Doc World

Marcelo Vasquez Bracamonte, one of the leaders of the disability rights movement, speaks to his fellow protestors about why they are trekking to La Paz from Cochabamba. The community is fighting for a pension and their rights to education, labor, transportation and more in which they have been left out in Bolivian society.

In Bolivia, activists with disabilities risked everything for dignity. When pleas for a pension were ignored, they united in protest - trekking across the Andes in their wheelchairs. An inspiring journey followed, facing off against a government determined to silence them and a society indifferent to their struggle. But through cold, hunger, and vitriol, their resilience proved unstoppable.

Feliza Ali Ramos, a leader and protestor of the disability movement in Bolivia, speaks with a journalist about what and why her community is asking the government for a pension. The assistance would have helped Feliza avoid experiences like she talks about and how indignity plays a role in their daily lives.

In Bolivia, the distance between Cochabamba and La Paz is 380 kilometers. The protestors are traveling from the city to the country's capital in their wheelchairs and on foot to fight for the disability rights over the course of 35 days and a high of 4700 meters above sea level. It's just the beginning of their journey...

In Bolivia, activists with disabilities risked everything for dignity. When pleas for a pension were ignored, they united in protest - trekking across the Andes in their wheelchairs. An inspiring journey followed, facing off against a government determined to silence them and a society indifferent to their struggle. But through cold, hunger, and vitriol, their resilience proved unstoppable.

Disability movement leaders Feliza and Rose Mery talk to the media about why a pension for people with disabilities is achievable in Bolivia. They show, by the numbers, how 500 bolivianos is a reasonable amount of aid per person per month when the Minister of Communications, Marianela Paco, spends an inordinate amount for marketing per day.

In Bolivia, the government has turned its back on their citizens with disabilities...and disparaged the character of the people as unproductive in society. Miguel Mamani Coro, one of the protestors of the disability movement, tells his side of the story - Miguel showed up in Laz Paz with bravery, made his family proud and for the first time, realized his value in life.

In Hainan, China’s southernmost province, hundreds of athletes as young as 9-years-old train as part of the Chinese National Surf team. The young recruits, who have left their families, feel the pressure of failure. Over the course of two years, the film follows two of the country's top surfers, Alex, 17, and Lolo, 22, as they train, compete, and discover what they want their lives to be.

Head coach Grant Thomas explains what China wants to achieve with its National Surf Team. Through the country's Chinese National Competitions, they seek the best of the best athletes so that China and their surfers can reach the global stage at the World Surf League Championship Tour and International Surfing Association with the ultimate goal being the Olympics.

In Hainan, China’s southernmost province, hundreds of athletes as young as 9-years-old train as part of the Chinese National Surf team. The young recruits, who have left their families, feel the pressure of failure. Over the course of two years, the film follows two of the country's top surfers, Alex, 17, and Lolo, 22, as they train, compete, and discover what they want their lives to be.

Deputy coach Moyu Huang of China's National Team talks about young Chinese surfer Dong Wu Shidong. Huang sees Dong as an athlete with potential for championships but also knows of the pressure of making the medal stand. For athletes like Dong, sports is a mental game and winning can become an obstacle.

In less than a decade, surfing has become a sport in China for both recreation and profession. The country now has a national team and hosts competitions all with its eyes set on the Olympics. How did the Chinese government and a group of international coaches create a program of impressive young athletes in such a short time? Head coach Grant Thomas and assistant coach Matt Clark explain.