In January 2019, Carter Murai appeared in an episode of the iconic children’s show “Sesame Street.” The New Hampshire Union Leader reports that Murai, who has Down syndrome, has been acting since he was 17 months old. Murai’s father, Marc Michael Murai, told the Union Leader, “It is so encouraging for us to see people with Down syndrome being represented more and more on television, on film and in print advertising. It is really nice to see that inclusivity.” The family saw Murai’s appearance on “Sesame Street” as another way of championing diversity on a show that has featured many characters with physical differences and disabilities over the years. Show The episode featuring Murai, “Honk If You Love Librarians,” was scheduled to air January 26 on HBO. READ: ‘Beautiful in our own way’: Gymnast with Down syndrome gets modeling deal Now in seventh grade, Murai has had many acting roles over the years, including an appearance in a Care.com ad at age seven. In that television spot, Murai became the first child with Down syndrome to have a spoken line in a national marketing campaign. His mother recalls how he worked with his speech therapist to say the line, “Someone who loves bubbles!” to describe his ideal babysitter. “It was a triumph for you and for the Down syndrome community and was exciting to hear all the praise you received,” she said in an article she wrote for Care.com. “But in the end, it was Carter being Carter, working hard and finding your own path to success.” “Sesame Street” has included several children with Down syndrome and other learning differences over the years, long before much of the media began to do the same. Decades ago, Emily Kingsley, a writer for “Sesame Street,” gave birth to a son with Down syndrome. When her son, Jason, was born, doctors encouraged Kingsley to institutionalize him and “forget” him. She was told he would never be able to learn and would be severely impaired. According to the Jerome Lejeune Foundation: She [Kingsley] kept trying, and Jason learned how to walk, talk, and read – proving the doctors wrong. As a writer for Sesame Street, Emily was in a unique position. She decided to see if Jason could be on the show – and as a result, he became one of the first people with Down syndrome to appear on TV. Jason became a recurring character on Sesame Street, appearing in over 50 episodes and playing an important part in changing cultural perspectives about individuals with Down syndrome. By including Jason and Carter, “Sesame Street” continues to show the world that children with Down syndrome are capable of so much more than was previously thought. However, their accomplishments are not what matter most. The things they accomplish, just like Down syndrome, do not define who they are or determine their worth as human beings. We hope for the day when all children with Down syndrome, born and preborn, are recognized for their full worth as human beings.
July 19, 2018 by JLF USA Team 0 5 When her son Jason was born with Down syndrome over 40 years ago, Emily Kingsley was told that she should send him to an institution and “forget” him. But Emily knew that wasn’t the right choice for her son:
But raising Jason wasn’t without its struggles. At the time, individuals with Down syndrome were not always socially accepted, and there were few resources that Emily and Charles could turn to:
She kept trying, and Jason learned how to walk, talk, and read – proving the doctors wrong. As a writer for Sesame Street, Emily was in a unique position. She decided to see if Jason could be on the show –and as a result, he became one of the first people with Down syndrome to appear on TV. Jason became a recurring character on Sesame Street, appearing in over 50 episodes and playing an important part in changing cultural perspectives about individuals with Down syndrome. Now Jason is a thriving adult and lives independently with two other roommates, who also have Down syndrome – they call themselves the Three Musketeers. He also works in the mailroom of a local business, which he enjoys:
We’re so proud of Emily for choosing to stand up for her son, and for her and Jason’s role in making inroads for individuals with Down syndrome.
Jason Kingsley (born June 27, 1974[1]) is an American actor who was born with Down syndrome. In 1975, Kingsley made his television debut on Sesame Street at 15 months old and appeared in 55 episodes.[2] He also guest-starred in a 1984 episode of The Fall Guy,[3] and episodes of All My Children and Touched by an Angel.[1][4] Kingsley was born to Emily and Charles Kingsley. His mother is a writer for Sesame Street and his father was a painting contractor.[5] Kingsley graduated from Lakeland High School in 1994, and passed all six special education Regents Competency Tests. In June 1997, he graduated from Maplebrook School, a post-secondary school for students with learning disabilities.[6] In 1994, Harcourt Brace published Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome, a book Kingsley co-wrote with friend Mitchell Levitz about their experiences with Down syndrome.[6] Television
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