PUPPET TO MAKE “DEBUT” AT ANNUAL BRAIN INJURY EVENT
New “Kid on the Block” Premieres


Crystal City, VA (March 16, 2002) – “Justin Campbell,” the newest member of the internationally known Kids on the Block puppet troupe, will meet the world at the Brain Injury Association of America’s annual public policy conference.  Justin and his friends and fellow puppet characters Shaun and Melody James (with the help of The Kids on the Block, Inc.’s puppeteers) will perform for an audience of brain injury survivors, their families, and brain injury advocates.  This special performance at the Crystal City, VA Doubletree hotel will be the premiere presentation of The Kids on the Block, Inc.’s Program on Brain Injury.

This new program was designed to educate children about brain injury and brain injury prevention.  Through fourteen year old Justin, who acquired a brain injury in an automobile crash, elementary school aged children will learn about some of the cognitive and emotional changes frequently experienced by people with acquired brain injuries.  They will also learn how Justin’s brain injury affects his life and his friendships.  The prevention component of the program teaches children about brain health and brain injury prevention techniques.
      
The premiere on March 16 represents the culmination of more than a year’s work of  researching, developing, writing, and field testing the educational puppet program.  The Kids on the Block, Inc. consulted with brain injury and education experts to ensure that the program on brain injury would be as successful as its 44 other educational puppet curricula.


Media Inquiries:
Sara Qureshi (410)290-9095

The Kids on the Block, Inc. is an educational puppet company which uses live puppet theatre to educate children about sensitive topics, including disability awareness.  Over 1,600 associate troupes use curricula developed by The Kids on the Block, Inc. to deliver messages of sensitivity, acceptance, an responsible decision making to children around the world.