by Bill Conger
Having a child with Down syndrome is nothing to feel sorry about. It’s a blessing. That’s the passionate message Smith County couple Andy and Courtney West believe in as their son, Beckett, age 5, is the Face of the Race for the 5 Annual 3.21Run4DS race coming up October 5 in Liberty, TN.
The Wests learned of Beckett’s diagnosis when she was 28 weeks pregnant.
“It was definitely not the news we wanted to hear,” says Courtney West. But, the mother of two makes it clear — she offers no condolences to someone who hears their child has DS, only congratulations.
“There is nothing to be sorry about,” she says. “Congratulate them on being blessed with a wonderful baby that will accomplish wonderful things.”
Beckett, who counts his brother Keaton, age 9, Keaton’s friend, Maddux, first cousin Nora and his classmates as friends, attends Pre-K at Carthage Elementary School three days a week and the Fun Factory Child Care the other two days of the week.
“One of my concerns when Beckett started school was “Would people treat him differently or would they be mean to him?” Mrs. West said. “That has not been our experience so far. Beckett is a rock star at school. Everyone seems to know him and goes out of their way to talk to him. Keaton’s friends always make an effort to play with him and give him a hug!”
Andy, the VP- Office Manager at the Carthage branch of Wilson Bank & Trust and Courtney, accountant at Companion CPA Group in Cookeville, knew little about Down Syndrome at first but became quick studies. Still, DS wasn’t the Wests’ top concern. They learned their precious bundle of joy also faced a congenital heart defect, AVSD, which required open heart surgery.
Following up with the cardiologist every couple of years is just one of many extra responsibilities the young couple juggles in their lives. Beckett goes to Dynamic Therapy Center once a week for Occupational and Physical Therapy, and he receives Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapies at Carthage Elementary School. Beckett has hypothyroidism that necessitates a trip to the Endocrinologist two to three times per year. Each year they visit the Down Syndrome Clinic at Vanderbilt.
Life for the strong-willed little boy is certainly much more than medical.
“He LOVES baseball,” his mom says. “Baseball is life at our house. We watch the Atlanta Braves every night, and we watch the movie, The Perfect Game, when the Braves are not playing. We play baseball inside and outside of the house.”
So, it’s little surprise perhaps that Beckett would like to be a baseball player or photographer when he grows up. In the meantime he likes to greet people wherever he goes, making them laugh and showcasing his “goofy personality.”
Beckett and his family will be putting on their race shoes for the 5th Annual 5K and Fun Run for Down Syndrome Awareness on Saturday, October 5 at 8:00 a.m. at DeKalb West School, located at 101 Bulldog Lane in Liberty.
“Individuals with Down syndrome have hopes and dreams just like anyone else and are capable of reaching those,” says Beckett’s mother. The diagnosis of DS does not limit what they are capable of.”
Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all. More than 400,000 people are living with Down syndrome in the United States.
Cost for the 5K Run/Walk is $25 if you sign up before September 27. It cost $15 to register for the Fun Run/Walk before October 2, and $25 for the Virtual 5K. For more information contact the race director at 321Run4DS@gmail.com.
The 3.21 Run for Down Syndrome will be held at DeKalb West School. Race day registration begins at 6:45 a.m. and the race begins at 8:00 a.m. on October 5. You can learn more about the 3.21Run4DS at http://www.321run4ds.org.
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