Stories of Wil: True Victories

Christie Taylor with Wil at a Cooper’s Fun Run/Walk, a benefit for special education students, several years ago.

submitted by Christie Taylor

Wil is a 13-year-old boy with Down syndrome. He is the little brother, by 20 months, to twin sisters, Katherine and Elizabeth. Wil’s mom, Christie, knew very little about Down syndrome when Wil was diagnosed shortly after his birth. It didn’t take long for Christie to realize how enriching life with Down syndrome is. Embracing this newfound life, Christie was compelled to share her experiences with Wil. Christie’s desire, in sharing these stories, is to promote an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the amazing capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome.

It was late spring. The high sun cleared the clouds to end a chilly week. Entering the Hudson Mills Metropark, I walked under a large banner for The Annual Cooper’s Fun Run/Walk. The 5k event, the loops around the park, is held for students in the special education programs of local Washtenaw County schools.

I found Wil, along with his special education teachers, and friends, at a picnic table with a Manchester Community Schools sign staked next to it. Gold balloons tied to the table sparkled in the sun, and brown sack lunches and party-size bags of chips were piled up for after the walk.

Excitement ran high as the many students, educators and families lined up at the head of the paved trail. A bullhorn rang out to commence the walk. We started off slow, in a sea of walkers. As the crowd spread out, Wil sprinted ahead in excitement. Then, a short time later, Wil tired and tried to sit. The entirety of the 5k was a mix of Wil’s sprinting ahead and sitting back. I couldn’t help but laugh to myself as this was a mirror of our daily life.

When Wil was a baby, I declared he would have full inclusion in the classroom, earn a high school diploma, and go on to college. I continue to hold high hopes for Wil, though it is clear he will not earn a high school diploma. He will earn a Certificate of Completion. I do have every expectation that Wil will take adapted college courses. Wil is in the seventh grade and is reading at a second-grade level. When Wil was a baby, that may have been hard for me to accept. I may have believed someone wasn’t doing their job. Now I know the dedication behind Wil reading at the level he is. When I see Wil pick up a menu, read it and order for himself, I couldn’t be prouder.

When he was a baby, there is no way I could have known the many steps taken to get Wil where he is today. I had to take those steps with him. One day after another. As Wil grew older, it was clear he did his best learning with math and reading in the resource room rather than in the general classroom. In the resource room, Wil has the one-on-one attention he needs. Wil has full inclusion with his typical peers in gym, science and social studies.

With Wil’s learning, there are multiple stops. His educators and I then sit with Wil and attempt multiple new ideas until we uncover what works to advance his learning. You can almost feel the wind in your face every with every surge forward.

When Wil crosses the finish line of a milestone, to some, he may be dismissed as behind. But for those of us that have walked every step of the way with him, we celebrate the truth of his victory. It is a feeling of celebration deeper than any win I’ve ever known.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.