Watches & Reads – Books and shows on our radar right now…
THE REASON I JUMP
Based on the best-selling book, The Reason I Jump, which was written by Naoki Higashida – a 13-year-old non-verbal autistic boy. Naoki gives a gripping and touching insight into his, and five other young people’s, perspectives of the world – at times intense and overwhelming, but also filled with joyful and rich sensory experiences. It has been released on Disney+ in Australia and New Zealand. You can view the trailer here: thereasonijumpfilm.com
SESAME STREET – NEW CHARACTER CHAMPIONING DISABILITY
The world’s most-loved puppets have introduced a new character to champion disability representation. Ameera is an eight-year-old Muppet with a spinal cord injury who uses a wheelchair and crutches to get around. Ameera, who loves science, will feature in Sesame Street episodes around the world including the Middle East and North Africa, as well as in videos for children displaced by conflict and crisis around the world. Ameera is the latest character living with disability to appear on the show – currently there is Ricardo, Rosita’s father who returns from a military deployment using a wheelchair, and Julia, an autistic four-year-old. sesamestreet.org
INCLUDED: THE ALBATROSS NIPPERS STORY
The Albatross Nippers are a small group of nippers with special needs, and this story tells their march towards creating history. Nobby’s Beach Surf Club coach and local physiotherapist, Nick Marshall, set about creating an inclusive environment within the surf club and the greater Gold Coast community. Read about the challenges and triumphs and why Nick was recognised as the 2020 Australian of the Year – Local Hero for Queensland. angusrobertson.com.au
WE’VE GOT THIS – STORIES BY DISABLED PARENTS
How do two parents who are blind take their children to the park? How is a mother with dwarfism treated when she walks her child down the street? How do deaf parents know when their baby cries in the night? We’ve Got This is a collection of experiences by parents living with disabilities, discussing the highs and lows of their parenting journeys, revealing that often, the greatest obstacles lie in other people’s attitudes. booktopia.com.au
Listen! DAD-ABILITY PODCAST – ROB HALE
If you know a dad, or are a dad, this is the podcast for you. Its aim is to support and empower dads of kids with disabilities by encouraging them to be vulnerable, open up and share stories of success, struggle and everything in between. Rob Hale shares his own experiences with mental health in navigating the challenges of being a dad to his autistic son. podcasts.apple.com
