When Kimberly Leiker rolls onto a film set, she isn’t thinking about the wheelchair beneath her. She’s thinking about the opportunities that lie ahead.

Whether helping organize a production, appearing on camera, or serving as a co-producer, Leiker’s approach to filmmaking is ‘where can I help?’ And that approach works, yielding opportunities at every turn. On the set of Pool House recently, she spent the day preparing for a role as an extra while celebrating a new milestone behind the scenes.

“I’m really happy to be working with everyone and just being a part of the project,” Leiker explained to Vanguard Culture. Pausing for a moment to reflect on her new title as co-producer on the project, she adds “I hope everyone will be proud of me because I got a co-producer credit.”

Leiker lives with cerebral palsy and spinal issues, but she says neither has defined what she is capable of accomplishing. “I’ve had spine problems and cerebral palsy, but my disability acts more like a spinal injury,” she explains. “I just don’t let it stop me. I do whatever I want to do, try whatever I want to try.”

That attitude has contributed to bountiful life-opportunities that have included surfing (through the Life Rolls On program), skiing, participating in adaptive fashion shows and, increasingly, onto independent film sets throughout San Diego. And her advocacy goes beyond her own career. She wants more people with disabilities represented throughout entertainment.

“They wanted to get more disabled people in film and acting and modeling,” Leiker said of the encouragement she received from longtime collaborators. “That’s what I wanted to do too.”

She believes authentic representation benefits everyone. “I think that disabled people have spoken,” she said. “We will become a part of fashion and beauty.” She adds:  “Everyone deserves to feel beautiful, whether you’re in a wheelchair, you have cancer, you have heart disease, everyone deserves to feel beautiful.”

Long before stepping onto film sets, Leiker was building a résumé rooted in community service, modeling and public appearances. She has served as a blood bank ambassador, participated in fashion shows, interviewed film community members and remained active with organizations supporting people with disabilities. Her interest in media also runs deep.

“My dad owned Platt College for many, many years,” she said. “My uncle owns an advertising agency, so I’ve always been interested in the media.” But among all of her interests, she hopes to continue expanding her work in both modeling and acting.

“I would just like to get more sponsors for fashion and modeling – maybe do some extra work and acting and things like that,” she said. “Just be more present in films.”

Those ambitions have found a home within San Diego’s collaborative independent film community. Her current project, Pool House, reunites her with filmmaker Ted Holmes after the pair previously worked together on Turn and Burn. Holmes said the professional relationship continued naturally as new productions developed.

“Me and Kim have maintained a relationship after she was in the pilot for Turn and Burn,” Holmes said during a short break on set. “She was gracious enough to let us use her space for this show.” 

Beyond the opportunities it generates, Leiker said she enjoys contributing wherever she can, whether helping organize a production, appearing in front of the camera or taking on producing responsibilities. As co-producer of Pool House, her role is hands-on. “I kind of got the room set up and everything,” she said. “I’m really excited about it and I hope it goes really well.”

Despite its early stage, Leiker believes the project has potential. A relationship drama centered on a young couple living in a pool house, the story begins to heat up when the  girlfriend begins an affair with the wealthy landlord. 

“It’s about summertime and fun, girls and boys and relationships, and breaking up or making up,” Leikert summarizes. Holmes adds: “It’s a case where she realizes, hey, the grass isn’t greener, and she gets a reality check while chasing what she thinks will make her happy.”

As for filmmaking in San Diego, Leiker sees San Diego’s independent filmmaking scene as a place where opportunity continues to grow.

“I think that film in San Diego is a real positive thing,” she said. “I think we are definitely showing that San Diego is on the map, and it’s an up-and-coming place for film.” She believes the region offers filmmakers everything from diverse locations to an increasingly connected creative community.

“We have beautiful beaches,” she said. “If they want to get away from the traffic in L.A., they can always come down here and shoot for a little bit.”

As for her own future, Leiker hopes her career continues to evolve while helping open doors for others. “I’ve wanted to do modeling and acting my whole life,” she said. “I just want to be a very good role model.”

And, she also hopes to tell her own story one day.

“I have a really good story,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for a long time to get my story out there. I would like to have a story written about me or possibly a movie.”

For now, she’s content doing what first brought her to the set: working with fellow filmmakers, embracing new opportunities and proving that talent – not limitations – is what deserves the spotlight.