"EMMA’S
GIFTS" is a film about differences -- how they matter and how they
don’t.
Emma was born with Down syndrome which makes her different from her twin
sister, Abigale. Our expectations are automatically lowered. Yet, in telling
Emma’s story through the eyes of her parents, the film challenges
our perception of difference. Why does the assumption exist that difference
equals deficit - that special needs equals little potential? At age 3,
Emma’s reading ability defies society’s stereotype of low expectations.
Emma is not different. She is an individual full of excitement and curiosity.
She walks through the door of the same pre-school class as her typical
peers. Watch her run and skip on the playground; her classmates have yet
to learn to see her differences. In time they will.
As we experience this family’s journey through the preschool years,
we see the power of advocating for a child’s rights and the importance
of early intervention. As we experience the strategies used to mainstream
Emma in the school environment and witness the grueling process of the
Individual Education Plan meeting, we see that anything is possible - that
everyone benefits from including children with special needs in their community
and educational environments. Ultimately we are encouraged to embrace difference
and never to underestimate the gifts that every individual has to offer.
"EMMA’S GIFTS" is a great resource for parents of children with
special needs and educators who seek information about early intervention
and building
an inclusive classroom setting.
