The “Count Me In” program is designed to dispel fears, myths and misconceptions about people with disabilities and to help children understand more about disabilities. In the show, large, multicultural, full-bodied hand and rod puppets talk about swimming, pizza, baseball, and homework. Information on a variety of disabilities is presented. The goal of the program is to present the puppets as fun, capable children who may have to do some things in a different way than their friends but their interests, feelings, likes and dislikes are the same as everybody else.

Maybe we don't all walk the same, and
Maybe we don't all talk the same
But all people want to say---
COUNT ME IN!
(Theme song)

Meet our Puppet Cast

• Gina

  

  Gina is blind and uses a cane to go almost everywhere. She rides a tandem bike, reads Braille, and enjoys having friends sleep overnight at her house.

• Jay

  

  Jay is deaf/hard of hearing. He wears a hearing aid that helps him hear some sounds. He likes to play games. Jay has learned to talk, and uses sign language and speech reading to communicate. He teaches the students to sign “Happy Birthday”

• Sally

  

  Sally was born with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair for mobility. Her favorite thing to do is swim but she teaches the students that she also can ride a horse at camp and play jump-rope with her classmates.

• Mitch

  

  Reading, Math and following directions is challenging for Mitch. He has a learning disability and needs to be taught some things in a different way than the other kids in his class. Mitch’s favorite sport is baseball. He is the pitcher and captain of his team.

• Carmen

  

  Carmen has epilepsy. She likes to try new things and go new places, and most importantly, help her friends. Carmen’s best friend, Mitch, never knew about her seizures until she didn’t show up for his most important baseball game of the season.

• Corey

  

  Corey, who has Down syndrome, is so excited to be the new baseball team’s equipment manager. Mitch is upset because Corey keeps making mistakes during baseball games. Mitch later learns that Corey can be counted on to do a good job with some help and special friends.