The Nathan Series 3/4: Sandra/Mom

(The Nathan Series 3/4: Sandra/Mom)

“The church service came to an end and I made my way through the crowd of fellow church goers towards my son’s Sunday school class. I walked over and Nathan came running to me. As I bent down to give him a hug I looked up at the teacher, who was new to his class, and casually asked, “how was Nathan’s day?” She looked at me and thought for what seemed a long time and then said with a tone of doubt, “I think he’s teachable.” I was in shock. It was as though she looked at my son and questioned whether or not he was teachable. I just stared at her, speechless, hurt, and angry. I scooped up my son and walked away. But what I really wanted to do was disappear from earth. I wanted to take my perfectly-capable-of-learning son and never again allow him to be exposed to people who did not see his potential, worth and humanity. And to make matters worse, this happened in our church.

We attend a different church now. One where Nathan is accepted. A church where when Nathan volunteers to pray, he can do so wholeheartedly and even though few can understand what he is saying because of his articulation, it is totally fine. He is respected and validated and when he says “amen” everybody says “amen” and thanks Nathan for his prayer.

Nathan has shown me how people with intellectual disabilities have faith and a personal relationship with their almighty creator. If Nathan is not given the opportunity to be at church and accepted for who he is, the community would miss out on the important role he plays as a member of the body of Christ.”

#ThisIsDownSyndrome #TheLuckyFew