Posted on January 5, 2026
Dave starred in a documentary, Thriving Together, The Power of Inclusion, that explored the lives of people with disabilities.
Dave Peak has always wanted to be on TV. With the ability to “cry on a dime,” he hopes to someday audition and land roles in soap operas like General Hospital and Days of Our Lives.
Dave takes a selfie with Susan Wagner, his DSP who supported him throughout the filming process.
When Danielle Gattine, Penn-Mar’s Supports Administrator in Westminster, approached him about being in a documentary highlighting the lives of people with disabilities, his short answer was, “yes ma’am!”
Dave has Cerebral Palsy (CP), a neurological condition that affects his movement and posture. For the past three years, he has lived independently with the support of Westminster Senior DSP, Susan Wagner.
“Susan is like the sister I never had,” he said. “She gave me the support and confidence to appear in the documentary.”
Susan recalled that when she first started working with Dave, he told her he wanted to get stronger because his main goal was to never need a wheelchair.
“When I asked him what he intended to do about it, he agreed to try walking on a regular basis to build up his leg strength. From there, I connected Dave with a physical therapist who is experienced in working with people with disabilities. Soon, he was in Occupational Therapy, training at the gym, practicing walking with support rails, and improving his eating habits.”
Dave trains hard at the gym.
Dave relies on the support of a cane and his “magic” leg braces, and focuses on what he can do, not what holds him back.
“I’m 50 years old and thriving. I’ll keep going until I can’t go anymore,” he said. “I have stuff to do and people to see and help, so I can’t just sit around.”
One of the people he helps is his widowed mother, Bunny. She was the impetus behind his desire to improve his health and wellness. Dave will regularly stay at her home to help with laundry and wash dishes. More recently, he was there to call 911when his mother had a medical emergency.
Small wonder that Dave’s story, along with three other stories of courageous people with IDD, was featured in a 60-minute documentary entitled, Thriving Together, The Power of Inclusion.
Produced by The Community Media Center of Carroll County (CMC) in collaboration with Penn-Mar Human Services, The Arc Carroll County, Target Community & Educational Services, Inc., and Bello Machre, the documentary features four people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and highlights their experiences with independence and community support.
Dave thoroughly enjoyed the filming process that followed him on his health and wellness journey, showing him cooking, walking, and going to the gym.
“The crew was awesome,” he said. “I just went with the flow.”
Dave waves to a crowd of supporters and “paparazzi” as he walks in from the limo on the red carpet.
Little did Dave know; the best was still yet to come, as he arrived by limousine to the documentary premiere on December 2 at the Carroll Arts Center.
“It was thrilling and very emotional to be greeted by a crowd of supporters and ‘paparazzi,’” he said. “I was thinking about my late brother and dad and so happy my mother could be there with me just one week after she was discharged from the hospital. I felt like the wrestler Rick Flair, styling and profiling in a limo!”
Over 200 people attended the sold-out premiere, including “family galore” from Dave’s side. His aunts and uncles traveled from out-of-state to be there along with many of his nieces and nephews. At the conclusion of the film, they were bursting with pride, applauding his acceptance of an “Oscar” from Danielle, the very person who had the foresight to know how compelling his story would be.
Dave poses with his “Oscar” award that Danielle gave him after the premiere.
Dave is eager to do another documentary and hopes his participation in the film will inspire others with disabilities.
“If I can do it, anybody can,” he said. “I have some days when I don’t want to get up but I have to, so I get ready, put Holy Water on my knees and hips and go!”
The momentum will continue for Dave — in March, he will be an honored guest at Penn-Mar’s 34th Annual Gala.
“2025 was definitely a perfecto year,” Dave said. “It’s like I stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam!”