Resilience and determination take the spotlight for UCHealth

“Inspirational stories about people with disabilities are common, and yet most of the time they’re being told by people who are not disabled.”

- Britton Caillouette

David Schlicht grew up in Steamboat Springs doing all the things kids do. As an avid outdoorsmen and skilled skier, he had his sights set on the Olympics. Even after losing his leg in a tragic skiing accident, he gradually learned that nothing needed to change as he worked with the UCHealth medical team. 

The spot portrays David's life before and after his accident by juxtaposing archival content with present day footage captured in the mountains and rivers of Colorado. The film, from director Britton Caillouette, emphasizes the message that willpower, determination, and a strong support system can help us rebound from even the most life-altering experiences. In David's case, this means still doing all the activities he loved most.

Like David, Britton is an amputation survivor who refused to let the experience limit him. He lost his leg to a rare form of bone cancer when he was 16. His own perspective and experience were paramount to his approach for how to communicate the power of David's story in just a short 30 second timeframe. Britton helped develop the creative approach from its inception in order to tell a story that would not only be resonant with a general audience, but would be reflective of his and David's true experiences. The result is an emotional celebration of David's life crafted with authenticity and pillared on resilience and empathy. 

“This is an opportunity to bring my own story to the forefront for the benefit of the film. The nuance and detail I can help bring to this story is important if we truly want the viewer to connect with David on a deeper, more human level."

- Britton Caillouette

In addition to the spot, David and Britton shared a candid conversation on their experiences and the importance and power found in sharing the stories of people with disabilities.