By Susan Ciancio
Last week, we read the devastating and heartbreaking news that a YouTuber named Jesse Ridgway and his wife aborted their son because he had Down syndrome. Ridgway came out a few days later with the comment, “I’m glad my dad didn’t f–ing terminate me, but I’m normal.”
Wow. This callous remark, preceded by his and his wife’s actions, shows just how distorted the minds of many in our society have become.
Our dignity does not come from our accomplishments, from our abilities, or from our outward appearance. This warped view of life fails to acknowledge that we all have dignity and value simply because we are all human beings created in the image and likeness of God.
It’s difficult to imagine a couple being so hard-hearted that they actually believe this. But the reality is right before us, and sadly, many people do have the utilitarian view of society that people are only worthy if they are “useful” or if they can contribute something meaningful.
They fail to see that everyone can contribute something meaningful.
That’s why our job as parents is so important, and that’s why we at the Culture of Life Studies Program teach the inherent dignity of all people to children as young as preschool.
It’s not a difficult concept to teach. Nor is it a difficult concept for little ones to understand. It’s only as kids grow older that they succumb to the distortions of the world. But if they have an educational foundation that teaches them the truth about the sanctity of life, they will be more likely to take these truths with them into their adult years.
All of our booklets teach the sanctity of life, but one of our favorites specifically teaches the beauty of those with Down syndrome and other challenges.
All Shapes and Sizes teaches kids in kindergarten through second grade that the value of every human being exists because we are all made in the image and likeness of God. This booklet discusses Down syndrome, autism, the beauty of the elderly, and the fact that it’s okay to be different. It puts kids in the shoes of family members and of the person himself to help them see how that person feels and to illustrate their value.
These are crucial concepts to teach to children when they are small. Kids naturally believe that the world revolves around them, so teaching that there’s a wide world out there filled with people of different abilities and that everyone deserves respect and love is a concept best taught when they are small. The more they are exposed to the beauty of all people, the more likely it becomes that they look past differences on the outside and see what’s inside.
This is how we create children who are empathetic and who stand up for the vulnerable. This is how we build courage in little ones so that they maintain that courage as they grow. This is how we show that “normal” is a subjective character trait and that people should be loved simply because of who they are.
So let us take time to reflect on the child lost, on the parents who felt he wasn’t worthy of continuing to live, and on the fact that our responsibility is to speak out when we can and to teach our children to do the same. People do come in all shapes and sizes, and no one is more valuable than another. We are all loved and cherished by God, we all have unique gifts, and we all deserve protection. We know this. Now let us teach this valuable lesson to our children.