Imagine a world where physical limitations don’t define your ability to conquer mountains, rivers, or even your own backyard. That’s the powerful message at the heart of ADAPTED, a groundbreaking documentary set to premiere at the Durango Independent Film Festival next week. Directed by Durango native Paul Bikis, this film isn’t just a story—it’s a movement. But here’s where it gets controversial: ADAPTED challenges us to rethink what’s possible, not just for athletes with disabilities, but for anyone who’s ever felt held back by circumstance. Is it inspiring? Absolutely. But it’s also a call to action, and that’s the part most people miss.
Bikis, a 2012 graduate of Durango High School, has always had a knack for storytelling. From his early days crafting ski and bike films in middle school to his journalism studies at Western Washington University, his passion for filmmaking was undeniable. But it was his experience caring for his mother, who battled Posterior Cortical Atrophy, that truly shaped his perspective. During her final years, Bikis helped his mother rediscover the joy of the outdoors through adaptive sports—an experience that became the foundation for ADAPTED. ‘I realized there are so many people who don’t have great access to the outdoors,’ Bikis reflects. ‘Before my mom, I had never thought about this.’
ADAPTED follows three remarkable individuals: Josh Hancock, Anna Soens, and Danielle Doelling. Each has faced paralysis due to spinal-cord injuries, yet their stories are anything but limiting. Josh leads a custom adaptive raft down Idaho’s Salmon River, Anna aims to become the first paraplegic athlete to summit Mount Baker, and Danielle trains to handcycle 87 miles across Utah’s rugged White Rim Trail. These aren’t just feats of endurance—they’re testaments to the human spirit. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not about overcoming disability; it’s about redefining ability.
But creating ADAPTED wasn’t easy. The film took seven years to complete, with challenges ranging from financing to the logistical nightmare of filming in extreme locations. ‘We spent two years editing over 200 hours of footage into a 90-minute film,’ Bikis explains. ‘It was a labor of love, but also a lesson in perseverance.’ And here’s the controversial question: Why aren’t more stories like this being told? Why does it take a filmmaker like Bikis to shine a light on these achievements?
Bikis hopes ADAPTED will do more than entertain—he wants it to educate and empower. ‘We’re working to change perceptions and foster inclusivity,’ he says. ‘These athletes aren’t doing something extraordinary; they’re living their lives. And that’s what we want audiences to see.’ But here’s where it gets even more thought-provoking: If we normalize these achievements, does it challenge our own excuses? Does it push us to redefine what’s possible in our own lives?
After its Durango premiere, ADAPTED will embark on a two-year screening tour, with Bikis already working on his next project—a documentary about conservation in southern Utah. But first, he’s coming home. ‘Sharing this film in Durango feels meaningful,’ he says. ‘It’s where I grew up, where I learned to tell stories. And now, I get to share one that could change the way we see the world.’
So, here’s the question for you: Do you think films like ADAPTED have the power to shift societal perceptions? Or is it just another inspiring story that fades into the background? Let’s start the conversation in the comments.
ADAPTED screens at 11:30 a.m. on March 5 at the Gaslight (102 E. 5th St.) and 4:30 p.m. on March 7 at the Durango Arts Center (802 East Second Ave.). For tickets and more information, visit Durango Film Festival or ADAPTED The Film. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative journey.
