“The Value of a Single Human Life”
“In Sweden they have successfully eradicated down syndrome”
Roland Laverty, grade 12
Chittenden County
“In Sweden they have successfully eradicated down syndrome.”
In 10th grade biology class I remember sitting in my chair, stunned as I replayed in my mind what my teacher’s video had just told my class. I was shocked. For the next 30 minutes all I could do was fight the tears that treacherously fled down my chin. I had thought about abortion before, and even spoken out against it, but this moment hit me harder than anything ever had before. Sweden had “eradicated” my brother and they were proud of it? It perplexed me. My 12-year old brother Gus is a light in my life like no other. He has always been loved by pretty much everybody he meets and his complete lack of self-consciousness is inspiring. I don’t know what my family would do without him.
Gus is funny with his love. He doesn’t love everyone he meets, but everyone he meets loves him. Let me give you an example: At the church I go to, we have food after mass and Gus will go up to greet some people and he’ll shy away from other people, but everyone smiles at him and waves. Why? If I was getting rejected I feel like I’d get pretty mad, but here’s the thing: even when Gus ignores some people he brings everyone together. When he skips over someone, they usually end up laughing with other people. His approach is disarming, and somehow really effective. I have never met anyone who doesn’t love Gus.
Speaking of falling in love, Gus has asked me to marry him several times. I know what you’re thinking: “So why aren’t you married? He’s given you plenty of time.” He has asked me to marry him in front of friends and relatives without batting an eye, meanwhile I’m beet red and trying to explain to him how that isn’t possible. It’s definitely a little embarrassing but it’s also something I deeply admire about Gus. He is completely unafraid of embarrassment and has almost no self-consciousness. I have often wondered what the world would be if everyone was this confident in themselves. Imagine a world where no one is afraid to profess their love, not afraid to ask for a raise, not afraid to stand up for what they think is right. That is a world that I would be proud to be a part of.
So why is every human life so important? This is what I came up with: We’re all different. I’m not like Gus, and he’s not like me, but both of us are a part of God’s plan. As I sat crying in that biology classroom I found it so tragic that some people didn’t understand the power of kids like my brother. The world is better with him in it. The world is better with all of us in it. Every human life has a place in God’s plan. That’s what makes it so beautiful.
