By Zamourad Iqbal
“Viz-Ability” was held at Radford Studio Center in October, a pop-up gallery event in Studio City featuring a red carpet reception and showcase of the work of disabled cast, crew and filmmakers in the film and TV industries. Among them was Matthew Von Der Ahe, who has Down syndrome and is an actor and activist in the San Fernando Valley who promotes inclusion.
At the age of 7, Von Der Ahe was enrolled in acting classes to socialize, which sparked his interest in the craft. Eventually, his passion for acting led him to auditioning, but he struggled to break into the entertainment industry, where people with disabilities often face challenges.
Despite societal stereotypes, he never gave up and broke through the barriers that questioned his abilities and appearance. Von Der Ahe appeared in the 2023 movie Champions starring as “Craig” alongside actor Woody Harrelson, who played a minor-league basketball coach sentenced to community service for a DUI. Harrelson was ordered to coach a team of basketball players with intellectual disabilities who were getting ready for the Special Olympics. Acting coach A.B. Farrelly was hired to work with the actors with intellectual disabilities on their acting and basketball skills to prepare them for the film.
Von Der Ahe also appeared in the 2023 McDonald’s Super Bowl advertisement with Cardi B, a rapper, songwriter, and actress.
At 16, he faced serious health issues, including open-heart and eye surgery. When he reflected on that time, he knew he could overcome any obstacles in his life. Now at 25, he says, “I can do hard things now that I didn’t think I would be able to overcome, and it’s a pleasure to see the world in a whole different way.”
His mother, Emmy Von Der Ahe, described the most challenging times in their lives, recalling, “When I had Matthew, the doctor told us, in so many words, not to expect too much.”
“I wish that the doctor could see … not just him, but so many other actors with disabilities, what they’re doing, and give more hope,” she said. “Sixteen years later, he needed heart surgery, and the thought that I would lose him was just as scary as when I was first scared about having him. Matthew has made my life so much better. He’s given me a different lens to see the world.”
She says the most challenging part of being an artist with disabilities is the lack of written roles and expectations for artists like Matthew.
“The biggest challenge is knowing that expectations are low, and many people like him are not given the chance,” she said. “Maybe you see him and think, ‘No way he could memorize the script.’ (But) if you give him a script, he will learn it and work on it; he works harder than anybody I know, and he gets there. He shows up prepared. Another challenge is that there aren’t many roles written for people like Matthew.”
Matthew occasionally faces minor difficulties during rehearsals, but that doesn’t slow him down. “I sometimes struggle with improv, like using my hands and such,” he said. “But it doesn’t stop me from being the actor I am today.”
He believes that the best way to provide opportunities for people with disabilities is to reach out, so their representation goes beyond their appearance.
“I think that other people should step out and reach out to people with disabilities,” he said. “Because you never know what comes out of them and know that representation is more than just what they are on the outside. People can benefit more if they get to know us better.”
His mother says Matthew will appear in two upcoming movies including “One Perfect Date,” and “Wish Watch,” which is set to release in January. She says “One Perfect Date,” filmed in Canada, is “a rom-com, and it’s going to be fantastic, and his character is really similar to him. … Also, this summer we filmed Wish Watch. He is one of the main characters in it. He worked six days a week for a month and crazy hours.”
Apart from acting, Matthews enjoys music and owns a stationery business. “I love music and art, and I have a business called Doing My pART,” he said.
Matthew also wrote a short film with his acting coach, A.B. Farrelly, who served as the acting and basketball coach for the lead actors in “Champions.” The short film will be shown at the Film Fest LA and the LA Live Regal Cinema on Saturday, Nov. 8.
“I enjoy writing scripts for fun, and I like to step outside my comfort zone to explore the world,” he said. “I hope my followers can join me on that journey and see my passion for it.”