Episode 07 -Disability From A Kid’s Perspective
In this mini-episode, Declan and Liam share what it is like to have a cousin with Rett syndrome, from communicating through eye gaze to creating tools with a 3D printer and finding familiar lessons in a book they read at school. Their perspective is a simple reminder that disability may change how someone participates, but not the need to play, connect, and belong.
EPISODE SUMMARY
Sometimes the clearest lessons about disability come from kids. In this mini-episode, Declan and Liam talk about their cousin Ava, who has Rett syndrome and uses a Tobii eye-gaze device to communicate. They describe her as a cousin first: someone who understands, laughs, participates, and has plenty to say even when speech is not how she says it.
The boys share the practical ways their family makes participation possible, including using a 3D printer to create tools for Ava and adapting activities so she can join in. Their perspective shifts the question from whether someone can participate to what creativity, equipment, or support would make participation work.
They also connect what they know about Ava to a book read at school featuring a nonspeaking character whose intelligence is underestimated. That connection shows why disability-inclusive books, movies, and shows matter: they give children language, context, and a familiar place to begin asking questions.
Near the end, Declan says, "Just because they're different doesn't mean they're different." His wording is simple, but the point is clear. Disability can change how someone moves, communicates, or joins an activity without changing the need for friendship, play, dignity, and belonging. The episode is paired with a companion article featuring disability-inclusive books and movies organized by age.
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