From Dreamers To Believers

At the Microsoft Theater, a wave of pure elation rose from the stage and rolled to the back of the house when A&E's Born This Way was named outstanding unstructured reality program.

The September 11 audience at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards gave the show's cast and producers a prolonged standing ovation.

The critically acclaimed docu-series, which stars seven young adults with Down syndrome and their families, premiered in 2015. This year it was not only nominated for three Emmys (including two for editing), it was also recognized in June at the Television Academy Honors for its real-life depictions of persons with Down syndrome leading meaningful lives.

At that time, executive producer Jonathan Murray noted: "For too long, people with disabilities, including Down syndrome, have been placed on the sidelines of life — and the margins of primetime. With Born This Way airing on A&E, that is no longer the case."

From the Emmy stage, a delighted Murray said: "To our cast and their families, thank you for demonstrating to the world that people with disabilities have the same hopes and dreams as everyone else." In his acceptance, Murray noted that 25 years have passed since he and his partner at Bunim/Murray Productions, the late Mary-Ellis Bunim, developed the pioneering reality show, MTV's The Real World.

"For many of us in reality TV, The Real World is where we learned our craft. Now I thank our network partners for taking a chance and supporting television that can be entertaining and inspirational."

On stage, the ensemble couldn't hide their glee. Their show, now in its second season, is about the pursuit of dreams. And one they perhaps had never dared to dream had just come true.