Without Pity: A Film About Abilities

Without Pity: A Film About Abilities
Written by	Michael Mierendorf
Directed by	Michael Mierendorf
Narrated by	Christopher Reeve
Country of origin	United States
Production
Executive producer	Sheila Nevins
Producer	Michael Mierendorf
Running time	55 minutes
Production company	Michael Mierendorf Productions
Original release
Network	HBO
Release	October 8, 1996 (1996-10-08)

Without Pity: A Film About Abilities is a 1996 American television documentary film narrated by Christopher Reeve. This documentary celebrates the efforts of those with disabilities to live full, productive lives. It originally premiered on HBO on October 8, 1996.

Summary

The viewers meet a cross section of Americans in the film. A young woman with cerebral palsy who cares for her baby, while a man with cerebral palsy lives successfully on his own after 40 years in a Colorado institution. The film takes a trip to school with a remarkable 6-year-old boy without arms or legs, visits the workplace of a blind computer expert, and meets a professor with polio who teaches the history of discrimination against people with disabilities. A young man recently made paraplegic discusses his daily battle with depression and his determination and motivation to overcome it and get on with his life.

This film applauds the resilience and potential of people with disabilities and their need to be determined to be self-sufficient.