Riko has a rare illness that causes severe swelling in her face and a tongue much larger than normal, known as severe macroglossia. She needs constant suctioning to breathe without complications, medical care that accompanies her every minute of the day.
Her mother is not asking for miracles. She only wants one thing: for her daughter to be able to attend kindergarten, play with other children, and sit in a classroom like any other little girl her age. In Japan, there is a law that supports so-called ‘children requiring medical care,’ but actual access depends on each municipality, and many families like Riko’s run up against an unequal system where acceptance varies depending on where you live.
Riko’s story reached Japanese television during a campaign about inclusive education, with a message her mother repeats tirelessly. Every child deserves to learn together with others, regardless of how much care they need to breathe.
