Disability Awareness Topics

Living with Cerebral Palsy
“New Friends”

Suggested Grade Level

1, 2, and 3

Overview

Told from the perspective of a child (Mark Riley) with cerebral palsy, this program teaches kids what it is like to have a disability. The program is informative and upbeat, focusing on how Mark goes about his daily routine with the help of assistive devices. “I’m not ‘confined’ to anything, especially my wheelchair,” says Mark. “My ‘cruiser’ helps me get around.”

Script Scenario

Mark Riley, a 12-year-old with cerebral palsy, just moved to town and is starting at a new school. When Mark meets his friend Melody James for the first time, she is curious about his wheelchair, his helmet, and his speech difference. Mark encourages Melody’s questions, which are followed by open, honest and friendly discussion.

Objectives

• Promote understanding and acceptance of children with cerebral palsy or other disabilities and differences.
• Raise awareness that a person with any kind of disability may have different ways of doing things, but s/he is no different on the inside and deserves respect.
• Acquaint children with different aspects of cerebral palsy, and talk about how wheelchairs and other adaptive devices help people with disabilities live a normal life.
• Stress that friendship transcends physical and other differences.

Format

This 30-minute program consists of a scripted-story puppet presentation, followed by a guided question and answer session. During the Q & A time, the puppets reinforce learning objectives and encourage children to share their questions and concerns. To extend learning and repeat key lessons, all children receive a take-home Kids on the Block bookmark imprinted with the program’s messages, and they are encouraged to write letters or emails to the puppets.

To help Kids on the Block improve our programs, teachers are asked to complete a short program evaluation form.

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