television Service, with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
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 Monday, February 07, 2005 I'm keeping track of the media articles and features written about the movie. So far, only the Mississippi Press, The Sun Herald (Biloxi), and the Clarion Ledger (Jackson) have interviewed me. I really appreciate the coverage, and I'm certain their readers will appreciate the heads up on Joanne's film. I'm also appreciative of coverage that will be appearing in the St. Petersburg Times and on the Paul Gallo Show on Mississippi Supertalk, statewide in my home state.Meanwhile, I'm also thinking "Where's Oprah? Where's Tavis Smiley? Where's Larry King? It's not too late, and I'm working hard to get their attention. Here's an e-mail I sent to Tavis' Smiley's staff today: -- Tavis' Team, HEAR these words from a strong black man's deep, resonating voice. He is educated and articulate. He is personable, warm, energetic and humorous. He is non-threatening. He is inviting. He is saying new things. He has our attention. Now fade from black: Greg Smith is sitting next to Tavis in a power wheelchair. He is severely disabled with muscular dystrophy. He is handsome. He has a broad smile and a dimple on his right cheek. He is confident. He is the subject of an award-winning documentary film by Joanne Caputo, which will air nationwide on PBS February 15. http://www.onarolldocumentary.com/. http://www.thestrengthcoach.com/ Tavis is intrigued by his passion and perspective: "Tavis, if you wanted to invite me over to your house, would I be able to come in without it being a major ordeal? This is one of the hardest parts of being in a wheelchair. Friendships, relationships, business partnerships often develop in people's homes! But we can't get in. A long-term solution is to mandate that every new home -- not existing homes -- but every new home be constructed with at least one level entrance! Why not? And yet this idea is fought every time by the home building industry!" On discrimination: "I've felt discrimination from whites because I'm black. I've felt discrimination from blacks because I was raised in a white community... Called an Oreo! But the most painful discrimination I've faced is when black people disregard me because of my disability. The entire disability rights movement models itself after the civil rights struggle, and when I'm devalued, underestimated or marginalized by my own people, it hurts. Disability is not weakness. From my disability comes my greatest strength." On awareness: "How many stars with disabilities can you name? Chances are your list includes people who were stars already when they acquired their disability. People are afraid of disability because at first glance, we remind them of their own vulnerability, their own mortality. But we have the potential to remind them of the strength of the human spirit, of creativity, of the beauty of diversity. We need to develop some stars in the disability community so that we can get in America's living room. After being the radio voice of our movement for 13 years, I feel a responsibility to become a star. It is the greatest thing I could do for my people." -- Similar e-mail are being sent to all the big-time news and talk shows. But if anybody has a "hook-up," please call me at 877-331-7563.
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 Born with muscular dystrophy, raised by a football coach, Greg's inner strength message is woven into all of his programs: "In any situation, great opportunity exists for victory." 
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