‘The Clowns Of God’…Ready To Teach Us When We Are Ready

Down Syndrome…something we fear, and yet more and more we are wising up to the gifts that many of these children are.

I have written several articles about Down Syndrome, and today, for some reason, as I was out walking, Morris West’s wonderful book, ‘The Clowns Of God’, leapt into my mind. It was some twenty years ago that I read it.

Back in the nineteen eighties, I met a couple who were unable to have children. The woman’s sister had just given birth to a little girl with Down Syndrome. She didn’t want to keep her, and so, the couple offered to adopt the child.

One of the first gifts they received from a friend was, not a piece of clothing, not a toy, but a book, ‘The Clowns Of God’, which she later shared with me.

It’s a fictional novel, of course, about Jesus coming back to earth during a period of great uncertainty…not unlike the uncertainty we are living through right now.

Not everyone recognized him as Jesus, and at one point, when he was visiting a school for children with Down Syndrome, he spoke to those around:

‘I know what you are thinking. You need a sign. What better one could I give but to make this little one whole and new? I could do it, but I will not. I am the Lord and not a conjurer. I gave this mite a gift I denied to all of you — eternal innocence. To you she looks imperfect — but to me she is flawless, like the bud that dies unopened or the fledgling that falls from the nest to be devoured by ants. She will never offend me, as all of you have done. She will never pervert or destroy the work of my Father’s hands. She is necessary to you. She will evoke the kindness that will keep you human. Her infirmity will prompt you to gratitude for your own good fortune … More! She will remind you every day that I am who I am, that my ways are not yours, and that the smallest dust mite whirled in the darkest spaces does not fall out of my hand … I have chosen you.

You have not chosen me.

This little one is my sign to you.

Treasure her!’

Such beautiful words…she will evoke the kindness that will keep you human. Her infirmity will prompt you to gratitude for your own good fortune.

It’s fiction, yes, but a lesson for us all, for the truth is, rather than treasure Down children, rather than working with potential they might have, instead many have seen Down children as pathetic parcels of humanity, and objects of shame or ridicule.

And often there’s pity for the parents!

Yes we have stopped institutionalizing them, fewer abortions are on offer, but there’s still that voice of pity when a pronouncement is made…sorry, but your child does indeed, have Down Syndrome.

There tends to be little celebration, and yet, these babies have so much to offer, huge amounts of inbuilt joy, if we take time to get to know them, and give them a chance.

Two colleagues of mine each had a Down child. One of them, already with six children, just happened upon a story about a little boy whose parents had chosen not to take him home. The story had been written in the hope that someone might read it and find a place in their heart to adopt the child.

As I said, with six children already, she had no need for an extra child. Still, she gathered her family around her and asked what they thought.

Needless to say the little boy was absorbed into their family, a family of gifted children, where he was loved, and where he in turn, loved them.

But it was more than that. Sam was not treated differently from the other children. From the time he was old enough to understand, they had expectations of him, to put his toys away, blow his nose, (not easy), display good table manners, not to argue when it was time for bed. He was also taught what behavior was private, and not to be done in public…things like pulling his pants down at will.

He was a bundle of fun. With six siblings Sam could not have been more fortunate. He went to school with all the bravado and confidence of a regular preschool child, and was instantly loved by students and teachers alike.

At his pace, he learned to read and write, with picture help, and these days, is able to read bus timetables, and travel to work independently.

Down Syndrome may have been his diagnosis, but one of his greatest attributes even today, is helping his friends to smile when they are feeling ‘down’.

Another colleague also had five children, and her sixth child was Down. When her children were going through the terrible teen years, she told me, ‘I never have to worry about him. He never back-chats, I know where he is each night, and he calls me Princess. I am blessed.’

Attitudes to people with Down Syndrome are surely changing, and we have expectations for many of them to live a rich and fulfilling life. But there is still much to be down, barriers to be broken down, and though this is happening, perhaps not quickly enough.

The trouble with attitudes to children with Down Syndrome is too many still judge them by their diagnosis, and in doing that, overlook their abilities and potential.

People with Down Syndrome now live at home, some independently, and through intervention and education: ‘Their IQs have increased 20 points and the overwhelming majority will learn how to read and write. Most are attending public school and some are graduating with a typical degree, as with this impressive young woman!

Things are looking up for these once-neglected people, and that is because people were prepared to fight for their rights.

‘They have NOT been made because of our government’s investment into basic, clinical or developmental research for people with Down syndrome.’

• When the National Institute of Health does not fund research that will improve the lives of people with Down Syndrome at a comparable level as other conditions or diseases, that is discrimination.
• When the local service provider refuses to service people with Down Syndrome because they live too close together (i.e. Not in My Neighborhood legislation), that is discrimination.
• When a medical professional tells you that the chronic throat, eye, or whatever condition your child has is “just Down Syndrome” and sends you home without proper medical care, that is discrimination.
• When an educator tells you that their public school is “not a good fit for your child with Down Syndrome”, that is discrimination AND illegal.

We wouldn’t change them for the world, but it would be great if the world’s attitude could change for them.

Below please find another few articles I have written on disability.