THE CROWD:

A major serving of inspiration accompanied a luncheon last week at Big Canyon Country Club. The Fashionable Women of Chapman University held a “Film Makers Luncheon,” welcoming some 100 guests in support of Chapman University and in particular the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. This was, however, not just another ladies luncheon on the social circuit.

Amid the well-dressed women were four young men who had been invited as the special guests to come and share their story of a life-changing adventure.

The group’s leader was Bonner Paddock, who is the senior manager of corporate partnerships for the Anaheim Ducks. He is also a 30-something man who has been challenged most of his life with cerebral palsy.

In 2008, Paddock mounted a campaign to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and film a documentary of the climb. Simply stated, the goal was to tell the world that disabilities can be tackled and overcome in life.

Pursuing this dream, Paddock approached Bob Bassett, dean of Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

He pitched the filmmaking project as a possible student effort. Bassett and Chapman embraced the pitch and enlisted three young men — Jeff Dolen, Mitch McIntyre and Bassett’s own son Kent Bassett — to join Paddock in the ambitious expedition and documentary project.

Each of the men had a particular field of expertise to contribute. Kent Bassett would direct, Dolen would be the cameraman and McIntyre would supervise the audio for the project. All of them would commit their time and talent without remuneration, and Paddock would go to work to raise the funds necessary to underwrite the expedition. Ultimately, he would raise $250,000 for the project.

Addressing the luncheon crowd following a 5-minute sneak preview of the finished documentary titled “Beyond Limits,” Paddock recounted the harrowing experience including bouts with altitude sickness, temperatures that ranged far below freezing and the physical limitations in his own body resulting from cerebral palsy.

Most importantly, he dealt with a deficiency of muscle strength in his legs that is equal to about 40% of a normal man’s muscle function. On top of this, another effect of the palsy is a lack of equilibrium. Paddock told the crowd that he balances with his eyes.

In spite of these challenges, Paddock and his team made it to the summit of Kilimanjaro on Sept. 8, 2008. The crowd in the Big Canyon dining room applauded, and Paddock presented his climbing team with handsomely framed photographs of them all reaching the summit.

The Big Canyon luncheon setting was arranged courtesy of ardent Chapman supporter Sally Crockett. The menu of field greens, vegetables and chicken served in a unique twist on the Cobb salad delighted the assemblage enjoying the magnificent new Big Canyon clubhouse in a private dining room flooded with light through tall formal windows overlooking the greens of the course.

The platinum blond and super-charged hostess Donna Bunce joined her equally lovely and vivacious co-chair Donna Calvert organizing the inspiring afternoon and welcoming Chapman’s Dean Bob Bassett, Diana Wypich, Kathy Hamilton, Carol Lee, Danute Schenke, and Kim Smith.

Also on hand supporting Chapman University were Linda Beale, Nora Jorgenson Johnson, Pat Allen, Kay Davis, Barbara Eidson, Catherine Emmi, Karen Hardin-Swickard, Mary Roosevelt, Grace Thelen, Linda White-Peters, and the stunning Adrienne Brennan. Bonner Paddock and his team will premiere his documentary at a major event slated for April 26th at Chapman University Film School.

For tickets and information please call Chris Varesi at (949) 333-6412 or go to www.beyond-limits.com.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.