Down Syndrome and God is right here!

Down syndrome has revolutionized our lives. Matthew has Down syndrome and he is seven. Alice doesn't and she is four. The two of them are priceless and a treasure beyond words. Their love for us, for each other and for life is so awesome. At times I wonder which one of us is disabled...me or him? At first it was hard, but now I see that God is with us and it is only through His grace that we are able to join in the great gift of an extra chromosome of "cuteness." Steve Davis of Georgia wrote the following of his brother with Down syndrome:

My younger brother, Alan, had Down syndrome and died four months short of his 50th birthday. He was terrified of thunderstorms. Our mom taught Alan that when a storm approached, he should put his hand over his heart and say, "God's right here." After Mom died, Alan stayed overnight with my family once a week. When a storm was near, Alan would come to us and say, "God's right here." Then he would calm down. Later, when the storm passed, he would come to us and say, "Alan's all right."

What a wonderful picture of faith Alan gave us! When the storms of life threaten, we can follow Alan's example and remember that "God's right here" - right here in our heart, every single day of our lives. And if we believe that as strongly as Alan did, we, too, will be able to say, "I'm all right," even in fearsome times.

We all face the uncertain times of life. We also learn to deal with those situations. It is in our inner self that we find the ability to be that which God has created us to be. It is when we say, "God is right here" that we are able to step through the hard times and accept the great times. The sorrow is hard, but the fulfillment of faith brings us great joy.

Having a child with Down syndrome is not easy. It is also true that not everyone can be a parent to a special needs child. I am thankful God has equipped and allowed us this privilege.

Matthew is a treasure and has an extra chromosome. Alice is a treasure and she doesn't. I am striving to be a dad that lets them know that either way, "God is right here." By the way, Matthew loves Thunderstorms. Alice doesn't. You know I love ya, Don

Buddy Walk 2009 Pictures

It was a great Buddy Walk in Indianapolis 2009. Lots of Fun and worth every step!

Around 2,300 in attendance!

You know I love ya, Don

Gov. Palin and A Child with Down Syndrome in the Vice Presidential House

I received a question: How good was it to have a Child with Down Syndrome on the Stage at Gov. Sarah Palin's announcement that Senator John McCain asked her to run as his Vice President?

Here is my take on it: Every child is unique. Our Matthew will be 5 on September 17th. He had open heart surgery at 14 days old along with a staph infection and has had several issues of pneumonia over his short life....Large crowds of people and a great deal of love and energy thrills him and always has from the very beginning. I remember after the heart surgery and he had a staph infection. The doctors could not tell us if he would survive. He was in medication induced coma while the infection was being sucked from the tissues in his body. All we had for four days was monitors.

His numbers would go down when it was still. He would often not respond as well to pain meds when Karen and I or other family was away from him. So, we stepped into action. We had family there around the clock. Karen would read scripture and we would pray together aloud. We played praise music and a personalized CD with songs that Granny brought. I even read out loud the entire book of Charlie and Chocolate Factory to Matthew. What was supposed to be a week long procedure was over in four days. When Matthew returned from surgery, the infection was gone and he was alert. It was awesome to see those blue eyes again.

Since then, Matthew has become even more social and LARGE event oriented. He loves church, he loves school, he loves Walmart, and he loves people. In fact, Mike and Cathy Canny invited us to a Beetles Impersonators concert last night at the Conner Prairie with almost 9000 people on lawn chairs and blankets and Matthew soaked up every minute. Thus, Matthew is our official Walmart Greeter....this could be his life goal....he is definitely gifted at it.

I am not saying every child with Down Syndrome is the same...I do think it would be prudent to cut the parents some slack and let them know what is best for Trig. Most children take after their parents and Matthew has talkative parents, so it seems is you know Karen and I, Matthew did not have a chance in the lack of talkative genes (or chromosomes).

I still am excited with the advocacy we might all share with a Child with Down Syndrome in the Vice Presidential Mansion. Isn't it exciting to see the prospect that the world might see the value in every life.

Comments always welcome...Have a great Labor Day!
Don