March 4, 2019
Children's curiosity combined with a view that is still free from prejudice.
Meeting people is a way of getting to know the world. Hearing about the experiences of someone who lives differently from you is a great learning opportunity that broadens your horizons . It is a valuable exercise in thinking, diversifying points of view and empathy that children can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
The “Kids Meet” video series from the American channel HiHo Kids does just that, providing encounters between children and people who live different realities than those the little ones are used to.
Children's curiosity, combined with a view that is still free from prejudice, results in a very frank conversation from which adults can also learn a lot. Check it out!
As the video is in English and has no subtitles, we have included a free translation of the dialogue below so that everyone can follow along in Portuguese.
Justin: How do you drive?
Amin: I drive with my hands
Gabrielle: Ah!
Title: Kids Meet a Guy with Muscular Dystrophy
A: Hi.
C: Hi.
A: My name is Amin.
C: It's a pleasure to meet you, Amin. I'm Crystal.
A: Nice to meet you.
G : Georgia.
A: Georgia, nice to meet you.
D : Desmond.
A: Desmond, [sou] Amin.
A: Do you know why you are here?
J: No…
A: Is there anything you want to ask me?
J: How did you get hurt?
A: Actually I didn't get hurt!
G: Then why are you in a wheelchair?
A: Because I have a muscle condition. I have muscular dystrophy. It causes my muscles to get weaker over time.
C: That sounds really, really, REALLY bad.
A: Ahem.
J: Can you walk?
A: No, I can't walk.
J: How do you get around?
G: Wheelchair.
A: She knows.
A: Do you want to see?
Children: Yes!
A: Are your feet protected?
Children: Yes!
A: I can spin.
G: I want to try it.
A: Do you want to try it? Be careful, you don't want to run over your brother's feet.
G: Yes, I do!
C: Have you ever been bullied for being in a wheelchair?
A: I've never been bullied for being in a wheelchair. But I've been bullied for being too smart.
Vanessa: What's your favorite animal?
A: I love dogs.
Talbot: Dogs are pretty cool.
A: Do you think I would play football well?
J: Could you be a wide receiver? (an offensive position in American football that involves a lot of running)
A: Do you think I would play football well?
G: You can't walk, why would I think so?
A: Hmm, that's a good point.
A: What are you looking at? My hands?
C: They are very long.
T: Are your finger muscles deteriorating too?
Ah yes
V: Would it be difficult to write and type?
A: Yeah, so I can't type anymore. I use a voice recognition program [to write]
V: Oh yeah! That should be helpful.
D: Wow, I want that app!
J: How do you go to the bathroom?
A: Number 1 or number 2?
(children laugh)
A: I get up, pull down my pants, do what I have to do.
D: How do you dress?
A: Like, do you get help from your mom?
D: No.
G: Yes.
D: Not me!
G: That's a total lie.
V: I like your hair.
A: Thank you.
V: It's cool.
G: Can you swim?
A: I can't swim.
G: Could you still play tag?
D : Nooo!
A: I'm not very good at tag, but I can still play.
C: Are you happy?
A: Yes. I can inspire people. I can share my story, share the challenges I faced and how I overcame them.
C: That's very good!
A: Good job! Hit me here. Hit me here.
Director: What did you think of him?
G: It's like talking to a normal person...in a chair with wheels.
J: That's it!
A: Do you like me?
Kids: Yeah
The full season, with over 90 episodes about children's first contact with different stories, is available on YouTube and Facebook .