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closeOn faith: Counting blessings of a Down syndrome brother
Alfred Gunn
guest columnist
On a recent visit to a California congregation of my church, I attended worship services and classes for three Sundays with Bill Chase, 64, who has Down syndrome, and his older brother, Palmer Chase.
One Sunday, having been asked to speak to the congregation regarding people with disabilities, Palmer shared personal insights he’s gained from Bill.
These are excerpts from those remarks:
“Bill has Down syndrome. He has an extra chromosome that in some way modifies his mental and physical abilities and makes dealing in our normal society a challenge.
“Any inconvenience or sacrifice that you can imagine Bill has caused has resulted in blessings of discipline, empathy, service and love that we have gained for him and for others in our life.
“During Bill’s life, he has done many things that are quite normal. He participated in Special Olympics for many years. He attends Starlight Center for the Retarded (at Chula Vista, Calif.), where, for many years, he worked in a workshop for about 25 cents an hour, for which he was very proud.
“He is now in a seniors’ program there that travels in the community, and he enjoys a retired lifestyle. He is a pioneer in promoting and showing that handicapped individuals can be socially adjusted, can be productive in workshops and can have happy and inspirational lives.
“Bill has been on many vacations. He loves to dance and listen to music. He loves animals. Actually, his life is very normal but notched down a little in terms of complexity.
“Bill is personally self-sufficient. He has social skills that are the result of my mother’s lifelong willingness to take care of him and teach him. He lived with her until she moved into an assisted-living facility at age 88. Then, he came to live with Madie and me.
“We had bought a house with a downstairs bedroom, anticipating such a need. His presence makes us three — a good number to justify home-cooked meals and family activities on holidays.
“It is really hard to feel sorry for yourself when you have an example like Bill. Ask him how he is, and the answer is always ‘fine.’ He makes the most of every talent he has. He tries as hard as he is able to accomplish tasks. Every Saturday is devoted to cleaning and dusting his room, and then we go out to eat at 5 p.m., rain or shine.
“If there is a choice between a ball game and church, he always opts for attending church, where he enjoys activities and singing the hymns. This congregation has always been supportive of those with disabilities, mental and physical, small and large. I appreciate the love and concern you all show for Bill.
“Bill is an inspiration to those who know him. The end result is that he has taught us empathy and love and helped us to focus on things that are really important in life. He is an example of service. He will do anything asked of him for which he is capable. He is a productive citizen and one without hate or guile.
“While all handicapped persons can offer these rewards, Bill has been especially easy to include in our lives, and we love him.”
Palmer closed his remarks by saying, “I often wonder in the broad scheme of things if he made the choice to come to earth as he is. If so, we owe him a great debt of gratitude.”
Sadly, 19 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act mandating public accommodations, 80 percent of expectant mothers made aware that the child they carry will have Down syndrome choose to provide no accommodation for such a child.
There was no room in the inn in Bethlehem either, as I recall.