My son, the Cadet

Student with Down Syndrome becomes JROTC Cadet

 

By John Richmeier

GateHouse News Service 

 

When enrolling her son Stephen at Leavenworth High School, Cindy Bartko has noticed a table for the Junior ROTC program. But she never pursued having her son join the program.

Stephen has Down syndrome.

But he was among the many JROTC cadets to appear in Thursday’s Veterans Day parade in downtown Leavenworth.

The high school sophomore began attending JROTC classes earlier this month.
He became involved in the high school program after he was invited to fire a JROTC cannon during an Oct. 22 home football game at the high school.

“He got a real kick out of it,” Cindy said.

Retired Lt. Col. David Black told Cindy JROTC officials would work with her son. Black is the senior Army instructor for JROTC at Leavenworth High School.

“He wanted Stephen to be in the program,” she said.

Stephen’s high school schedule was juggled in order to accommodate JROTC classes. Cindy said Stephen has someone to assist him in class.

“Our mission is to build better citizens,” Black said.

He said the other cadets learn something from having Stephen in the program.

“We as people tend to shy away from people with disabilities,” Black said.

The senior Army instructor said he also learns from having Stephen as a cadet.

Stephen lives in Basehor but attends special education classes at Leavenworth High School.

Cindy said her son feels a sense of pride in the JROTC program, which is visible in the way he carries himself.

“He just feels like he belongs, and you can tell that,” she said.

He began JROTC classes Nov. 1. Thursday’s parade marked the first time he wore a JROTC uniform.

Stephen also has attended Leavenworth High School home football games as part of a fundraiser program called First Downs for Down Syndrome and was named an honorary co-captain of the football team, Cindy said.

Copyright 2010 Leavenworth Times. Some rights reserved

Do People Really Adopt Children with Down Syndrome?

YES, they do! There are even waiting lists in some areas, isn't that great!

There is an organization that specializes in adoptions of children with special needs! I've heard that in some areas, there is a waiting list! Isn't that wonderful? There are people out there who will get to experience the love and joy that a child with Down Syndrome can bring!

Here is a link to their site:
www.reecesrainbow.com

If you know of someone wanting to adopt a child, encourage them to adopt one with special needs, they won't be sorry they did!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all those moms out there, especially to those that have children with Special Needs! They make life challenging at times, but so worthwhile! I thank God for our angels on Earth!

God Chooses a Mom for a Disabled Child

by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. This year, nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen ? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his angels to make notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth; son; patron saint, Matthew."

"Forrester, Marjorie; daughter; patron saint, Cecelia."

"Rudledge, Carrie; twins; patron saint... give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God ? She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God.

"Could I give a handicapped child a mother who does not know laughter ? That would be cruel."

"But has she patience ?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independance. She'll have to teach the child to live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness ? Is that a virtue ?"

God nods. "If she can't seperate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, there is a woman I will bless with a child less then perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word.' She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle and know it ! When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people ever see my creations.

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see --- ignorance, cruelty, prejudice --- and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her patron saint ?" asks the angel, his pen poised in midair.

God smiles. " A mirror will suffice."

My Special Child

My Special Child

As I look at your face, my special child
I see a gift from God, so meek and so mild.
Your accomplishments may seem few and far between
But happier parents you have never seen.

With every move you make, my heart swells with pride.
My smile beams brightly from side to side.
You'll never know what it feels like to not be loved.
You are truly a gift sent from Heaven above.

As I look at you now I fully understand
That I won't be alone, God is holding my hand.
Life has a funny way of turning things around.
If we let Him take over, His love will abound.

I never knew true faith until you were born.
A special crown I have been given to adorn.
Only a few chosen parents will be able to say
"A special child has been sent to show me the way."

I'm so proud of you wherever we go.
I'll never be afraid to let my love show.
I thank God for you every day that goes by,
I'll never ask, "Why me, God, why?"

What a helper!

What a helper Stephen is with Grandpa. He puts his bib on him, gets his paper, coffee, breakfast, takes such good care of Grandpa on the weekends when he is living with us! What a joy my son is, and a tremendous blessing from God! Stephen even loads up the dishwasher, sets the table when it is time for dinner, he even gathers all of the items needed for dinner and brings them upstairs so we will know what he wants! He is such a trip!

A Wonderful Life

I'm a lucky lady. Why do I say that? God chose me to take care of one of His angels with Down Syndrome.