Door to Door: the true story of Bill Porter

Movie released in 2002; video/DVD released in 2003

We meet Bill Porter, a young man battling cerebral palsy, as he goes to a job interview with Watkins to be a door-to-door salesman. With a new suit, encouragement from his mother and a determined gait he enters the interview, only to be denied the position. Undaunted, he demands the worst route available and begins his job as a Watkins salesman.

Throughout the rest of the movie we meet the delightful array of customers that Bill services, the challenges each one faces, and the way Bill becomes far more than their Watkins salesman. He becomes their trusted friend.

Several scenes stand out: the feud between two neighbours over a large evergreen tree (be sure to see what the solution is); the rich lonely woman who serves Bill orange juice that sends him reeling; his assistant who includes him in all her family events . . . the ongoing challenges that Bill faces over his 40 plus years with Watkins and in his personal life as many around him die and his disease becomes more limiting.

This is an amazing story of someone who overcomes a disability and faces the challenges of life with a patience and persistence few of us can lay claim to. The fact that the story is true and sticks so closely to the truth of Bill Porter’s life is one of the reasons I loved the movie and was challenged by it.

I highly recommend this video for families with pre-teen and teenagers to enjoy together!

Sherryl Koop is Youth Ministry Specialist of the Canadian MB Conference.