The King visited Penn yesterday, exposing the true meaning of the word "gimp." As the documentary King Gimp says, "Gimp" can mean "lame walk" or "fighting spirit, and Dan Keplinger, a victim of cerebral palsy, has proven himself the latter.
In the Amado Recital Hall of Irvine Hall, Keplinger's film King Gimp was screened before students of the School of Social Policy and Practice and other members of the community. The event was part of SP2's Social Work Awareness Month celebration.
Keplinger, an accomplished artist, both wrote and is the focus of the documentary, which won the Academy Award for Best Short Subject Documentary in 2000. The film follows Keplinger's struggle with cerebral palsy from birth to adulthood.
The documentary shows Keplinger's development as an artist. He began his education at a school for disabled children, but he went on to graduate from mainstream high school and Towson University. It took Keplinger seven years to obtain his Masters in Fine Arts degree.
Jenna Mehnert, executive director of the National Association of Social Works' Pennsylvania Chapter, opened the event. She spoke about NASW's role in promoting "sound social policy" and the importance of social work.
The documentary reinforced that message, demonstrating the difficulties and triumphs of Keplinger's life.
The movie shows Keplinger using a "head stick" -- an appendage attached to a strap that he wears on his head while painting - to paint with precision and finesse. He is an acclaimed artist, and his pieces are available at the Phillis Kind Gallery in New York City.
After the screening, Keplinger and his fiancee, Dena Williams, addressed the crowd and held a question-and-answer session.
Williams commended social workers for their services and spoke about the fallibility of laws that diminish health care for married persons with disabilities. The couple is getting married in five days.
Keplinger spoke through his fiancee's translation about the importance of educating society on people with disabilities.
"I like to explain my situation," he said. "I feel like people see me but they don't know what the hell I am because they automatically think I am mentally-challenged because of the way I move."
Cannon Jones, an SP2 Master's student, heard about the event through the school. She said she thought the presentation was "powerful."
"These events open eyes to a part of society that we do not fully embrace," she added.
