Behind the Scenes: Wheelchair 'Help'

Feb. 22, 2011 — -- Her submission was one of nearly 12,000, but her personal story left a lasting impression.

"I loved your feature on handicapped parking and would love to do something else on disabilities," was how Amy Saffell, of Franklin, Tenn., began her submission.

Using her idea, we set up a scene where a disabled shopper is met by a well-intentioned woman whose excessive acts of kindness border on harassment. It is a scenario that resonated with Amy since she, herself, has been bound to a wheelchair since birth.

CLICK HERE to read more about Amy.

When we selected Amy's idea from the "How Would You Do It?" contest entries, we decided to hire Shannon DeVido, the same actress from a past WWYD scenario, in which Shannon played a woman who lost out on a handicapped parking spot because a non-disabled person had taken it.

We flew Amy and her mother to New York City to experience a "What Would You Do?" shoot from start to finish. While on set, she got a chance to chat with Shannon.

"I really identified with you as a woman who was ready to enjoy life," Amy told her. "It is something that I pride myself on too; that I want to be out there and be in regular society and do things and just be a really independent person."

"One of the biggest issues that I face is attitude," Amy said. "People often pity me, petting on my head in public. I am a grown woman with a college degree. What are people thinking? My life is actually pretty great, and I wish that they knew that."

In our short time with Amy, we learned that she currently works for a Nashville record label, EMI; coaches a wheelchair basketball team; and enjoys waterskiing among other activities. She is also Miss Wheelchair Tennessee 2007.

"That's what I try to let people see, that I'm just a normal person," Amy said. "I get around a little differently, but that's really all it is."