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Against the Odds: Lilly's Legs

29 minutes 15 seconds
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In a large gymnasium, a woman sits crisscross with her arms out with a big smile on her face. Lily, a young girl with both legs amputated wearing a purple ballerina outfit, sits across from the woman mimicking her. Next to the woman are a pair of pink ballet slippers.

In "Against the Odds: Lilly's Legs," part of the inspiring "Against the Odds" series, viewers meet Lilly, a spirited young girl with Arthrogryposis affecting all four limbs. Despite challenges, Lilly dreams of becoming a ballerina. This captivating video delves into themes of resilience and determination, highlighting the importance of family support and self-acceptance. Audiences learn about prosthetics and the struggles in adapting to them, as well as the psychological aspects of coping with disabilities. Lilly's journey illustrates the power of hope and the necessity of social and emotional skills, as she strives for independence and dreams of dancing on stage. The film emphasizes themes like perseverance, the significance of supportive communities, and the pursuit of dreams, making it especially relevant for educational settings focused on inclusion and empathy.

Media Details

Runtime: 29 minutes 15 seconds

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Boy lays in hospital bed with man and woman leaning over him. Man marks two points on boy's leg with hands.
Against the Odds
Episode 1
28 minutes 25 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Mary, a blind woman, swims the butterfly stroke in an Olympic-sized pool. Her arms are out like big wings and her head is lifted out of the water. She wears black goggles and a black swimmer's cap as water splashes up around her.
Against the Odds
Episode 2
28 minutes 7 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Woman stands with arms crossed in a dance studio. Group of individuals look on with their backs facing camera while one of them claps.
Against the Odds
Episode 3
27 minutes 45 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Two boys face each other, one pointing to the other with lips parted in mid-speech. Ladybug hangs on wall with peeling paint behind them.
Against the Odds
Episode 4
27 minutes 2 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Sarah, a deaf woman, leans over a kitchen table as she holds a sippy cup in her hand. Her toddler stands on a chair at the table with a bowl in front of him. They appear to be using sign language.
Against the Odds
Episode 5
28 minutes 40 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Man with no arms and shorter legs uses a beach wheelchair, smiling at us with the ocean behind him at sunset.
Against the Odds
Episode 6
28 minutes 3 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Anthea, a woman with cerebral palsy, uses a power chair next to a man who sits with his arms crossed. She looks over at him with a big smile. There are other people around in wheelchairs.
Against the Odds
Episode 7
28 minutes 10 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Andy, a middle aged man with Parkinson's wearing a suit and glasses, holds open a door for a young girl with a pink backpack on.
Against the Odds
Episode 8
29 minutes 33 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Inside of an airplane, Charlotte, an eleven-year-old girl with amputated arms just above the elbow, and an older man wearing a blue helmet and sunglasses look at us. There are several other men in the plane behind them. They are all dressed in skydiving gear and Charlotte nervously smiles at us.
Against the Odds
Episode 9
29 minutes 13 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
Close up on Noel, a girl with spinal muscular atrophy, holding a Nikon camera up to her face.
Against the Odds
Episode 10
29 minutes 32 seconds
Grade Level: 7 - 12
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