Actor, filmmaker, and disability advocate Dashiell Meier talks about 21 Down, health equity, disability pride, and why our differences make us stronger.

Hollywood dreams. Disability pride. Authentic representation.

What happens when an actor and filmmaker with Down syndrome decides he wants to become one of the greatest filmmakers in the world?

For Dashiell Meier, that’s not just a dream. It’s a mission.

In this episode of Pushing Forward with Alycia, host Alycia Anderson welcomes actor, filmmaker, and disability advocate Dashiell Meier for an uplifting conversation about representation in entertainment, disability health equity, and the importance of telling our own stories.

Recorded during Down Syndrome Awareness Month, this conversation celebrates creativity, ambition, and the power of a community that believes in one another.

From Hollywood Dreams to 21 Down

Dashiell is stepping into the spotlight with his role portraying Caden Cox in the upcoming feature film 21 Down, alongside actress Ashley Judd.

The film tells the story of Caden Cox, a college football player with Down syndrome who made history as a kicker.

For Dashiell, landing the role was a dream come true. He shares how Ashley Judd wanted to work with him, how he spent two months filming in Atlanta, and how the production opened doors to learn about the many creative roles behind the camera.

One particularly meaningful experience was getting the opportunity to direct the final scene of production and observe the film editing process.

His next big ambition? Becoming a director at Pixar.

Creating His Own Stories Through Film

Dashiell isn’t waiting for Hollywood to tell him which stories deserve to be shared.

Through the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, he created Day 21, a five-minute post-apocalyptic thriller imagining a world where only people with Down syndrome remain.

The film features actors including Sofia Sanchez and Zack Gottsagen and reflects Dashiell’s commitment to authentic representation.

For Dashiell, filmmaking and advocacy go hand in hand. His creative work is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes, celebrate the Down syndrome community, and show audiences the complexity and humanity of disabled people.

Not Just Down Syndrome: Why Health Equity Matters

One of the most important moments in this episode comes when Dashiell discusses diagnostic overshadowing.

Diagnostic overshadowing occurs when a person’s symptoms are incorrectly attributed to an existing disability or diagnosis, potentially causing other medical conditions to be overlooked.

Dashiell shares a deeply personal experience from childhood when his family’s concerns about his hearing were repeatedly dismissed as part of his Down syndrome diagnosis.

Eventually, doctors discovered tumors affecting his ears.

That experience helped shape his advocacy for disability health equity.

He has spoken at the United Nations about these issues and engaged with medical education at Stanford, encouraging future healthcare professionals to see disabled patients as whole individuals.

Alycia connects this experience to her own journey navigating healthcare as a wheelchair user, emphasizing that disability should never become a reason to dismiss someone’s symptoms.

Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Disability Pride

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the lives, contributions, identities, and achievements of people with Down syndrome.

For Dashiell, the month represents an opportunity to celebrate his community and challenge misunderstandings about disability.

He believes that differences can strengthen communities and that authentic inclusion begins when people recognize one another’s humanity.

Throughout the conversation, Dashiell emphasizes belonging, creativity, respect, and the importance of supporting one another.

Worthy: A History of Down Syndrome

Dashiell also shares an exciting project currently in production: his first feature-length documentary, Worthy: A History of Down Syndrome.

The documentary explores the history of Down syndrome and asks why society has sometimes perceived the condition negatively when Dashiell experiences his identity as something valuable.

His research has taken him to the National Archives and Library of Congress, where he has explored historical records and encountered gaps in how disability history has been documented.

His goal is to bring overlooked stories into the present and use history to help build a more inclusive future.

Key Takeaways

• Representation changes possibilities. Disabled actors and filmmakers deserve opportunities both in front of and behind the camera.
• Our stories belong to us. Authentic storytelling gives disabled creators the power to shape how their communities are represented.
• Healthcare must look beyond disability labels. Diagnostic overshadowing can delay appropriate care and undermine patient dignity.
• Community creates change. Collective advocacy can accomplish what individuals cannot always achieve alone.
• Dreams deserve opportunity. Mentorship, access, and meaningful professional experiences can help open doors to new careers.
• Disability history matters. Understanding the past helps challenge stereotypes and shape a more inclusive future.

Watch this Episode on YouTube

00:00:00 Welcome to Pushing Forward with Alycia
00:01:00 Meet Dashiell Meier
00:02:15 Creativity, confidence and big dreams
00:04:35 The Down syndrome community and belonging
00:06:10 Starring in 21 Down with Ashley Judd
00:08:30 Behind the scenes and learning to direct
00:10:20 The dream of working at Pixar
00:12:30 Creating Day 21 and disability-led films
00:16:20 Speaking at the United Nations
00:16:55 Diagnostic overshadowing and health equity
00:20:40 Celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month
00:23:10 Big dreams and future filmmaking goals
00:24:15 Worthy: A History of Down Syndrome
00:26:20 Connecting with Dashiell
00:27:40 Pushing Forward Moment

Connect With Dashiell Meier

🌐 WEBSITE https://dashiellmeier.com

📸 INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/dashiellmeier

💼 LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/dashiellmeier

🎥 YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCd1T2x4i0-gk8-C1iXrou_A

💙 FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/dashiell.meier

✨ Follow Dashiell, explore his films, and help amplify the voices changing how the world sees disability!

Keep Pushing Forward With Alycia

🎙️ Explore the Pushing Forward with Alycia Podcast

🎤 Watch Alycia’s TEDx Talk: Disabling Ableism

🌐 Discover Alycia’s Speaking, Training, and Accessibility Work

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