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Leslie has "wheeled" four blocks from her house to hold a yard sale with her cousin at her cousin's house. Because she has arthritis which flares up occasionally causing her a lot of pain and stiffness, Leslie sometimes uses a wheelchair when traveling distances that would be too far for her to walk. When Leslie gets up to retrieve a flute for Jennifer, Jen is mystified and amazed to see that Leslie is able to walk. At this point Leslie explains about arthritis and helps Jennifer understand more about the condition and more about her soon-to-be best friend. (Leslie, Jennifer)
When Pete meets Leslie she is about to enter the kindergarten class to help out some of the children with a special activity. Pete explains that he's a teacher's aide in several of the classes, including kindergarten, and is surprised to find that Leslie's work with the younger children is a way of providing exercise for her arthritis. Pete also explains that he has arthritis and is surprised to find that his and Leslie's arthritis are not the same. Together they share and discuss what helps them get their jobs done when their joints are painful. (Leslie, Pete)
Jennifer and Leslie are having a hard time thinking of a project for their language arts class. But when Leslie mentions that she uses puppets in therapy, the two girls decide to use puppets for their project. Leslie insists on having Jennifer play "Wendy," the puppet character who has arthritis, so she can "understand better about having arthritis." Together, they stage a show dramatizing some of the misconceptions people have about arthritis. (Leslie, Jennifer)
When Leslie has to stay home because her arthritis hurts too much, the teacher assigns Jennifer to be her "Study Buddy." The Buddy's job is to call up Leslie, give her assignments, and keep her abreast of the class's activities. The next day, however, Jennifer decides to ask about what she feels to be Leslie's unfair advantages. Pete Whetstone, the teacher's aide, explains how arthritis makes those "advantages" necessary, and also show Jennifer how her role as Study Buddy can help Leslie when she has to miss school. (Leslie, Jennifer, Pete)
NOTE: After each script the children ask questions directly to the puppets and the puppet characters themselves answer their questions.
| The Kids on the Block, created in 1977, features life size puppets who, through the magic of live puppet theatre, teach children and adults about disabilities, medical and educational differences, and social concerns. Through the hard work and dedication of many community based groups, The Kids on the Block puppets are able to touch the lives of people all over the world. |