1 00:00:05,005 --> 00:00:06,005 [static crackles] 2 00:00:06,089 --> 00:00:08,629 [man] This is probably one of the most famous birds in the country, 3 00:00:08,717 --> 00:00:10,387 the original bird from Sesame Street. 4 00:00:10,469 --> 00:00:13,389 - Hi there. Welcome to Dallas. - Hey, hi. How are you, Dallas? 5 00:00:13,472 --> 00:00:16,852 -Hi there. Want a lift? -Oh, no, thanks. 6 00:00:16,934 --> 00:00:21,774 I'm on my way to New York City to try to break into public television. 7 00:00:22,147 --> 00:00:24,267 -Ah. -Big Bird, how do you feel? 8 00:00:24,733 --> 00:00:28,243 -Well, I'm happy to be me! -[man chuckles] 9 00:00:32,698 --> 00:00:36,368 Wow! Are all of these letters for me? 10 00:00:36,453 --> 00:00:39,163 They sure are. See? "Big Bird, Sesame Street." 11 00:00:39,248 --> 00:00:41,878 "Big Bird, Sesame Street." "Big Bird, Sesame Street." 12 00:00:42,334 --> 00:00:44,424 Who could all these letters be from? 13 00:00:44,503 --> 00:00:47,553 Oh, well, why doesn't Big Bird open them and see? 14 00:00:47,631 --> 00:00:49,261 -Good idea, Elmo. -Thank you. 15 00:00:49,341 --> 00:00:51,341 [man interviewing] You remember when Grover brought you a big bag of letters? 16 00:00:51,426 --> 00:00:53,176 Oh, I sure do. 17 00:00:53,262 --> 00:00:56,142 And it made me feel good that I could help others. 18 00:00:56,223 --> 00:00:58,313 -[woman] Dear Big Bird... -Dear Big Bird... 19 00:00:58,392 --> 00:01:00,192 -Dear Big Bird... -Dear Big Bird... 20 00:01:00,269 --> 00:01:03,059 [woman] Dear Big Bird, Hearing your voice reminded me 21 00:01:03,146 --> 00:01:06,526 how it was possible to find joy, even in all of my sadness. 22 00:01:06,608 --> 00:01:10,988 In good times and in bad, I could always count on you to be there for me. 23 00:01:11,071 --> 00:01:14,581 You were one of the first to show me what positive interactions look like. 24 00:01:14,992 --> 00:01:18,912 I think that everyone should be treated how they want to be treated. 25 00:01:19,288 --> 00:01:22,368 I want to be treated with kindness and-and respect, 26 00:01:22,457 --> 00:01:24,957 so that's how I treat everyone I meet. 27 00:01:25,043 --> 00:01:27,383 [woman #2] Not only did you help me learn English, 28 00:01:27,462 --> 00:01:30,592 but also you helped me find my larger place in the world. 29 00:01:31,216 --> 00:01:33,796 [woman #3] When my father died, I was consumed with grief. 30 00:01:33,886 --> 00:01:37,806 I needed someone to help explain the loss to my daughter and you were there. 31 00:01:37,890 --> 00:01:39,730 [Big Bird] Having friends is important 32 00:01:39,808 --> 00:01:42,638 because it means that someone's always there when you need them. 33 00:01:43,061 --> 00:01:45,731 You can help friends in a lot of different ways. 34 00:01:46,815 --> 00:01:50,935 I'm always there for my friends because I love helping people. 35 00:01:51,028 --> 00:01:53,068 It's one of my favorite things to do. 36 00:01:53,155 --> 00:01:54,485 Dear Big Bird... 37 00:01:54,573 --> 00:01:55,913 - [letter-writers] Dear Big Bird... - Dear Big Bird... 38 00:01:55,991 --> 00:01:57,661 -Dear Big Bird... -Dear Big Bird... 39 00:01:57,743 --> 00:01:59,083 Dear Big Bird... 40 00:02:19,556 --> 00:02:20,926 [interviewer] Rolling, rolling. 41 00:02:21,600 --> 00:02:22,680 Sound speed. 42 00:02:22,768 --> 00:02:24,058 All right. Whenever you're ready. 43 00:02:28,607 --> 00:02:29,607 "A" mark. 44 00:02:31,360 --> 00:02:32,900 [interviewer] Can you introduce yourself, please? 45 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:35,450 Uh, hello there. I'm Big Bird. 46 00:02:35,948 --> 00:02:37,698 [interviewer] Tell me the story of your life. 47 00:02:37,783 --> 00:02:39,873 Oh, a story? 48 00:02:39,952 --> 00:02:41,582 About me? 49 00:02:41,662 --> 00:02:46,582 Well, I was born on the best street in the whole wide world, Sesame Street. 50 00:02:52,130 --> 00:02:53,880 [man narrating] The year was 1969. 51 00:02:53,966 --> 00:02:56,676 Apollo 11 landing on the moon, Woodstock, 52 00:02:56,760 --> 00:02:59,050 and a little-known children's television program 53 00:02:59,137 --> 00:03:01,057 landing in living rooms across the country. 54 00:03:01,139 --> 00:03:03,519 [children] ♪ Sunny day ♪ 55 00:03:03,600 --> 00:03:05,690 [narrator] Its creators called it an experiment. 56 00:03:05,769 --> 00:03:08,399 Could children actually learn from TV? 57 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:10,520 The original promise of Sesame Street 58 00:03:10,607 --> 00:03:13,937 was to use television to prepare children for school. 59 00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:16,487 -Thirteen. -Thirteen. 60 00:03:16,572 --> 00:03:18,912 -Fourteen! -Fourteen! 61 00:03:18,991 --> 00:03:20,911 [Rollin] The show was also supposed to narrow 62 00:03:20,993 --> 00:03:25,293 the educational and cultural distance between poor and middle-class children. 63 00:03:25,873 --> 00:03:29,713 [man #2] No other children's television show was bringing together 64 00:03:29,793 --> 00:03:33,673 some of the greatest minds in television and in education in '69. 65 00:03:33,755 --> 00:03:39,215 It was a very different idea of what children's television could be. 66 00:03:39,887 --> 00:03:43,887 We had a number of meetings and seminars 67 00:03:43,974 --> 00:03:46,144 about what we would be doing with this television show. 68 00:03:46,226 --> 00:03:50,726 And one of the thoughts would be to create a character the child could live through. 69 00:03:50,814 --> 00:03:54,034 -Hello, Big Bird. How are you? -Hi, Gordon. 70 00:03:54,109 --> 00:03:56,529 -Okay. -I want you to meet Sally. 71 00:03:56,612 --> 00:03:58,112 Sure. Oh, hi, Sally. 72 00:03:58,197 --> 00:04:00,447 Sally? Where's Sally? 73 00:04:00,532 --> 00:04:03,792 Big Bird, in theory, is himself the child. 74 00:04:03,869 --> 00:04:04,699 [man] Look up. 75 00:04:05,370 --> 00:04:09,000 Aah! Oh, my heavens. Ah! She's eight feet tall! 76 00:04:09,082 --> 00:04:11,382 [man] No, she's not. She's only four feet tall. 77 00:04:11,460 --> 00:04:13,050 I'm holding her up, Big Bird. 78 00:04:13,128 --> 00:04:17,508 [Rollin] Big Bird himself, who will not be interviewed out of his feathers, 79 00:04:17,591 --> 00:04:21,011 feels that he contributes another kind of learning on the show. 80 00:04:21,094 --> 00:04:24,104 I try to learn, and they watch me learn. 81 00:04:24,181 --> 00:04:26,391 And sometimes I'm a little slow at it, 82 00:04:26,475 --> 00:04:29,475 and they can see maybe what I should do before I do it. 83 00:04:29,561 --> 00:04:31,901 [Rollin] But the show teaches more than letters and numbers. 84 00:04:32,189 --> 00:04:35,229 Making children aware of racial and cultural diversity 85 00:04:35,317 --> 00:04:37,647 is an important part of Sesame Street. 86 00:04:37,736 --> 00:04:40,446 [Big Bird] On Sesame Street, everyone's welcome. 87 00:04:40,531 --> 00:04:43,161 It's the kind of place where we can celebrate 88 00:04:43,242 --> 00:04:45,042 all the things that make us special 89 00:04:45,410 --> 00:04:49,750 and learn to be smarter and stronger and kinder. 90 00:04:49,831 --> 00:04:51,251 Can we be friends? 91 00:04:51,792 --> 00:04:52,962 Yeah, I guess so. 92 00:04:53,502 --> 00:04:54,632 [Big Bird] How about that? 93 00:04:55,170 --> 00:04:57,630 A big bird and a little bird. 94 00:04:58,465 --> 00:05:00,965 We're gonna be friends for a long, long time. 95 00:05:01,760 --> 00:05:05,930 There's always a friend on Sesame Street, and they're always teaching me new things. 96 00:05:06,390 --> 00:05:08,640 I guess that makes me one lucky bird. 97 00:05:08,725 --> 00:05:11,765 -There's a word that I saw today. -Uh-huh. 98 00:05:11,854 --> 00:05:16,614 Huh. I can hardly say it, and I sure don't know what it means. 99 00:05:16,692 --> 00:05:20,072 I was walking around Sesame Street, trying to find new words, 100 00:05:20,153 --> 00:05:24,203 when I stumbled upon a really, really long word. 101 00:05:24,283 --> 00:05:26,203 -That's not a word! -It's not? 102 00:05:26,285 --> 00:05:29,285 No, Big Bird. This is the alphabet. 103 00:05:29,371 --> 00:05:32,291 - You mean, that's the alphabet? - That's right. 104 00:05:32,374 --> 00:05:36,004 Teaching is sharing something that you know with someone else, 105 00:05:36,086 --> 00:05:39,666 and sharing is an important part of being a friend. Mm-hmm. 106 00:05:39,756 --> 00:05:43,176 [woman reporter] Turns out Big Bird may be the best substitute teacher after all. 107 00:05:43,260 --> 00:05:45,890 Watching Sesame Street delivers educational benefits 108 00:05:45,971 --> 00:05:48,271 as effective as preschool. 109 00:05:48,348 --> 00:05:49,598 By watching the program, 110 00:05:49,683 --> 00:05:52,523 children are more likely to stay at the appropriate grade level for their age, 111 00:05:52,603 --> 00:05:55,773 especially for those in disadvantaged areas. 112 00:05:55,856 --> 00:05:58,856 [interviewer] Hey, Big Bird, I have some of those letters from your friends. 113 00:05:58,942 --> 00:06:01,862 - Do you wanna read one? - Oh, I'd love to read a letter. 114 00:06:04,364 --> 00:06:05,574 Let's see here. 115 00:06:06,158 --> 00:06:10,698 It says, "Dear Big Bird, 116 00:06:10,787 --> 00:06:12,577 I was..." 117 00:06:14,374 --> 00:06:18,384 Uh... Some pretty big words here. Do you think you could help me? 118 00:06:18,462 --> 00:06:20,632 [interviewer] Why don't we get the letter writers to read them to you? 119 00:06:20,714 --> 00:06:22,014 Okay, great! 120 00:06:23,425 --> 00:06:27,005 [woman] Dear Big Bird, I was born in the United States in the 1980s 121 00:06:27,095 --> 00:06:29,175 to traditional Indian immigrant parents. 122 00:06:29,515 --> 00:06:32,555 My mother and father wanted to hold on tightly to their culture, 123 00:06:32,643 --> 00:06:36,103 so we mostly spoke Hindi and were strict vegetarians at home. 124 00:06:36,188 --> 00:06:40,068 At that time, there were very few South Asian families in our neighborhood. 125 00:06:40,150 --> 00:06:44,240 My parents were very aware of the racism and prejudice we could face as immigrants. 126 00:06:44,321 --> 00:06:48,281 So they encouraged me to try to embrace my new surroundings in America. 127 00:06:48,367 --> 00:06:50,197 [school bell rings] 128 00:06:50,661 --> 00:06:53,621 Even at this young age, I knew I was different, 129 00:06:53,705 --> 00:06:56,205 and I was deathly afraid of how much I would stick out. 130 00:06:56,291 --> 00:06:58,881 And because my parents primarily spoke Hindi, 131 00:06:58,961 --> 00:07:02,511 they were concerned that I would fall behind in school. 132 00:07:02,589 --> 00:07:05,969 On one of my first days of school, I called my teacher mausi, 133 00:07:06,051 --> 00:07:07,511 which is Hindi for aunt. 134 00:07:08,178 --> 00:07:12,018 I instantly realized no one, including my teacher, knew what I meant. 135 00:07:12,099 --> 00:07:14,349 I worried that no one thought I was smart. 136 00:07:15,477 --> 00:07:18,727 To help me, my parents would turn on Sesame Street every day. 137 00:07:20,649 --> 00:07:24,149 Watching you and your friends became one of the best parts of my day. 138 00:07:24,528 --> 00:07:27,068 Big Bird, you quickly helped me learn English. 139 00:07:27,531 --> 00:07:30,281 You taught me how to make shapes of letters using my hands. 140 00:07:30,367 --> 00:07:34,497 I picked up numbers and words and songs and was so entertained 141 00:07:34,580 --> 00:07:36,710 that I barely noticed how much I was learning. 142 00:07:36,790 --> 00:07:40,170 [Big Bird and woman] L-O-V-E. 143 00:07:40,252 --> 00:07:41,712 [Big Bird] Love. 144 00:07:42,421 --> 00:07:45,301 You and your friends also taught me kindness and acceptance. 145 00:07:45,883 --> 00:07:49,893 I loved seeing people and characters of all colors, shapes, sizes, and ages 146 00:07:49,970 --> 00:07:51,600 get along so well. 147 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,390 You taught me to cherish what makes each of us different 148 00:07:54,474 --> 00:07:57,524 and showed me that we all have our own unique story to tell. 149 00:07:58,312 --> 00:08:01,902 As I grew up, these ideas became more and more important to me. 150 00:08:01,982 --> 00:08:04,192 They led me on the path of becoming a journalist. 151 00:08:05,986 --> 00:08:09,776 I felt called to share stories about social justice from all over the world. 152 00:08:11,867 --> 00:08:14,237 Big Bird, I want you to know just how much 153 00:08:14,328 --> 00:08:18,918 you and your friends on Sesame Street impacted my life and the way I was raised. 154 00:08:18,999 --> 00:08:23,089 I honestly don't know where or who I would be without you. 155 00:08:23,170 --> 00:08:26,300 Wow. It's nice to help a friend. 156 00:08:26,381 --> 00:08:27,261 [static crackles] 157 00:08:27,341 --> 00:08:29,341 I would love to make you a hot fudge sundae. 158 00:08:29,426 --> 00:08:32,596 Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah. You can just sit down, Mr. Looper. 159 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:36,679 I'll make John-John a hot fudge sundae, and you study. 160 00:08:37,433 --> 00:08:39,603 Well, he's marvelous, huh? All right. 161 00:08:39,686 --> 00:08:42,516 [male reporter] Sesame Street has been teaching children for 14 years, 162 00:08:42,606 --> 00:08:44,016 teaching lots of children-- 163 00:08:44,107 --> 00:08:47,187 more than nine million kids under six watch every day-- 164 00:08:47,277 --> 00:08:49,277 teaching them about letters and numbers, 165 00:08:49,363 --> 00:08:51,823 about cities, about life and people. 166 00:08:51,907 --> 00:08:55,327 But this week, Sesame Street is teaching a new kind of lesson, 167 00:08:55,410 --> 00:08:59,160 sharing with its viewers some thoughts on how to deal with death. 168 00:09:03,752 --> 00:09:06,462 [news anchor] Will Lee died last night at the age of 74. 169 00:09:06,547 --> 00:09:09,167 He's better known to millions of children in this country 170 00:09:09,258 --> 00:09:10,878 as Mr. Hooper from Sesame Street. 171 00:09:11,593 --> 00:09:13,973 For 13 years, he was the grandfather-like character 172 00:09:14,054 --> 00:09:16,474 who often played straight man to Big Bird. 173 00:09:17,015 --> 00:09:18,765 [interviewer] Do you remember Mr. Hooper? 174 00:09:19,685 --> 00:09:22,805 Oh, sure. I-I remember Mr. Hooper. 175 00:09:22,896 --> 00:09:24,306 He was a great friend. 176 00:09:24,690 --> 00:09:27,360 - You spilled it all over. - It's a shame to waste this milk. 177 00:09:27,442 --> 00:09:30,032 Oh, well, it's just a little mistake. 178 00:09:30,112 --> 00:09:32,112 -Everybody makes mistakes. -Yeah. 179 00:09:32,197 --> 00:09:35,697 I miss Mr. Hooper every time I walk past Hooper's Store. 180 00:09:36,285 --> 00:09:39,825 He was my friend, and I loved seeing his smiling face. 181 00:09:39,913 --> 00:09:43,083 He'd give me a wave and say, "Hi, Big Bird." 182 00:09:43,166 --> 00:09:45,836 But I'm so happy that I had the chance to know him. 183 00:09:45,919 --> 00:09:49,339 And I love thinking about the memories we had together. 184 00:09:49,423 --> 00:09:52,473 [male reporter] When Will Lee died, Sesame Street had a choice. 185 00:09:52,551 --> 00:09:55,681 They could fake it, have Mr. Hooper move to California, say. 186 00:09:55,762 --> 00:09:59,772 Or they could deal with his death in terms their young viewers would understand. 187 00:09:59,850 --> 00:10:02,600 [man] A three-to five-year-old needs to know just the essential facts. 188 00:10:02,686 --> 00:10:04,936 You feel sad when somebody dies, and that's okay. 189 00:10:05,022 --> 00:10:07,822 That you might feel a little angry, and that's okay. 190 00:10:07,900 --> 00:10:09,820 And that, uh, you have your memories. 191 00:10:09,902 --> 00:10:10,902 And, uh-- 192 00:10:12,738 --> 00:10:14,948 And that there is no explanation. 193 00:10:18,118 --> 00:10:20,408 [interviewer] How did you feel when you found out he'd passed away? 194 00:10:21,330 --> 00:10:25,170 I was sad, and I was confused. 195 00:10:26,084 --> 00:10:28,884 I'd drawn him a picture, and I wanted to give it to him. 196 00:10:28,962 --> 00:10:30,342 Where is he? 197 00:10:36,887 --> 00:10:40,097 Big Bird, uh, don't you remember we told you? 198 00:10:41,266 --> 00:10:43,016 Uh, Mr. Hooper died. 199 00:10:43,852 --> 00:10:45,312 He-He's dead. 200 00:10:45,395 --> 00:10:47,685 Oh, yeah. I remember. 201 00:10:47,773 --> 00:10:49,983 Well, I'll give it to him when he comes back. 202 00:10:50,734 --> 00:10:54,704 Big Bird, Mr. Hooper's not coming back. 203 00:10:56,615 --> 00:10:57,655 Why not? 204 00:11:00,953 --> 00:11:03,293 Big Bird, when people die... 205 00:11:04,206 --> 00:11:06,416 they don't come back. 206 00:11:06,500 --> 00:11:07,630 Ever? 207 00:11:07,709 --> 00:11:09,459 No, never. 208 00:11:10,170 --> 00:11:12,380 At first I was upset and I had a lot of questions. 209 00:11:12,798 --> 00:11:16,008 But everybody told me that they would always be there for me. 210 00:11:16,093 --> 00:11:21,813 Now, I can help people understand what happens when people die 211 00:11:21,890 --> 00:11:23,730 and what we can do to remember them. 212 00:11:28,146 --> 00:11:29,396 [woman] Dear Big Bird, 213 00:11:29,481 --> 00:11:32,071 My daughter, Carly, spent the first five years of her life 214 00:11:32,150 --> 00:11:34,490 watching nothing but Sesame Street. 215 00:11:34,570 --> 00:11:38,450 It brought her so much joy and taught her many valuable lessons. 216 00:11:39,867 --> 00:11:42,237 [girl] Dear Big Bird, I loved watching you so much 217 00:11:42,327 --> 00:11:45,407 that my second birthday party was Sesame Street themed. 218 00:11:45,497 --> 00:11:49,377 It was awesome. I watched it all the time with my grandfather. 219 00:11:49,459 --> 00:11:51,089 I called him Papa. 220 00:11:51,837 --> 00:11:53,957 My father loved spending time with Carly. 221 00:11:54,047 --> 00:11:56,467 They spent hours together watching Sesame Street. 222 00:11:57,384 --> 00:12:00,934 He was a somewhat reserved man, but around her, his walls would come down. 223 00:12:01,013 --> 00:12:03,893 He could be himself. They had a very special bond. 224 00:12:06,226 --> 00:12:08,726 Then, a month before she turned three, 225 00:12:08,812 --> 00:12:12,192 my dad, her grandfather, died suddenly. 226 00:12:12,274 --> 00:12:16,494 I was struggling with how to tell Carly, on top of handling my own grief, 227 00:12:16,570 --> 00:12:18,530 which wasn't making it any easier. 228 00:12:22,618 --> 00:12:25,788 I knew it was affecting her, but I didn't know what to do. 229 00:12:26,914 --> 00:12:30,584 Big Bird, I thought of her love for you and your friends 230 00:12:30,959 --> 00:12:34,839 and remembered how Sesame Street is always comforting during hard times. 231 00:12:39,051 --> 00:12:42,761 I did a quick search and found the clip where you learn Mr. Hooper has died. 232 00:12:42,846 --> 00:12:45,266 It'll never be the same around here without him. 233 00:12:45,349 --> 00:12:46,349 [Big Bird] Mmm. 234 00:12:46,433 --> 00:12:47,773 [man] But you know something? 235 00:12:47,851 --> 00:12:50,811 We can all be very happy that we had a chance to be with him 236 00:12:51,188 --> 00:12:53,688 and to love him a lot when he was here. 237 00:12:53,774 --> 00:12:54,904 Yeah. 238 00:12:54,983 --> 00:12:57,323 [woman] This was exactly how I wanted to tell her. 239 00:12:58,403 --> 00:13:01,073 It was concrete, clear, and digestible. 240 00:13:01,156 --> 00:13:03,866 It even helped me in my own grieving process. 241 00:13:05,869 --> 00:13:09,459 From that point on, I had a better understanding of what had happened. 242 00:13:09,540 --> 00:13:13,170 Even though I missed him a lot, I knew that it would be okay. 243 00:13:13,252 --> 00:13:15,842 Big Bird, we were able to have this conversation with Carly 244 00:13:15,921 --> 00:13:18,881 at such a young age, and that's all because of you. 245 00:13:21,093 --> 00:13:24,223 -[static crackles] -Wow. Look at that. 246 00:13:24,304 --> 00:13:26,434 -[wind blowing] -Yeah, what a storm. 247 00:13:26,515 --> 00:13:28,515 I've never seen wind like this before. 248 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:30,850 How long do hurricanes last, Gordon? 249 00:13:34,314 --> 00:13:36,024 [male reporter] The East Coast is being pummeled 250 00:13:36,108 --> 00:13:38,688 with the power of a record-breaking superstorm. 251 00:13:38,777 --> 00:13:41,107 [female reporter] This storm is so big, so vast, 252 00:13:41,196 --> 00:13:44,486 60 million Americans will feel its power. 253 00:13:44,575 --> 00:13:47,035 My nest was destroyed in a hurricane. 254 00:13:47,119 --> 00:13:50,659 Mmm. It's true. It had everything a bird could ever want: 255 00:13:50,747 --> 00:13:53,917 toys and books and pictures of my friends. 256 00:13:55,377 --> 00:13:58,667 Nothing was left, except Mr. Hooper's picture. 257 00:13:59,131 --> 00:14:01,261 It was scary and confusing. 258 00:14:02,009 --> 00:14:04,549 -[Gordon] Oh, my. -[Big Bird] Ohh. 259 00:14:05,470 --> 00:14:08,520 -G-Gordon, my home. -Oh, no. 260 00:14:08,599 --> 00:14:11,309 - My nest! My everything! - Big Bird, Big Bird, Big Bird. 261 00:14:11,393 --> 00:14:14,983 - I-It's all right. It's all right. -No, it's not. 262 00:14:15,564 --> 00:14:17,364 You're right, you're right, Big Bird. It's not all right. 263 00:14:17,441 --> 00:14:19,231 But it-it will be all right. 264 00:14:19,318 --> 00:14:22,778 Well-- But my nest. What happened to my nest? 265 00:14:22,863 --> 00:14:27,123 Well, the wind was so strong that it just blew it all apart. 266 00:14:27,201 --> 00:14:31,251 Oh. [groans, sniffles] 267 00:14:31,330 --> 00:14:33,750 It's all right, Big Bird. I'm here with you. 268 00:14:34,750 --> 00:14:37,500 My friends told me that everything would be all right, 269 00:14:37,586 --> 00:14:40,836 and together, we rebuilt my nest. 270 00:14:40,923 --> 00:14:42,763 And it was bigger and better than ever. 271 00:14:42,841 --> 00:14:46,971 Don't worry, Big Bird. We're all gonna help you and we're gonna fix this. 272 00:14:47,054 --> 00:14:49,524 Yeah, I can fix these doors up like new. 273 00:14:49,598 --> 00:14:53,268 Even though the hurricane blew away your nest, 274 00:14:53,352 --> 00:14:56,442 it didn't blow away your friends. 275 00:14:56,522 --> 00:14:58,362 [chuckles] That's true, Snuffy. 276 00:14:58,440 --> 00:15:00,400 Every time I'm sitting in my nest, 277 00:15:00,484 --> 00:15:04,204 I think about how lucky I am to have such great friends. 278 00:15:04,279 --> 00:15:08,989 When my friends are feeling sad or lonely or scared, 279 00:15:09,076 --> 00:15:11,406 I remind them that they can come see me. 280 00:15:11,495 --> 00:15:15,245 I can comfort them, and I can help them not to be afraid. 281 00:15:15,332 --> 00:15:17,132 Because that's what friends are for. 282 00:15:19,545 --> 00:15:24,045 [woman] Dear Big Bird, As a giddy kid sitting way too close to the TV, 283 00:15:24,132 --> 00:15:27,092 I was never able to get enough of Sesame Street. 284 00:15:27,177 --> 00:15:29,137 You were always my favorite character 285 00:15:29,221 --> 00:15:32,351 for how calming, protective, and relatable you were. 286 00:15:33,100 --> 00:15:37,900 When I had children of my own, they also became enamored of you and your friends. 287 00:15:37,980 --> 00:15:42,530 But I never would have imagined that you'd be there for me some 30 years later. 288 00:15:43,443 --> 00:15:46,533 One afternoon, I was driving my two kids in our car, 289 00:15:46,613 --> 00:15:47,783 when we were suddenly struck. 290 00:15:47,865 --> 00:15:49,485 -[scream] -[crash] 291 00:15:53,245 --> 00:15:57,075 When I tried to yell to the back seat for my kids, no words came out. 292 00:15:57,583 --> 00:16:00,713 I was gasping for air. It was terrifying. 293 00:16:00,794 --> 00:16:02,304 [sirens wailing] 294 00:16:02,379 --> 00:16:05,759 After what felt like an eternity, help arrived. 295 00:16:08,302 --> 00:16:10,262 Luckily, both kids were okay. 296 00:16:11,180 --> 00:16:15,640 Several incredible firemen were able to pull them from the car and calm them down, 297 00:16:15,726 --> 00:16:19,606 while I was whisked away on a stretcher and into an ambulance. 298 00:16:21,732 --> 00:16:23,442 I was so scared for my kids 299 00:16:23,525 --> 00:16:26,645 that I didn't even notice how unbearable my own pain was 300 00:16:26,737 --> 00:16:30,817 until some EMTs were able to calm me down on the way to the hospital. 301 00:16:33,243 --> 00:16:37,753 After a blur of being rushed around the hospital and in and out of machines, 302 00:16:37,831 --> 00:16:42,381 I learned that my left lung had collapsed and I had broken every rib on that side. 303 00:16:44,713 --> 00:16:48,593 Several hours later, I woke up alone in the hospital. 304 00:16:49,718 --> 00:16:53,848 The vehicle ramming into us kept replaying over and over again in my mind. 305 00:16:53,931 --> 00:16:55,101 [tires screeching] 306 00:16:55,182 --> 00:16:58,442 Desperate for a distraction, I turned on the TV, 307 00:16:58,519 --> 00:17:02,229 not knowing what kind of infomercials and reruns would await me. 308 00:17:03,065 --> 00:17:05,355 Oh, now what are you gonna take from me? 309 00:17:05,442 --> 00:17:07,992 No, I'm not gonna take anything. 310 00:17:08,069 --> 00:17:10,029 We're gonna get medicine into your body quickly. 311 00:17:10,113 --> 00:17:13,623 [woman] Then a bright, yellow, familiar face appeared in front of me. 312 00:17:13,700 --> 00:17:15,990 I felt a wave of tension leave my body 313 00:17:16,078 --> 00:17:18,578 as I turned up the volume on Sesame Street. 314 00:17:18,664 --> 00:17:21,794 -How you feeling, Big? -Oh, better. 315 00:17:21,875 --> 00:17:26,085 But, oh, it's hard to sleep alone in a strange place. 316 00:17:26,547 --> 00:17:31,837 Hearing your voice, Big Bird, was an unexpected source of comfort and calm. 317 00:17:32,928 --> 00:17:36,098 It allowed me to let go of what happened and look forward. 318 00:17:37,349 --> 00:17:41,189 Five days later, I was finally released from the hospital. 319 00:17:42,020 --> 00:17:44,400 My kids were there to greet me when I arrived home. 320 00:17:44,481 --> 00:17:48,861 We spent a lot of the week watching you and your friends on Sesame Street, 321 00:17:48,944 --> 00:17:53,124 holding each other tight, knowing now just how precious life is. 322 00:17:53,198 --> 00:17:55,158 I still watch you with my kids. 323 00:17:55,242 --> 00:17:57,622 Even the ones who are too old still love you. 324 00:17:57,703 --> 00:18:01,833 And I know it's because of what you did for us as a family many years ago. 325 00:18:04,042 --> 00:18:08,052 -[static crackles] -Whee! [chuckles] 326 00:18:08,130 --> 00:18:10,300 Hi, Kelly. Hi, Frankie. 327 00:18:10,382 --> 00:18:14,222 Hey, Big Bird. Hey, you gotta see Kelly trying to skate. It's really funny. 328 00:18:14,303 --> 00:18:15,513 [cackles] 329 00:18:15,596 --> 00:18:18,966 Hey, Frankie, you shouldn't make fun of Kelly. 330 00:18:19,057 --> 00:18:21,807 I mean, she's just learning. It takes time. 331 00:18:22,144 --> 00:18:27,574 Being a good friend means that you're kind to others and you treat them with respect. 332 00:18:27,649 --> 00:18:32,069 I'm always there for my friends, and my friends are always there for me. Mm-hmm. 333 00:18:32,613 --> 00:18:35,123 [man] You guys do amazing things for kids. 334 00:18:35,199 --> 00:18:37,239 I don't know if people know how much stuff you're doing. 335 00:18:37,326 --> 00:18:41,576 Well, you know that my Sesame Street pals, they help people all over the world. 336 00:18:41,663 --> 00:18:43,543 -And it's so cool. -Yeah, it is cool. 337 00:18:43,624 --> 00:18:46,384 And do you know what happens when you help people, Jimmy? 338 00:18:46,460 --> 00:18:48,710 -No. -Well, it makes you feel really good. 339 00:18:48,795 --> 00:18:51,465 It's important to accept others for who they are. 340 00:18:51,548 --> 00:18:53,298 And that's what friends do, isn't it? 341 00:18:53,383 --> 00:18:56,683 They include you and make you feel special. 342 00:18:56,762 --> 00:18:59,352 [interviewer] Tell me about some of your friends on Sesame Street. 343 00:18:59,431 --> 00:19:01,981 Snuffy is my best friend. 344 00:19:02,059 --> 00:19:05,439 And he's even bigger than me, which is saying something. 345 00:19:05,521 --> 00:19:07,771 And Julia is also a good friend. 346 00:19:07,856 --> 00:19:09,936 She comes over to my nest for playdates. 347 00:19:10,317 --> 00:19:12,987 She loves playing tag, and when she gets excited, 348 00:19:13,070 --> 00:19:16,570 she flaps her hands, kinda like when birds fly. 349 00:19:16,657 --> 00:19:19,987 She does some things a little differently than others, but that's okay. 350 00:19:20,077 --> 00:19:24,077 - [interviewer] What makes her different? - Well, Julia has autism. 351 00:19:24,164 --> 00:19:25,964 Take a look at this, everybody. 352 00:19:26,041 --> 00:19:30,551 - [Elmo] Oh! Yeah! - Julia, you're so creative. 353 00:19:30,629 --> 00:19:31,629 [Julia laughs] 354 00:19:31,713 --> 00:19:33,923 Yeah. You're really good at painting. 355 00:19:34,007 --> 00:19:37,137 And I always try to show people that what makes us different 356 00:19:37,219 --> 00:19:38,889 is what makes us special. 357 00:19:39,471 --> 00:19:43,181 You're one of a kind, and that's something to be proud of. 358 00:19:49,106 --> 00:19:50,396 [man] Dear Big Bird, 359 00:19:50,482 --> 00:19:53,282 I was diagnosed with autism at an early age, 360 00:19:53,360 --> 00:19:55,450 and I really struggled to make friends. 361 00:19:55,779 --> 00:19:57,739 Things at home weren't great either. 362 00:19:57,823 --> 00:20:00,953 I never knew what to expect from my parents. 363 00:20:01,034 --> 00:20:04,044 Even when things were good, they could turn bad at any moment. 364 00:20:04,621 --> 00:20:07,291 Their behavior was unpredictable and scary. 365 00:20:07,374 --> 00:20:10,464 I just assumed it was tough love and that I deserved it. 366 00:20:11,003 --> 00:20:13,213 I thought they were just trying to change me 367 00:20:13,297 --> 00:20:15,757 so that I would fit in and be considered normal. 368 00:20:16,216 --> 00:20:20,176 Basically, they didn't understand me, and I didn't understand them either. 369 00:20:20,804 --> 00:20:22,684 [man on TV] Big Bird. 'Cause we're gonna miss you. 370 00:20:22,764 --> 00:20:26,024 [Mr. Hooper] Oh! Big Bird, enjoy yourself! 371 00:20:26,101 --> 00:20:29,941 [reader] Big Bird, our affection looked nothing like yours on Sesame Street. 372 00:20:30,355 --> 00:20:32,145 You treated everyone the same, 373 00:20:32,232 --> 00:20:34,862 even if they were different or weren't always nice to you. 374 00:20:34,943 --> 00:20:36,993 -Let's go! -Hey, Tarah. 375 00:20:37,446 --> 00:20:40,446 Um, how can you do aerobics in your wheelchair? 376 00:20:40,532 --> 00:20:41,872 I exercise all the time. 377 00:20:42,409 --> 00:20:46,039 [reader] You were one of the first to show me what positive interactions look like. 378 00:20:46,121 --> 00:20:49,541 Seeing you, I realized I wasn't being treated right. 379 00:20:51,335 --> 00:20:53,795 When I was older, I moved away from my parents 380 00:20:53,879 --> 00:20:56,339 because I knew I had to find my own path. 381 00:20:57,508 --> 00:21:00,428 You taught me that it's okay to exist just as I am 382 00:21:00,511 --> 00:21:02,221 and to embrace my own identity, 383 00:21:02,304 --> 00:21:05,024 instead of trying to fit into society's expectations. 384 00:21:06,016 --> 00:21:08,556 Learning I didn't have to change myself to be accepted 385 00:21:08,644 --> 00:21:10,564 was one of the best things to ever happen to me. 386 00:21:12,231 --> 00:21:14,731 Being on my own made me so happy. 387 00:21:15,484 --> 00:21:20,034 Big Bird, today, I have finished my master's degree in public policy, 388 00:21:20,113 --> 00:21:23,493 and I am the policy fellow for the Autistic Self Advocacy Network. 389 00:21:23,575 --> 00:21:26,535 I now have a community of friends who surround me with love and acceptance. 390 00:21:27,162 --> 00:21:28,752 They are my family. 391 00:21:28,830 --> 00:21:31,250 I have found my place. I have found my home. 392 00:21:31,333 --> 00:21:32,463 [no audible dialogue] 393 00:21:32,543 --> 00:21:35,503 Big Bird, you showed me how to accept people for who they truly are. 394 00:21:36,380 --> 00:21:38,010 Starting with myself. 395 00:21:39,091 --> 00:21:43,431 Big Bird, at a time in my life when I was too little to understand grief, 396 00:21:43,512 --> 00:21:45,472 you helped me make sense of things. 397 00:21:45,556 --> 00:21:48,556 I am so grateful you got us through such a trying time. 398 00:21:48,976 --> 00:21:50,596 Big Bird, I don't know where I'd be 399 00:21:50,686 --> 00:21:53,396 if you hadn't led me to venture out on my own when I did. 400 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:57,530 When I was struggling and needed a friend to guide and teach me, you were there. 401 00:21:57,609 --> 00:21:59,149 Thank you, Hillary. 402 00:21:59,236 --> 00:22:01,736 Thank you for everything, Sarika. 403 00:22:01,822 --> 00:22:05,702 Thank you, Big Bird, for showing me what kindness is when no one else did. 404 00:22:05,784 --> 00:22:06,994 Sincerely, Finn. 405 00:22:07,077 --> 00:22:08,497 Thank you, Big Bird. 406 00:22:08,579 --> 00:22:10,709 -Your friends, Rachel. -And Carly. 407 00:22:10,789 --> 00:22:13,079 [Big Bird] On Sesame Street, we know it's important 408 00:22:13,166 --> 00:22:15,836 to surround yourself with friends who will love you no matter what. 409 00:22:16,628 --> 00:22:20,128 And it's even more important to always be yourself.