Jules and Mae have lately been obsessed with the bald-headed, four-year old cartoon entity otherwise known as Caillou. They want to watch the show over and over and over. (Tivo is a miracle.)  Back when Eddie was a wee lad, he passed through a Caillou phase. It was never my favorite kids show but there were worse, so I saw my fair share of episodes. I’ve been pleased to discover that the newer seasons have done away with the weird Euro-flavored live action segments and are pure cartoon segments beginning to end.

A couple of days ago, I was dressing the girls on the living room floor while they absorbed their morning Caillou fix. I wasn’t really paying attention to the TV, but then Edward said, “I think that boy is supposed to have Down syndrome.”

My head snapped up and I stared at the cartoon. Sure enough, there was a new character, Alan, who did indeed appear to have Down syndrome. My heart leapt! The girls wrestled away from me, half dressed, while I watched. In the segment (featured in the episode “Caillou: Outside”), Caillou helps welcome a new boy at his playschool (daycare for us in the States, eh). The boy wants to do what Caillou and the other kids are doing but needs some extra help. At one point Caillou asks his teacher why, if Alan is a year older than he, can’t he do all the things Caillou can do (like get on the playground toy by himself or eat as neatly during snack time). Their teacher, Miss Martin, explains that Alan might need some extra help or time to do things, that’s all. Caillou thinks about this then replies that he bets there are things Alan can do better than he can. In the end, Caillou has proven himself a caring friend and Alan has proven himself a talented actor.

It was such a great little segment. It warmed me to see it… and to have it be not such a big deal. Here’s a kid with Down syndrome and sure, the differences are noted - as they are - but they are not the whole of the story.

Of course, the underlying story for me was that of Alan’s mother. She is observing the class for the day and at one point almost rises up nervously to intervene. The teacher motions for her to wait and sure enough Alan is soon joining in with the group. In the final scene, as the kids are readying to leave, I could almost feel her exhale in relief. The worry and nervousness walking into the school, then the poignant joy of seeing her child accepted and included… it’s always there under the surface.

Like today when I took Davey for a recheck of his ears. The nurse finished up and left the exam room and before the door closed I heard another nurse say, “Oh you’re so lucky. You got Davey today!”