The doctor who delivered our children now has his own grandchildren, and one of them has received considerable recognition recently – Kristen Pass was chosen “Homecoming Queen” of the Aledo High School. Kristen’s attention has come because this 18-year-old was born with Down Syndrome.
Down Syndrome is a condition in which extra genetic material causes delays in the way a child develops mentally, physically and intellectually. It affects about one in every 733 babies.
Because of the publicity that surrounds Sarah Palin’s son Trig, Down Syndrome is more in the news than ever. While obvious negatives are inherent in this syndrome, it is not uncommon for children with this malady to be unusually special to family, friends – and often an entire community.
Their growth rate is somewhat slower than others, but most have only moderate intellectual impairment and often become very productive individuals.
After Kristen’s selection was announced, her sister described what is commonly seen in “kids with Down Syndrome”:
“Kristen has a lot of friends – she likes everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are tall or short, pretty, not pretty, smart, not smart – she just likes us all; everybody. She is just the
neatest kid in the whole world.”
It’s not hard to see why the students of Aledo High School love her so much. This was not a “sympathy” choice, giving it to her because they felt sorry for her. Nor was it rigged in her favor. It was because of who and what she is. “She likes everyone. It doesn’t matter…” I don’t have to tell you that both youths and adults often suffer from a “Bias Syndrome.” We often arbitrarily seek and accept the company of those who possess certain qualities, and avoid others who lack those qualities.
Money, skill, social position; these seem to be elevated far beyond their value. But Kristen “likes everyone,” and therein is a lesson we can all learn and benefit from in life.
The Bible tells Christians that there are individuals who have embraced ungodly ways and they are to be avoided, Romans 16:17, 2 Thessalonians3:14-15 – but not because they are “not pretty or smart.” That quality of “likes everyone” found in so many with Down Syndrome should be prominent in the lives of those of us who seek to follow in the steps of Jesus.
He ministered to rich and poor alike. It was the “common people” who heard Him gladly, Mark 12:37. He died for those who despised Him.
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died
for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” Romans 5:6-8.
Is it not a rich blessing that God judges us on the basis of our character rather than our looks, our pocketbook or the size and value of our house? It was our brother Marshall Keeble who said it this way:
“We all stand on level ground at the foot of the cross.”
That’s just another way to say what Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male no female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus,” Galatians 3:28 NKJV.
Why does this young girl have such an impact on so many people? Not because of her physical beauty, nor her financial status, nor her social status. She just “treats everyone alike.” She “likes everyone,” and it is hard not to like someone who likes you.
Kristen is like many Down Syndrome kids – she likes others and others like her because she is genuine; she is just what you see; a human being that faces problems and pleasures every day.
Wouldn’t the world be better off if more of us were like her? Even with her Down Syndrome condition.
