"Rolling With Diane" by Brisbane State High School (Australia, 2023) explores themes of achievement, fearlessness and motivation through the lens of school and sport. The short highlights the abilities and everyday challenges of a teenager with a physical disability, including aspects of wheelchair use. Presented as part of the Focus on Ability festival, it celebrates individual strength and community support without sensationalising disability. Short, direct and empathetic, the film sits comfortably among other works that showcase young people’s determination and sense of belonging. An accessible and uplifting addition to this year’s programme.
We all come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes, but all spin in the same way, in the wheelchair. There's a difference, each of us is unique, but we are all humans in the wheelchair. My name is Diane Liu. The second school week I was in a wheelchair, but I'm doing it now. Has it been a hard transition going into a wheelchair, and did you receive any assistance with that? Yes, yes. Yeah, I did get some help in the wheelchair, but not a lot of help. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's kind of hard for me. I really hate it. I hate it so much. Yeah, but I just really enjoy it. I have fun and enjoy myself. Good morning, my name is Catherine McKay. I have the pleasure of working with the fearless Diana Liu. I am a learning support officer at Brisbane State High School, and I've worked on and off with Di for maybe three, four years. The great thing I can tell you about Di, she's fearless. Whether she's running in a dance master class, whether she's swimming laps. I had the privilege of swimming with Di, and I'm a swim teacher. Diane Liu is a natural fish in the water, and I wish I could swim with her forever. She will navigate anything. She has all abilities, and she is amazing. I think it will resolve the issues. How many people have to deal with? Simply, like I'm using a wheelchair for you, it's very hard for me. I should really force you to open the doors for me, but I will actually choose to embrace it. It's too bad that I have to walk over people instead of people walking away. Unless I just hold on to the difficulty every day. But I generally make excuses, and I generally give it up. See, I often find people make excuses to do just about anything with their lives. But even given your circumstances, you never make excuses to do anything. What would your message be to those people? Just never give up. Yes, never give up at all. And just have fun. For more UN videos visit www.un.org
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12 comments
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ANNE BLOOM16/09/2023
Really great film well done to all.
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Grainne Hamer14/09/2023
Keep on rolling Di a new and fresh perspective on disability though the lens of two amazing young individuals. Well done Max for rising to the challenge. And congrats to your bravery Di an inspiration
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Kerryn Newton23/08/2023
Beautiful touching story - thank you for telling it so well Max. Diane - youre an inspiration.
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MARY SKARPARIS22/08/2023
We at WESS are so proud of how far you have come. From Year 3 till now in high school you have spread your wings. Love your sassy attitude.
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Nathan Canavan22/08/2023
Beautiful heartfelt doco Love Di's inspiring attitude and general cheekiness D
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Desleigh Jones21/08/2023
Amazing Di You have a positive influence on every single person you meet. Love it Des
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Natasha Chiu21/08/2023
Diane I am so proud of you. You are awesome. Thank you for your inspiration for encouraging me to get through difficulties. You have been doing great Keep it up Love your smiling face -
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Madeline Hartwig21/08/2023
This is such an incredible video highlighting an amazing person
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Angelica Jolly21/08/2023
Thank you Max for sharing in Dianes story. Well executed. Diane continue to love life youre an inspiration too many.
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Fiona HUDGHTON20/08/2023
Congratulations Max Hanson on an outstanding documentary on a wonderful young woman
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Linda Mackie20/08/2023
Diane you are an inspiration for everyone who faces challenges in their life. You should be so proud of yourself and what you have achieved. I wish I was more like you Congratulations to Max for capturing Dianes fearless and cheeky attitude so well
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Kim Thomasson18/08/2023
Congratulations Max and Diane. Diane you are still you...cheeky resilient fun to be around and inspiring. It was good to see your face.Max what an amazing piece of work You truly captured Diane and who she is.Ms T
Really great film well done to all.
Keep on rolling Di a new and fresh perspective on disability though the lens of two amazing young individuals. Well done Max for rising to the challenge. And congrats to your bravery Di an inspiration
Beautiful touching story - thank you for telling it so well Max. Diane - youre an inspiration.
We at WESS are so proud of how far you have come. From Year 3 till now in high school you have spread your wings. Love your sassy attitude.
Beautiful heartfelt doco Love Di's inspiring attitude and general cheekiness D
Amazing Di You have a positive influence on every single person you meet. Love it Des
Diane I am so proud of you. You are awesome. Thank you for your inspiration for encouraging me to get through difficulties. You have been doing great Keep it up Love your smiling face -
This is such an incredible video highlighting an amazing person
Thank you Max for sharing in Dianes story. Well executed. Diane continue to love life youre an inspiration too many.
Congratulations Max Hanson on an outstanding documentary on a wonderful young woman
Diane you are an inspiration for everyone who faces challenges in their life. You should be so proud of yourself and what you have achieved. I wish I was more like you Congratulations to Max for capturing Dianes fearless and cheeky attitude so well
Congratulations Max and Diane. Diane you are still you...cheeky resilient fun to be around and inspiring. It was good to see your face.Max what an amazing piece of work You truly captured Diane and who she is.Ms T