On March 13th, the No Barriers community gathered at a uniquely inclusive space, Brewability in Englewood, CO, for a powerful evening — celebrating resilience, storytelling, and the unstoppable spirit of the No Barriers community.
This, our first-ever No Barriers LIVE!, brought people together for a double-feature screening of two award-winning short films — From My Window and Kara: Star of the World — followed by an intimate, heartfelt panel discussion between the films’ stars, Melissa, Kara, and their family caregivers, and the evening’s host, Erik Weihenmayer, who was also a part of both of these short documentaries.
about the films
From My Window follows Melissa Simpson, a young woman with cerebral palsy who gazes at the breathtaking Rockies from her bedroom window. After lots of preparation she sets out to summit a 13,500-foot peak in her hometown of Leadville, Colorado. Accompanied by an adaptive chair and blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer she summits and overcomes immense social and physical limitations.
Kara: Star Of The World is about Kara Brouhard, who endured a traumatic brain injury at age five after being struck by an out of control skier. She became partially paralyzed and legally blind, however thirty years later, with the support of her mother and Erik Weihenmayer she returns to the site of the accident and adventures her way towards self healing.
A complex, unspoken bond
The night went beyond being an immersive storytelling experience. What struck us the most about this event was digging deeper into the real adversity family caregivers experience.
Caring for Kara and caring for Melissa is incredibly challenging, however it comes from a place of powerful love. This love doesn’t erase the difficulty, and the difficulty doesn’t erase the love; instead they coexist in a complex, often unspoken, bond.
Thank you, friends!
We owe a debt of gratitude to our incredible partners at Brewability & Pizzability, whose inclusive space, delicious pizza, and welcoming energy helped make this event truly unforgettable. We also extend deep gratitude to PASCO for their presence and unwavering commitment to supporting families and individuals affected by disabilities.
catch it all - on the pod!
For those who couldn’t make it in person to the event, we’re thrilled to share that you can now relive the entire evening through our No Barriers Podcast hosted by Erik Weihenmayer. Episodes 200 and 201 feature audio-described versions of the films, followed by the moving interviews with Melissa, Kara, their caregivers, and Erik himself.
This event reminded us why community and coming together matters — and how sharing our stories lights the path forward for others. We cannot wait to bring you more LIVE! events in the coming months. Stay tuned!
Want to do more to empower people affected by disabilities?
Our vision is “a world where barriers don’t stand in the way of possibilities” – and it because of generous donors like you that No Barriers is able to offer life-changing basecamp experiences, backcountry expeditions, and community events to our participants at no cost. Every amount makes an impact. Thank you!
