I have some very special friends with a little extra vivacity, a little extra compassion, and an extra chromosome. This extra chromosome twenty-one has inspired me to live a life of purpose and significance. Over the past three years, I have had the opportunity to serve the disabled, ill, and their families through volunteering at Wiser Women’s Hospital and Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital. I have also had the opportunity to specifically serve special needs adults and children through YoungLife FunLife, and YoungLife Capernaum. My friends with special needs and disabilities have inspired me to pursue a career devoted to understanding and researching genetic disorders with the hope of someday improving their quality of life. When I was a child, my mother always referred to the children and adults at my church or school as “special.” The word special is so significant because special needs friends have so much value.
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Capernaum gives young people with developmental and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience adventures, meet new people, make lasting friendships, and push themselves to new limits. Every second of this week was precious. To be able to lead kids with specials needs out into new experiences and new relationships is priceless. One of the campers in my cabin, Lizzie, had Down Syndrome, and she changed my perspective about life. I went to Capernaum with the purpose of serving special needs children and adults. Consequently, these people blessed my life. One of my favorite memories with Lizzie was watching her go down the water slide. Lizzie went down the slide at least ten times a day, and each time she went down she was simultaneously smiling from ear to ear, screaming, and laughing. Each time she went down the slide she was scintillating with total joy, and all I could think was, “Why can I not have that much fun on a water
Capernaum gives young people with developmental and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience adventures, meet new people, make lasting friendships, and push themselves to new limits. Every second of this week was precious. To be able to lead kids with specials needs out into new experiences and new relationships is priceless. One of the campers in my cabin, Lizzie, had Down Syndrome, and she changed my perspective about life. I went to Capernaum with the purpose of serving special needs children and adults. Consequently, these people blessed my life. One of my favorite memories with Lizzie was watching her go down the water slide. Lizzie went down the slide at least ten times a day, and each time she went down she was simultaneously smiling from ear to ear, screaming, and laughing. Each time she went down the slide she was scintillating with total joy, and all I could think was, “Why can I not have that much fun on a water