GORHAM — A teenage desire to be on MTV's “Pimp My Ride” show turned into a journey to inspire others to “pimp their lives."

Rapper and documentarian Darius Weems visited Gorham Middle/High School on May 25 to meet students, answer questions about his video “Darius Goes West,” and perform a mini-concert.

Guidance counselor Matt Saladino shows Weems' award-winning documentary to sixth graders every year.

“They watch the video and fall in love with him,” he said. “Then I surprise them with a Skype session.”

Weems has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or DMD, one of nine forms of Muscular Dystrophy and the number one genetic killer of children in the world.

The disease affects muscle function, including lungs and heart, and patients rarely live past their late teens. Weems' brother, Mario, died from the disease at 19.

At age 15, Weems wanted MTV to pimp his ride — his wheelchair. With 11 friends, he set off on a cross-country adventure documented in “Darius Goes West”.

“There are so many messages in the video,” Saladino said. “The easiest one is be happy you're alive — and be part of something. It's also about true, bonding friendship.”

Gorham students were part of Weems' “Believe” tour of 11 states in 25 days to visit 10,000 kids, along with ConVal High School in Peterborough.

Weems' manager Barbara Smalley said they chose Gorham as one of two schools they visited in the state because of interest in Weems' music and story.

“We knew we had a great support group here,” she said.

Before the concert, students asked Weems questions on subjects ranging from his wheelchair to his health.

MTV didn't pimp his wheelchair, but his hometown of Athens, Ga., surprised him with a new one after the cross-country trip.

He told Gorham students he still has it, but equipped with spinning wheels and a video game, “it's hard to travel with.”

Weems is in a year-long clinical trial at John Hopkins in Baltimore. The “Believe” tour ends June 10 with a DVD screening sponsored by his doctors and his last clinical visit.

“I'm doing pretty OK right now,” Weems told students. “I'll know better when I go back to the doctor. We'll see if I'll live longer.”

After the question session, students clapped and sang along as Weems performed three songs from his album released this spring by New South Entertainment.

Student Erik Dow said the video was overwhelming — and inspiring. “He's so happy, so full of life — that's why I love him and why everyone loves him.”

The documentary won 28 awards and led to forming a nonprofit to raise awareness and funds for DMD research — $2 million so far. The nonprofit also offers free DVDs with lesson plans to educators.

The Gorham visit raised about $700 and included filming portions of a music video on Mount Washington.

At the beginning of the documentary, Weems is asked, “Can you fight this?” “I think so,” he said. “I think I can take it.”

At 22, he's defying the odds.