Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a Happy Feat, and

Bonds of friendship, household, and a shared mission to change the world, is the subject of this week’s Feel-Good Friday.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, to champion, advocate, and continue to raise awareness for those born with that further Trisomy-21 chromosome. This genetic condition is seen less and less in the broader world because with early prenatal screening that acknowledges this condition, ladies in other international locations select to abort their kids. However, the United States sees around 5,000 infants each yr born with Down syndrome. 

President Donald Trump issued a presidential proclamation to honor Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and to honor the lives of those residing with it and their households. It reads, in half:

We have fun the extraordinary people residing with Down syndrome who carry pleasure, surprise, and which means to the world — and we lengthen our heartfelt gratitude to the households and caregivers who navigate the challenges and blessings of raising kids with developmental disabilities with unconditional love. 

The United States is the outlier in this because not all pregnant ladies select the screenings that would acknowledge a Trisomy-21 defect. And many pro-life pregnant ladies, like former Alaska Governor and Republican VP candidate, Sarah Palin, select the life of their little one, no matter what the end result or circumstance.  

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Advancements in prenatal screening have enabled early detection of genetic situations like Down syndrome. But in some components of the world, this progress has quietly led to the near-eradication of people with the condition — long before beginning.

In Iceland, around 85% of expectant moms bear first-trimester genetic screening. Nearly 100% of those who obtain a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome select to terminate the being pregnant. Only two or three infants with the condition are born there each yr.

Denmark experiences a termination charge of over 95%. In France, it’s around 77%. These numbers have sparked concern among ethicists and incapacity advocates, who warn of a troubling cultural shift: one that frames the existence of incapacity as undesirable — and preventable.

What a tragedy. I’ve identified a number of individuals who had been born with Down syndrome, the bulk now adults. They are some of the most inventive, humorous, and loving people I’ve ever met. Their loyalty and friendship is fierce, and my life is bettered in figuring out them. Advocacy teams just like the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) work to change how the world views the life of people with Down syndrome–and to show that they’re more than succesful and in a position to lead unbiased lives, go to college, maintain down jobs, and even run their own companies. All life has which means, and kids with Down syndrome and their households contribute meaningfully to our communities and our world.

Which brings us to the attractive story of Lucy Carr Evans and Jay Thrasher Carr, who grew to become associates in high college and shaped a bond that would change both their worlds.

Jay and Lucy grew to become associates in high college after Jay expressed his love for her during health club class.

“The first time I met her, I was walking downstairs with my headphones, my CD player, and my golden shoes. I went downstairs, and there she was on the floor. I sat next to her and said, “I love you,” said Jay.

If you have not figured it out, Jay was born with Down syndrome. The fierce and unapologetic love, along with a fearlessness and lack of anxiety that is, sadly, not discovered among genetically average Gen Z and Gen Alpha youth. Evans embraced that love, and she and Jay cast an inseparable friendship. 

“It began with, ‘Can Jay come over? Can Jay hang out for the weekend?’ and then, ‘Can Jay come for the day?’” Lucy said.

Their casual school hangouts evolved into Jay regularly visiting after school and joining them for dinner.

Over time, he began spending weekends with them and eventually stayed for extended periods.

During their senior year, Evans learned that Jay’s mother was moving out of state. Lucy Evans immediately wanted Jay to stay and be a part of her family. 

“Lucy was a high school senior when she came to talk to me about Jay one day,” said Dawn. “She said his mom was moving away, and that he could go live with his dad, but Jay wanted to live with us instead because he said we would love him more than anyone. Lucy said she was taking him to live with her in Tuscaloosa where she was heading to college. I said, ‘No, you’re not!’”

Dawn and her husband, who, coincidentally, is also named Jay, welcomed the youthful Jay into their household, which incorporates 4 grown kids, including Lucy, and a grandchild. Dawn said Jay is adored in their home and is understood in all places he goes for his joyful, lovable demeanor.

That was back in 2013. In 2020, Jay was formally adopted by the Lucy’s mom and father. While in high college, Lucy was impressed to start an group called, “Happy Feat.”

Happy Feat is a nonprofit group that presents a day program for adults and kids with particular wants, offering them with post-school alternatives to study life and neighborhood expertise.

It goals to tackle the problem of restricted transportation and job alternatives for people who have aged out of conventional schooling, offering neighborhood engagement, occasional work choices, and social actions to construct friendships.

Twelve years later, Lucy Evans still runs the group, alongside Nicole Short, another childhood BFF. A filmmaker named David Hughens, who is also a household buddy, was so taken by Lucy and Jay’s story that he determined to write a movie about their bond. Hughens wrote Made with Love in just two weeks, and he began crowdfunding in 2022 to have the movie made. Hughens has submitted the script to festivals around the world and it has received 40 awards, including the “Best Script” award in France, Singapore, India, and Italy.

Jay’s life, a life that some would say shouldn’t have been allowed to be, has remodeled the lives of people past what he’ll even know. Hughens has partnered with RODS Heroes, an group that encourages adoptive mother and father to contemplate taking in kids with Down syndrome, and has produced featurettes with some of these households; they highlight the enjoyment of people with Down syndrome and why they need to be championed and celebrated, not extinguished.

Here is a clip from a featurette about Lucy and Jay, and their unbelievable, transformative friendship.

WATCH:

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