(Editor’s note: the March for Life is scheduled for Washington, D.C. on Thursday, January 22).

Recently I read an article about how scientists are going to use an outer space satellite to monitor the kangaroo rat which is an endangered species. The article states: “It allows us to more quickly recognize whether populations are declining where we want them to exist. “If they go below a threshold, that is when we would consider intervening.” I have a beautiful five-year-old daughter Chloe who has Down Syndrome, and she has brought immeasurable good and light into the world.  Because of the refining of and increase in prenatal testing children with Down Syndrome are also an endangered species with a 90%+ abortion rate once identified in the womb.  Chloe’s unique human species could very well become extinct in another generation if attitudes are not changed. 

On May 16^th 2003 our 2^nd child Chloe Emmanuel Kondrich was born into this world, and she placed our family on an incredible journey. We had no genetic tests done despite the constant pressure from the medical community, and my wife Margie and I were told shortly after Chloe entered this world that our daughter had characteristics of Down Syndrome. I immediately asked if I could hold Chloe, and the doctor seemed surprised that I was so excited to hold her. When he placed her in my arms I gazed into the eyes of my precious daughter and thanked God for her safe birth.  We began our trek into the world of disabilities, and we were immediately overloaded with information, questions, concerns and uncertainty. We knew very little about Down Syndrome or any disabilities at the time, but we made it our mission to gain as much knowledge as possible.  

My son Nolan, who was 4 at the time of Chloe’s birth, saw her only as his beautiful sister who he looked forward to loving and playing with. My wife and I embraced our priceless gift and prayed for God’s guidance, strength and wisdom to get the best possible supports and services for Chloe. Once we got Chloe home and were settled we were surrounded by a team of Early Intervention therapists, and these truly amazing individuals planted in our family priceless seeds of hope and optimism. We celebrated and treasured each little developmental milestone Chloe reached, and it has made us as a family much more thankful for each day the Lord blesses us with. Having a child with a disability allows you to quickly discover the true heart and core of people, and Chloe and all children with disabilities are a wake-up call to a world obsessed with perfection, instant gratification and self.    

When Chloe was born I was in my 20^th year as a Police Officer. I prayed very hard and decided to take a leap of faith to pursue a career in Early Intervention to work with children with disabilities and their families. I returned to college at the University of Pittsburgh to pursue my Masters Degree and it was very humbling. My old typewriter still occupied a spot in the attic as a relic from my undergraduate days at IUP. With God carrying me I managed to graduate from Pitt with my Masters Degree, and I now work as the Director of Community and Family Outreach for Early Intervention Specialist. I am very active in the disabilities community at the local and state levels, and my mission remains the same as it did when I was a Police Officer – To Serve and Protect. 

At age 5 Chloe has positively impacted more people than most individuals do in a lifetime.  Chloe’s picture has been on the big screen in Times Square as part of the National Down Syndrome Society awareness video, and she has been written about in several papers. Chloe met Governor Palin and Senator McCain twice during the campaign and my official name has become “Chloe’s Dad.” 

Chloe attends her neighborhood elementary school, and her teachers frequently comment that the kids are drawn to her. As a family we meet with new and expecting parents of children with Down Syndrome to congratulate them and show them the goodness waiting for them.  There are many challenges and valleys to navigate when blessed with a child with a disability, but the rewards are priceless when you are able to disconnect from this frenzied world and see the glimpse of Heaven these children offer. 

I have become so upset by the movement to abort children with Down Syndrome that I started a site http://sadsin.blogspot.com/ to educate people about this eugenic movement.  Instead of the kangaroo rat I wish we could monitor children with Down Syndrome from outer space because they truly are a priceless gift from God who remind us in this self-centered world that serving others is much more rewarding than serving ourselves.

 

Guest columns do not necessarily reflect the views of Accuracy in Media or its staff.

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