Lights, cameras, action! Paris Adams, an individual who receives services from Aspire of WNY, was recently recognized as the Self-Advocate of the Month by the American Association of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADM) for his participation in the FRAME film project with Positive Exposure!
Positive Exposure, founded by award-winning photographer and filmmaker Rick Guidotti, is dedicated to reshaping how society views individuals with genetic, physical, behavioral, and intellectual differences. Their work has been featured by regional, national, and international media for its contributions to human rights, medicine, and education.
FRAME, which stands for “Faces Refining the Art of Medical Education,” is a key project of Positive Exposure. It produces short films to train medical professionals on topics often overlooked in traditional medical education. These grant-funded films aim to promote more inclusive care across the medical industry.
In October 2024, Paris participated in a FRAME filming session focused on health disparities affecting aging people of color with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). He was selected as the ideal candidate to share his experience. “I want people to see me as a whole person, not just a prop—a whole individual who knows exactly what they’re talking about. I just tell it like it is and let them know that they have hopes and dreams just like I do,” Paris shares in the short film.
On January 30, 2025, the University at Buffalo’s Dental School hosted a special ceremony to honor Paris’s achievement. Friends, family, and Aspire of WNY staff gathered to celebrate the premiere of his short film. After the screening, Paris was presented with a plaque to honor the Self-Advocate of the Month award. The event included a conference call with Rick Guidotti, founder of Positive Exposure, who congratulated Paris and answered questions from attendees. Rick dialed into this call all the way from New Zealand just to be able to join Paris on this special day!
The celebration continued with a photo session, where guests posed with Paris and his award. A highlight of the photo session was when Dr. Dian, Clinical Assistant Professor at UB, rolled out a red carpet and handed out gold stars to make the photos from this exciting day even more memorable!
“Paris has been such a positive example for others,” said Martha Farewell, Executive VP of Clinical Services at Aspire of WNY. “He approached this opportunity with incredible enthusiasm, and we’re so proud to see him receive the recognition he deserves for sharing his story and raising awareness on such an important topic.”
Congratulations, Paris! Your desire to help raise awareness about health disparities and the importance of inclusion in medical education is truly making an IMPACT, and your self-advocacy and fight for inclusion inspires all of us!
