Stories of Wil: A positive story

Wil in third grade at the annual “Buddy Walk” with friends and his teacher, Mrs. Heather Stommen.

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.

Wil’s third grade year was one of his best. He had developed a strong peer group with friends he had known since Kindergarten. His third grade teacher, Mrs. Heather Stommen, and paraprofessional, Mrs. Kimberly Clore, were professional, supportive, caring and understanding. Though there was a clear gap in abilities between Wil and his friends, they had all grown with that gap. Wil’s friends were Wil’s friends; no matter their differences.

I was relaying the many positive experiences we were having in Mrs. Stommen’s classroom to a family friend. I was told in response, “You know, it’s going to get harder.” I’ve always remembered that comment. Because at that time, having the many positive experiences we did wasn’t synonymous with those experiences being easy. When Wil didn’t want to work, he would hide under a table and refuse to come out. Or he may plop himself on the floor refusing to move. There were a few boys who tried to get Wil to say and do things that he shouldn’t (which was quickly discovered by his teachers and put an end to).

Though these barriers in communication existed, and we worked through them, there were multiple wonderful aspects to that year. It was a year when the gap between Wil and his peers was starting to show, and also a year where I saw the friends who respected that gap. Though he may have run a bit slower on the playground, that didn’t stop a game of tag, of ball, or of going down the slide. They all adjusted and adapted together. And by all the smiles and laughs from their games, there was no slowdown in their fun.

Wil is in seventh grade now and my friend’s prophecy has become true. It is harder in certain ways. But we have all grown with those ways. I was never looking for easy; I threw easy out the window a long time ago. Oh, but I have so many more stories to tell. Stories of tears turned to triumphs. Stories of frustrations turned into deeper understanding. Stories of reaching in so I may better reach out. Stories of a village, built upon these foundations, that prospers.

A story of full of positive experiences doesn’t equate to a story free of challenges. A story built on a positive foundation doesn’t equate to a foundation of ease. Rather, it is a story of gratitude for where you are because of where you’ve been. It is a story of triumph for having endured the tears. It is a story of a deeper understanding for your growth over time. It is a story of respect for the village that surrounds you despite those that do not.

It is a story built step-by-step with love, faith, and gratitude driven deeper by the existence of what is not.

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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.