LIVING WITH AN ENDANGERED SPECIES
October Is Month of Rosary, Down Syndrome Awareness
ROME, OCT. 6, 2011 (Zenit.org).- As it happens, I have one of the world's most precious treasures sitting in my own home: an endangered species. Now, if I had a Siberian tiger or a giant tortoise in my living room, there would be animal activists, NGOs and plain old tourists beating down my door to defend its rights, sensitize humanity or just snap a couple photos of my furry, slimy or scaly creature.
My endangered species, however, is a child with Down syndrome. He is indeed the most endangered of all, as he is not even recognized as such. There are 600,000 elephants in Africa, assiduously protected from those who would kill them for a bit of ivory, but only 400,000 Down syndrome people in the United States. Yet while it seems that every newborn panda is front-page news, 92% of unborn children diagnosed with Down syndrome are killed by abortion.
This October marks the 30th anniversary of National Down Syndrome Month, begun in 1981 in the United States to raise awareness about the abilities of people with Down syndrome. In Italy, Oct. 9 is the National Day for Down Syndrome Awareness. In 200 Italian piazzas, volunteers will distribute literature regarding the syndrome -- along with chocolate bars (with us, it's always about the food!)
Italy is indeed a remarkable country for people with Down syndrome, or Trisomy 21 as Dr. Jerome Lejeune named the genetic anomaly that produces the characteristic set of symptoms. Hospitals arrange and organize regular screenings for possible problems known to be associated with Trisomy 21, such as heart defects. There is state-run physical and speech therapy. Schools arrange for Trisomy 21 kids to take classes alongside kids their age. But mostly it is the Italians themselves who are welcoming and loving with Trisomy 21 people, reacting without awkwardness or pity.
Pablo Pineda, the first person in Spain with Trisomy 21 to obtain a university degree, noted in an interview that "Italy is the only European country I know of where things are better for persons with Down syndrome." Chaos and crazed driving aside, the spontaneous warmth that Italians have always shown people with disabilities, always make me love Italy all over again.
Many, many Americans have rallied to the aid of these endangered children. Motorcycle riders in Florida will parade in solidarity this weekend. Austin Ruse, founder and president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, is taking a first-person pro-life stand and biking a hundred kilometers to benefit Best Buddies, an organization that provides friends and support for people with Trisomy 21. TV star Eva Longoria, whose sister has Trisomy 21, has been a long-time activist for the rights and protection of those affected by Down syndrome and will be on the cover of a new Toys R Us guide featuring toys for special needs children.
As the numbers of Trisomy 21 births dwindle and this quiet genocide works its way through the world, there are many ways one can help these endangered children. Best Buddies sponsors walks all over the United States, and the National Association for Down Syndrome proposes several ways to lend a hand. Many expectant mothers who fear raising a Down syndrome child are not aware of how many people would be delighted to adopt these children. Spreading the word about how much these children are desired would save many lives.
But mostly, this October, the month of Mary, mother par excellence, the easiest way to help those with Trisomy 21 is to offer a rosary.
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Elizabeth Lev teaches Christian art and architecture at Duquesne University's Italian campus and University of St. Thomas' Catholic Studies program. She can be reached at lizlev@zenit.org
