Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation Premieres Original Film I AM MY POWER at West Wind Drive-In

Santa Barbara native Grace Fisher one of four featured in film

Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation presents the premiere screening of the original film, I AM MY POWER, on October 21, 2021, at the West Wind Drive-In Theater in Goleta.

The family-friendly movie shares the story of four inspiring individuals who face adversity, find their unique power, achieve success, and resolve to help others find and unleash their own powers. Santa Barbara native, Grace Fisher, is one of the individuals highlighted in the film.

Featured individuals in I AM MY POWER

Grace Fisher of Santa Barbara - At 17, Fisher had been accepted to the prestigious Berklee School of Music when she was struck by a rare polio-like disease that paralyzed her from the neck down. She spent months in a rehabilitation hospital where she learned how to heal her soul through music therapy and adaptive art. When contacted by the Make-A-Wish, instead of asking for something for herself, Fisher decided to create a foundation to help other disabled young people make music and art. In addition to leading the Grace Fisher Foundation, Grace is currently studying music composition at UCSB. Fisher’s inspiring story is told in a 2020 documentary, Amazing Grace.

Danny J. Gomez - Danny is an actor and model who suffered a spinal cord injury that forced him to reevaluate his life and goals. Through his fortitude and perseverance, he produced and starred in a number of award-winning shorts films for the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge annual competition, which has led to job opportunities, including a modeling campaign with Zappos Adaptive and a guest appearance on NBC's New Amsterdam. He hopes to continue to be a positive force advocating for the disability community in the entertainment industry.

David Francisco - David is an accomplished singer, songwriter, musician, producer, recording engineer and spinal cord injury survivor. Three weeks after moving to Nashville to attend the world-renowned Blackbird Academy, tragedy struck. In April 2016 while riding his bicycle, David was hit by a distracted driver. His spinal cord was severely damaged and his left forearm badly injured. He spent a year in physical therapy and rehabilitation focused on regaining any mobility. He returned to Nashville nine months later and graduated from the Blackbird Academy. Soon after, he auditioned for American Idol and went all the way to Hollywood week.

Wesley Hamilton – Wesley is an award-winning athlete, speaker, model and 2021 CNN Hero. Gunshot wounds left Wesley with a spinal cord injury, in a wheelchair and deeply depressed. However, as a single father to a young daughter, he found his way out of depression through fitness and nutrition. He became empowered. He is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Disabled But Not Really (DBNR). The group works to bring positivity and hope to the disability community and beyond. DBNR joins community events to raise awareness about the role of good mental and physical health in overcoming life's challenges.

Nicole Evans – Nicole is an actor, writer and disability rights and inclusion activist. Born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Nicole is a full-time wheelchair user. She was selected as one of the Top 20 Actors from Historically Underrepresented Communities in 2020 by the Casting Society of America. She can currently be seen in her recurring roles on Good Trouble, Superstore and Special. In 2019, Nicole won Best Actor at the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge for her role as Dr. Hubbert in Human Helper. In 2019, the pilot script for this series, which she co-wrote with David Crabtree, was selected as one of the Top 10 scripts featuring a character with a disability on The Black List. Nicole is a graduate of Gold Rising Program through the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Don’t miss this special screening of I AM MY POWER on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at West Wind Drive-in Theater in Goleta. Gates open at 6 p.m. Movie begins at 7 p.m.

Attendees are asked to wear masks when outside of their vehicles and to maintain 6 feet of distance from others.