Gulf Coast Family

by Joy and Jerry Lancaster

We would like to introduce you to a little girl who is very special to us. Her name is Katie and she is our third-born grandchild. All of our grandchildren are so very special to us, but at this Thanksgiving time, we would just like to share with you how we could ALL be more like Katie.

When Katie was born 3 ½ years ago, we were told that she was a Down syndrome baby, and that she had come into this world facing several “obstacles”. The first of these was a serious heart condition that was corrected with open heart surgery at the age of 3 months. Following this, Katie was hospitalized several times for severe breathing problems.

In her second year of life, we would visit her in the hospital, you could still see that sweet smile, even with all the tubes, and oxygen mask. She would greet us with a BIG smile, and would clap her hands.

At this Thanksgiving time, our family is EXTREMELY thankful that Katie has not been hospitalized for almost a year, and she is taking NO medications. When a “disability” such as Down syndrome makes an entrance into your own family, you are suddenly made aware of what a BLESSING a child like Katie can be! I put “ ” around the word DISABILITY because as we watch Katie in her daily activities, we wonder WHO has the disability? She is happy almost all the time, she loves nothing better than just meeting new people, and clapping, laughing, singing, and dancing! We have noticed that she NEVER meets a stranger, and she waves and says “Hi!” to EVERYONE that she passes.

She has been blessed to be in a family with 3 siblings who love her to pieces, and this is truly the best “therapy” that she could have. Recently, our family had a reunion in Daytona Beach. EVERYONE at the hotel knew Katie, and if she was napping, people around the pool would ask where she was. When she woke up, she would make her “grand entrance” waving and calling out “Hi!” to anyone and everyone at the pool, and we all knew that NOW the party could begin!

We have a close friend who has a 5 year old little girl who also has Down syndrome, and when she prays, she always starts by saying, “Hi God, how ya doin”?” How precious is that, and how many of us even think to address our heavenly Father in such an innocent, and unassuming way, and do we REALLY care “how he is doin’?”

Recently there was a news story about a high school girl with Down syndrome who was crowned homecoming queen, and she is so thrilled with her crown that she NEVER takes it off—not even to sleep. At this Thanksgiving time, let’s take time to be thankful for the “simple” things—try to look at the world with a joyful heart—just like our Katie does!