They kids rocked it at Space Camp!
What were your thoughts on this movie?
Tonight ABC aired the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie “A Smile As Big As The Moon.” The movie is based on a book
My wife and I watched A Smile As Big As The Moon tonight, and I must say it was very touching. Mike (the teacher) seemed like such an great guy, and I can’t tell you how many times my wife and I wanted to scream out, “Go Mike!” as we were watching the movie! I loved how he stood up for the kids, and didn’t let anyone tell them they “couldn’t do it.” I hope that Noah has teachers like Mike Kerjes when he gets in school.
Being that Noah is only 13 months old I still get a little teary eyed seeing older children with Down syndrome….sometimes. I’m not really sure why. I just do.Maybe it’s because I have a hard time thinking about the possibility of kids picking on him one day. Maybe it’s the thought of someone taking advantage of his innocence one day. I have a wild imagination, and sometimes I think of things I never want to hear Noah say. Things like;
“Hey dad this kid at school said he would be my friend if I gave him my iPhone, so I did. Now he is my friend.”
Please Lord, never let that sentence never come out of Noah’s mouth. 🙂
They kids rocked it at Space Camp!
Maybe in the very back of my mind I have this hope that Noah will be the “all star person born with Down syndrome.” That our son will talk, walk, and play just as typical as a typical kid. At 13 months old, we almost forget Noah was born with Down syndrome. Watching movies like this sort of reminds that he does. And it’s ok. 🙂 God’s been in the business of making people for a long time, and He knew just what He was doing when He made Noah. We live in a good story. Not a sad one.
If you have a child with Down syndrome, I’m sure you know what I’m trying to say.
I’m not even sure if I’m making any sense. It’s hard to articulate the emotions that a movie like A Smile As Big As The Moon stirs up within me. I’m thankful for teachers like Mike Kerjes, and so many others who believe in the potential for kids like my son. I’m also encouraged after watching this movie for our son. I know he his capable of doing great things, and I can’t wait to watch the story of his life unfold. I think God has some pretty important things for this little guy to do. 🙂
I also want to say thanks to Hallmark for investing so much in this movie. It was shown commercial free where we live (with the exception of a few Hallmark spots) on prime time. I know that must have cost Hallmark a pretty penny, so thank you Hallmark, as a dad of son born with Down syndrome I really appreciate it. I’m also putting you on my list of organizations-that-are-helping-to-break-the-false-stereotypes-about-children-born-with-special-needs, right next to Target and Nordstrom, so your in good company.
If you are new here, we started this site to show a daily one minute video about our son who was born with Down syndrome. We hope to give the world an inside look at what life is like raising someone like Noah, and in turn will see that Down syndrome is ok. We invite you to sign up to have our posts come directly to your inbox, subscribe via RSS, and join us on Facebook…and most of all we ask that you would help us share our story. We think it’s a story worth sharing.
Did you watch A Smile As Big As The Moon? If so I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on it. Don’t be afraid to be open and honest. 🙂
Also please take a second to leave a comment letting Hallmark know how much you appreciate them investing in movies like this that help the world see that all people are valuable.
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I loved this movie. The hardest part about watching it though was the parts where the kids were being teased. This is my biggest fear for my precious Wyatt. I pray we never have to face that.
@Kayla,
I agree. Same here.
My wife and I talk often about how that is one of the biggest fears we have about the future for Noah. But....I think a lot of that is any parents fear...Down syndrome, or no Down syndrome.
We don't want to think about our kids getting picked on, or teased. Our hope is we can build confidence in Noah, and help him to understand where his true value and worth lie. And leave the rest in the Lord's hands. :)
How old is Wyatt by the way?
One of the things about becoming a parent is that your focus and love is now directed at someone else. The thought of anyone hurting your child no matter what his age makes all the protective emotions kick in. I have two teenage boys who are WASP/Japanese. Their peers can be very cruel in the way that only teenagers can. And they can be cruel in the same way. I try to educate them about empathy and walking in another's shoes. Just tell Noah you love him, he is a child of God, and let him fly. My boys know that the world is cruel. And they know that they are children of God. God will be there in all the good and bad moments, and so will you.
Noah,
I was the Director of Space Camp at the time the "Smile as Big as the Moon" children came. We had to struggle to get permission for them to come. As you can see, it turned out beautifully.
In case you don't already know, Abby, who played the "tattletale" in the movie is a twin to a Down syndrome sister. They are both wonderful, beautiful people.
There are many more back stories about this movie. When you come to Space Camp, I will tell you all of them, since I am now the CEO of the US Space and Rocket Center.
Best,
Deborah Barnhart
I commend you for having been an integral part of this amazing story, as well as the ambition to continue this program for children with such wonderful passion for life! I recently became a mom of a sweet Downs Syndrome angel. Her name is Ruari. My goals so far as her mommy, advocate and chiropractor (besides the constant snuggles and loving doting) is to provide hands on therapies to promote muscle tone, healing energy to bolster immune system intergrity and exercises to encourage proper neurological input to her nervous system. She may have an extra little piece of chromosome 21, but I can help her body function more optimally, thanks epigenetics! I would like to end in saying an enormous Thank You for believing in these amazing individuals and Thank you to Noahs Dad for taking the time to bring daily excerpts for Noahs life into each of our lives! I think the more we strive to bring out the positives in what our angels can offer this society, the more educated the public becomes, and the less likely new moms (and their families) will be initially traumatized by their newborns "special needs". Love and Snuggles! Jenn
Any tv we watch these days is online, so I've got to find a way to get a copy of it. Should have thought to ask someone to DVR it for me!
But I understand the weird emotions that come with seeing older kids and adults with Down syndrome. When our kids are young, the differences aren't very noticeable. I mean, there are typical kids who don't walk at 17 months...no big deal. But the differences seem more apparent as time goes on. Even a difference like naivety and ultimate trust--a good thing, but something that reminds us that our kids aren't typical.
But, if it makes you feel any better, I have those thoughts about my firstborn, too. He's 3 and very precocious. Yet he'll follow anyone, and doesn't understand it when an older kid makes fun of him. Those moments give me the same feeling of uneasiness. So maybe it's just a parent thing.
Yah, I think you are right....it's probably just a parent thing.
Thanks for sharing with me about your first born, Noah's our first and only son (at least for now) so we are learning a lot of this as we go. :)
I have the exact same concerns that you have with Noah with my daughter Bella (20 months). Even though I love her to the moon and back (pun intended - haha) I can't help but worry about the future and how others might see her and/or take advantage of her and the almost certain difficulties she will face in life. Living in the moment with her is easy b/c she is super high functioning and the sweetest child i have ever been around, but thinking about the future can get overwhelming if I let it. Thankfully, like you, I am a Christian and know that God is on our side and that "all things work together for good". And it's like the verse above her crib says (which I selected and stenciled before she was born and before I knew she would have DS) - "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made". I do and she is!!!!! Thank you for helping educate so many that DS is truly a blessing merely sometimes unfairly disguised as a curse!
@Melissa,
It sounds like you are doing a great job at brining your child up understanding where her worth and value are found, so great job!
I'm thankful to have so many parents like you to travel this journey with. It will be fun watching each others children grow up. :)
What an awesome movie!!! I watched it with my Mom and we laughed and cried!! Nothing is Impossible!!!!!! I just wished that our children could have teachers so dedicated! Peter is in a great school (public school) and last year he had an awesome teacher who has Asbergers! She was amazing with our kids. She got pregnant and they surplused her to another school. The resource teacher he has this year has a lot to be desired but it is because she has to many children of different ages to teach. I thank God for his Paraprofessionals that actually are teaching him with the cirriculum given by the teacher. It killed me when the teenager called him a mongoul!!! I also am scared for the day that someone makes fun of my child. I have already had to say something to an adult in a store who kept staring at Peter and mummbling to her husband. I asked if I could help them and if they had anythig that they needed to ask ask me . We are or should I say our children are going to face. I sometimes sit in my bed and stare at my son while he sleeps, I wonder what the future will bring for him and all of ur children!
I agree this movies was very engouraging that our extra special children can achieve things we could not even imagine. My son is 15 months old and I can not wait to see what he will accomplish as he grows up. Out of all 4 of my children I have to honestly say he has taught me the most and brought the most joy in my life (it could just be that he is not into eveything yet). I am so greatful there are people out there willing to stand up for them.
@Melisa,
Thanks for sharing!
How old are your other children if you don't mind me asking. I think of all the hard work it is just to keep up with our one son (Noah) I couldn't imagine how hard it must be to have four.
(Although my mother had 4 boys....and we were a handful!)
LOVE the movie!!
I think you might also be surprised at the responce of other children when Noah gets to school- I work in a public school in kindergarten and we have a down syndrome little girl that spends half of her day with us and she has a huge circle of friends - they all LOVE her!!
I completely agree with Dana! I've been working in preschool for 12+ years with children with special needs and it is so pure to see the compassion that other children have for their peers. So, allow Noah to make some good friends early on in an integrated program, and those good buddies will be there for him throughout his years. Face it, with his laugh and smile and what seems to be a good disposition (or is that all in the editing, lol)that little boy is bound to have a LOT of friends! Just like the song says..."I get by with a little help fom my friends..."
@deanne,
Nope. No editing. That face is just as bright in person as it is on his videos.
Thanks for the kind and encouraging words. We hang on tightly to comments like the ones you and Dana made.
You sound awesome, and I hope Noah ends up with great preschool teachers like you. :)
@Dana,
So awesome to hear! Thanks for sharing that. We hope Noah develops some great friendships once he gets into school.
"God’s been in the business of making people for a long time, and He knew just what He was doing when He made Noah." I love this thought, and I am so glad for Noah that he has parents who recognise this beautiful truth. God didn't make any mistakes when He created Noah. Noah is exactly as God intended him to be, and God is going to use Noah's life to make this world a brighter and better place.
@Melinda,
Thanks so much! We are well aware of how skilled God is at what He does. He's been doing what he does for a long time. :)
We wouldn't change one chromosome on our little guy!
Do you have any children?
Great Movie! Loved it! We also have a son with Down Syndrome and get apprehensive about him going to school but we were encouraged by this movie and hope God puts the right people in his life to help keep him innocent and pure.......like the teacher in "A smile as big as the moon". Thank you Hallmark for making a great family friendly movie!
Thanks for sharing! How old is your son?
Our Noah is 13 months now. We are having a blast, and learning every day.
Feel free to post a picture of him in our Facebook group if you'd like -----> http://facebook.com/noahsdadcom
It was heartbreaking, inspiring then uplifting. I loved it. Not at all sappy. Just what I needed after this past week.
Good to hear, thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad you liked the movie. I just worked as the Craft Service Lead on the stuff shot in Alabama, but it was such a pleasure to see that they hired actors to play the special needs kids that actually did have special needs, and those that didn't, played their characters with respect and didn't refer to stereotypes. They all did such a great job being ambassadors for those with special needs and showed that they could blow up the big screen/small screen just as well as, if not more so, than anybody else!
Wow so cool to hear from you! So do you live in Alabama?
I saw your website and it looks like you've done some really great stuff. What do you hope to do long term?
Also what scenes where actually shot in Alabama?
Thanks for leaving your comment! :)
Yep, I'm originally from AL, but I've been in Richmond, VA for the past few years for school. Long term, I would love to be a Casting Director or 1st Assistant Director, but really I just go where the jobs are, haha!
Pretty much everything that was at the Space and Rocket Center was actually shot there, with the exception of the scene where the character Lewis breaks down while designing the flight patch. All the school stuff, burger shop stuff, Ben's house, football shots, and pretty much everything in the first half of the film was filmed in Wilmington, NC.