Kids Like These

I saw this film on UK TV this afternoon. It was a rather okay film.

But the final scene had me laughing non-stop.

The story is about a mother's coming to grips with the disappointment of having a child with Down's Syndrome. Heartwrenching stuff.

But, while giving an acceptance speech for "Woman of the Year" she launches into something like the following...

"Having a child with Down's Syndrome is like going to the airport and getting on a flight to Italy. Then, when the plane lands they say 'Welcome to Holland'. Hold on, I booked a flight to Italy NOT Holland... But even though I suffered the disappointment of not being in Italy, I was in Holland. Holland has windmills and wooden shoes." There was no way out after that. There was nothing she could say after that which would recommend Holland over Italy.

It ends with the family deciding to go out for pizza. I wondered if they got a pizza with Edam or Gouda cheese on it.

So, I guess, Holland is the Down's Syndrome of EU countries. Hilarious.

While the earlier reviewer is correct in that this made-for-TV movie lacks a certain amount of depth, it is still a very lovely and hopeful look at the problems and rewards of raising a child with Down's Syndrome. The screenplay, written by Emily Perl Kingsley, is a largely autobiographical account of the experiences she and her husband had raising their son. Perhaps the most touching moment of the film is when Tyne Daly, speaking to a group about Down's children, reads Ms. Kingley's seminal "Welcome to Holland" essay.

There were many wonderful performances in the movie, most notably Ms. Daly and Richard Crenna. While this film doesn't dwell on the myriad problems facing those who care for the mentally-impaired, I think it does present the ways in which love and faith can make wonderful things arise out of the most tragic circumstances. And I don't think you can ask more of a movie-of-the week.

At least one organization consisting of parents of special needs children, who (the parents) had been spearheading programs, activities and educational events for many years, had been anticipating watching this production under the notion that "finally, our experiences will be told."

Well, on the evening of November 04, 1987, the CBS Sunday Night Movie premiers "Kids Like These," to enact the story of a 40-ish couple who decide to welcome a child diagnosed with Down's Syndrome after being advised by medical authorities against carrying the child full term. The mother (Tyne Daly) eventually becomes an activist...but just about everything proceeds very easily for her, (the operative word: easily) and everything which she "touches turns to gold" as it were, culminating with her acceptance speech for receiving her community's "Woman of the Year" award.

And everyone in the audience with any comments about "Kids Like These" would say similar remarks, to the effect of "This movie resembles nothing about anything which parents of special needs children face and endure and struggle to accomplish."

While the premise of this film may begin with honorable intentions, with the message of "keep the baby," it disappoints those whom it purports to honor, parents and caregivers of special needs children, who maintain that the child is, indeed, a blessing and so (parents, guardians and other caregivers) adapt to necessary accommodations to nurture the child and to offer the child a sense of love and community.

But this film follows that often-told Hollywood "Rags to Riches" framework of sorts, with pleasant results occurring very quickly and easily, which may well work in an actress wannabee story or a hackneyed political underdog campaign tale, yet not in the realm of rearing a special needs child because positive consequences of community activism just don't happen all too easily and certainly not overnight.

Still, it has its pluses: familiar co-stars Richard Crenna, Ja'net DuBois and Martin Balsam add their capable draw, and the message that a special needs child is a blessing to welcome and to cherish underlines its plot.

But rearing a special needs child isn't about a glory-seeking, publicity-seeking, award-winning caregiver, yet about the dear innocent individual with unconditional love to offer, and a distinct need for extra caring.

I found this to be an informative film that at times reduced me to tears as I felt the frustration of both parties who were living on different planets and could not communicate. I don't have a child with downs but I have a friend who does and I can't begin to imagine her life however I do think that this film must resonate with those that do. Of course its not true to life as these films never are but it is about having expectations and then perhaps having to temper those expectations and still loving your child whilst being tired and grumpy and jealous that your life is not like your friends. in all i think it should be required watching to get an understanding of parents not their children.

I was disappointed to see that the only review of this movie was a poor one. I thought, "Kids Like These" was a great movie. I have a brother with Down's Syndrome and it not only moved me, but inspired me. It was amazing to see the effort Tyne Daly's character(modeled after Emily Pearl Kingsley, writer on Sesame Street) put into teaching and advocating for her son. It was also an important story to tell. Before Emily Pearl Kingsley advocated for her son and others with developmental disabilities to be on Sesame Street, individuals with special needs were not visible on television. This was an enormous step in raising society's consciousness about those with special needs. I saw it in health class and it changed the perceptions of many of my peers in high school. So, I would encourage people to see this movie. It is one of the few movies which feature actors with Down Syndrome & tells a real story (without leaving out the many challenges that come with raising a child with Down Syndrome) and leaves you inspired.