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A Further Perspective
Happy 40th Birthday, Jon Will!
Down syndrome and the richness of life.
In George Will’s syndicated column, he celebrates his son Jon’s 40th birthday which is today. Jon has Down syndrome. With this gem, Will celebrates Jon’s life and the lives of so many other similar Americans who have enriched the lives of us all.
Jon was born in 1972 when a person with such a disability had a life expectancy of 20 years. Today that number is 60. Back then, as related by Will, he and his wife were confronted with a stunning question from their doctor the day after their child’s birth: “whether they intended to take Jon home from the hospital.” The Wills assumed that is exactly what they would do with their first born.
“Not doing so was, however, still considered an acceptable choice for parents who might prefer to institutionalize or put up for adoption children thought to have frequently bleak futures,” writes Will. “Whether warehoused or just allowed to languish from lack of stimulation and attention, people with Down syndrome, not given early and continuing interventions, were generally thought to be incapable of living well, and hence usually did not live as long as they could have.”
Unfortunately, today, not many get a chance to live at all. Jon Will “was born eight months before Roe v. Wade inaugurated this era of the casual destruction of pre-born babies,” notes Will. Given the “garish flowering of the baby boomers’ vast sense of entitlement to exemption from nature’s mishaps, and to a perfect baby,” in combination with the common use of prenatal genetic testing, 90 percent of these children are now aborted.
“Which is unfortunate, and not just for them,” says Will. “Judging by Jon, the world would be improved by more people with Down syndrome, who are quite nice, as humans go.” Will observes that these people were once called Mongoloids. “Now they are called American citizens…”
George Will illustrates the essential point that these children and adults expand and enhance the lives of those around them. He does not use these words, but I have heard it from many parents and family members blessed with a Down syndrome child that they increase the sum total of love, affection and generosity or self-giving wherever they go.
I recall dining at a chain restaurant that hired Down syndrome employees and hearing my father praise the company to the high heavens. We both saw the warmth and responsiveness of the customers to these earnest and dedicated employees. The young people working were diligent, productive and making some money, too. They were happy to be gainfully employed. As in so many things, my father was absolutely right.
Will notes that Jon, like Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire, always depends on the kindness of strangers. “Judging by Jon’s experience, they almost always receive it,” claims Will. What is it about these people which brings out the best in everyone else?
Jon is a great baseball fan. He frequents the clubhouse of the Washington Nationals and always does a few chores before a game. Jon will be at the game tonight as he is 81 times in a season where he sits behind the home team’s dugout.
“Major leaguers, all of whom understand what it is to be gifted, have been uniformly and extraordinarily welcoming to Jon, who is not,” writes his father.
Jon has “an underdeveloped entitlement mentality, has been equable about life’s sometimes careless allocation of equity. Perhaps this is partly because, given the nature of Down syndrome, neither he nor his parents have any tormenting sense of what might have been,” muses Will. “Down syndrome did not alter the trajectory of his life; Jon was Jon from conception on.”
George Will, an avid baseball fan himself, knows his son will be cheering the Nationals on to beat the Phillies who are in town. “Jon will be wishing them ruination, just another man, beer in hand, among equals in the republic of baseball.”
Happy Birthday, Jon! May you enjoy many more nights at the ballpark.
About the Author
G. Tracy Mehan, III served at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the administrations of both Presidents Bush. He is a consultant in Arlington, Virginia, and an adjunct professor at George Mason University School of Law.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (43) | Leave a comment
More Articles by G. Tracy Mehan, III
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Appleby| 5.4.12 @ 6:59AM
Happy birthday, Jon, and God bless fathers and mothers like George Will. Considering the ugly and savage brutality of the language directed at Mr. and Mrs. Palin's Down Syndrome child, it's no wonder the streets are full of Occupiers tormented by the deeply ingrained belief that one false step and their parents will pull the switch and send them to their Long Home.
KyMouse| 5.4.12 @ 9:26AM
Exactly, Appleby.
I may have mentioned this before -- friends of ours have a grown son with DS who is "non-verbal," although he can write. He also has done some paintings that have sold (one is hanging in a local bank).
When his beloved grandpa died, this young man and his family were, of course, sad, but all are Christians. Larry, wanting to express his grief, drew a simple picture that showed himself and other relatives crying -- but over their heads was a rainbow, birds flying, the sun shining, and in big letters above it all, the name "JESUS" in big letters.
That young man understands more than a lot of "smart" people do. And he is almost always cheerful and loving, which is more than I can say about myself.
Darin| 5.4.12 @ 7:04AM
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:7-9
Jesus was talking about believers, but anyone who has met a person with Downs Symdrome knows these passages likely apply.
Clint| 5.4.12 @ 7:51AM
Does This Mean That Rooting For The Nats Causes Down Syndrome.
Just Askin'
Dick Nome| 5.4.12 @ 8:41AM
Go away Clint. A-holism isn't genetic, but in your case it isn't treatable either.
http://funnyjunk.com/movies/22.....Anonymous/
Clint| 5.4.12 @ 9:53AM
What's Dick Building In There ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMqxNPsfN50
Dick Nome| 5.4.12 @ 1:15PM
http://funnyjunk.com/movies/22.....Anonymous/
Clint| 5.4.12 @ 3:50PM
Little Dick Gets Ready For His Mancrush, Bibi.
http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/.....ap-man.jpg
Nancy in NC| 5.4.12 @ 8:42AM
As usual, Clint, you lend nothing to the discussion.
spike59| 5.5.12 @ 9:20AM
if that's the case, Widdle Cwint, maybe you should become a Nats rooter? it would DOUBLE your IQ
Oldefarte| 5.6.12 @ 11:07AM
Clint, I didn't know that you wore glasses??????
Occam's Tool| 5.6.12 @ 11:01PM
Clint: just when I think no one can go lower than whale dung, you surprise me.
Occam's Tool| 5.6.12 @ 11:01PM
Clint: just when I think no one can go lower than whale dung, you surprise me.
SK| 5.4.12 @ 9:53AM
I'm sure that the first Mrs. Will, Jon's mother, deserves credit too.
Clint| 5.4.12 @ 9:58AM
As Usual, Nancy,You're A Cranky PMS'Y Lecturing School Marm.
http://www.grimmemennesker.dk/.....-women.jpg
Dick Nome| 5.4.12 @ 3:17PM
You are a jerk with no class, Clinty boy.
Clint| 5.4.12 @ 3:53PM
You Are A World Class Jerk, Bibi Towel Boy, Little Dick.
spike59| 5.5.12 @ 9:22AM
you sure seem to be fascinated with other males' genitalia, Widdle Cwint...maybe you should come out of that closet in your mommy's basement
swansong| 5.4.12 @ 3:35PM
Clint could keep "just askin'" forever, grabbing the most current cliche, having no independent thought of his own, IMHO - (to down grade to his level of understanding) - - and he would never know more than he does today. Which is zero. If Clint were really interested, he could attempt to understand George Will's explanation of what causes Down Syndrome.
Clint's mental wattage is probably considerably lower than Jon's and we have had it stunningly demonstrated, time after time, not a drop of the milk of human kindness flows in his veins.
Clint makes the skunk at the garden party a welcome visitor, by comparison.
I have a cousin, the same age as Jon. An afternoon in his presence can make you forget there are Clints in this world. He is cheerful, outgoing, cooperative, helpful and uncomplaining. He can do a devastatingly accurate mime of Marilyn Monroe singing Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend, which I am sure Clint lacks the imagination and talent to attempt.
Mike Hawk| 5.4.12 @ 3:44PM
Clint is among the Dendritically challenged. Monosynapytic as it were.
Clint| 5.4.12 @ 4:14PM
Little Micky Hawklette Got Lost In Thought, It Was Foreign Territory.
Call Bibi.
Oldefarte| 5.6.12 @ 11:11AM
Clint's thoughts come from his Catholic Treasure Chest subscription!!!!!!!!
Clint| 5.4.12 @ 4:06PM
Maybe You Can Talk To George Will About The Phoney Conservatism Of NeoCons Too,While You're At It.
" George Will, "Today, we have a very different kind of foreign policy. It’s called Wilsonian. And the premise of the Bush Doctrine is that America must spread democracy, because our national security depends upon it. And America can spread democracy. It knows how. It can engage in national building. This is conservative or not?"
William F. Buckley, " It’s not at all conservative. It’s anything but conservative. It’s not conservative at all, inasmuch as conservatism doesn’t invite unnecessary challenges. It insists on coming to terms with the world as it is …”
Mike Hawk| 5.6.12 @ 8:53AM
Clint, the only difference between you and a bag of sh!t is the bag.
Oldefarte| 5.6.12 @ 11:12AM
Go tell your fellow state STUPIDS Rendell and Santorium!!!!!!!!
Occam's Tool| 5.6.12 @ 11:03PM
I have treated multiple Down Syndrome adults. At their best they are lovely people.
swansong| 5.4.12 @ 3:37PM
I neglected to say, my cousin is a DS child, a wonderful 42 year old child - wise in many ways, limited in a few.
Clint| 5.4.12 @ 4:17PM
See That, Your Cousin Is Smarter Than You, Swannie.
And Certainly Not A Nats Fan.
Oldefarte| 5.6.12 @ 11:15AM
Is he smart enough to understand that you don't capitalize ever word of a sentence? Of course, that what you ciphered in PS 101 grammar, huh [if you had gone to Catholic school, you'd know better]????????
zamoracarl| 5.4.12 @ 7:49PM
like Edith said I am blown away that any one able to earn $9105 in one month on the internet. have you seen this webpageM a k e c a s h 16 . c о m
Richard Baker| 5.4.12 @ 8:29PM
Jon's longevity must irritate the abortion folks no end. They hated Palin for keeping her baby, Trig. Am glad that George Will kept his, as well.
Shiori| 5.4.12 @ 11:48PM
Horrifically, Great people like Jon never get a chance to live because of Roe v. Wade. Not to mention all other children. They are the eugenics freaks after all. I still can't believe genetic cleansing and population control goes on in my country.
Shiori| 5.4.12 @ 11:46PM
Happy Birthday Jon! You-Da-Man!!! God Bless on your big four-oh! Don't worry, it's not that bad being 40 - you still feel pretty young, but you're wiser. It's actually pretty cool.
Bret Lythgoe| 5.5.12 @ 3:23AM
Happy Birthday Jon Will!
lunettes de soleil ray ban | 5.5.12 @ 4:14AM
good
Kitty | 5.5.12 @ 7:15AM
Jon has "an underdeveloped entitlement mentality...
If only that were more prevalent.
spike59| 5.5.12 @ 9:24AM
Happy Birthday, Jon! God bless you!
Skippy| 5.5.12 @ 6:21PM
There is no face upon which one can gaze that is more Christlike than that of a person like Jon, and no heart as filled with His pure love.
We will all have to called to account for the way we have allowed these angels to be slaughtered.
May we be forgiven.
God blessed you Jon.
John Gray| 5.6.12 @ 12:55AM
Left vs Right pretty much means economics and regulation to me.
I don't understand why a predisposition to raise taxes and ban guns always correlates with that of snuffing out lives such as Jon's, but there is is.
albert constantine jr.| 5.6.12 @ 9:44AM
Thus far this weekend, Jon has been getting his birthday wish, as the Phils lost in 11 innings Friday, and took a bit of a shellacking yesterday from the Nats, led by former Phil Jason Werth.
Sorry,Jon, I hate to disrupt a birthday weekend sweep, but I'm hoping my Phils salvage tonight's ESPN game.
mames| 5.6.12 @ 7:35PM
My own experience with Downs came in the
form of a young many named Scotty. He was without guile and open to all levels of conversation. He has gone to the Church Triumphant now but I still miss this man we all came to love. Happy birthday Jon, I am sure you know how blessed you are to have the parents you do.
MorrowRosanna| 5.7.12 @ 7:04PM
as Tiffany replied I am stunned that anybody able to profit $5569 in one month on the internet. did you read this site link makecash16.cøm
Occam's Tool| 7.16.12 @ 11:35AM
A point: I recently read about a Down Syndrome adult who saved the life of his father.
G-d Bless You, Jon Will, and the never ending nachas you provide your father.