Essay Contest Winners 2007

2007 RTL Essay
By Grace Moore
Grade 7

Perfect

What if everyone were perfect? If there were only people with perfect bodies, perfect brains, perfect everything, it would be pretty boring. That is why it is extremely imperative for us to cherish, protect, help and love the people that are not perfect with all our hearts.

If everyone were perfect, there would be no Maddie. He was not perfect. He was the boy with muscular dystrophy who Oprah Winfrey had on her show to discuss the books of poetry he had written, the souls he touched, and the difference he made on Earth in his short life. My grandfather is not perfect either. He has Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. It’s like Parkinson’s Disease but worse. He can’t walk very well anymore; he has trouble eating, he chokes a lot and it is very difficult to understand him when he speaks. My grandfather has taught me about having a great spirit when things are not that good. He smiles all the time. That teaches me how to live my life, with a smile. My grandfather also loves my family with all his heart, even though he could be filled with frustration and resentment.

Disabled children like Maddie teach others to love and to hate no one. Maddie said he was praying for everyone in the world when, clearly, he was the one who should have been asking for prayers. His courage and love has touched me. He asked for nothing, he just found love in giving. My grandpa never complains. He is happy to just see us. I cherish my time with him. He has taught me to be positive, spirited, and to love and respect everyone. He has also taught me patience. I am sure the boy I saw in Church has had a hard time in his everyday life, having many struggles that just seem second nature to us. But, what struck me was how happy he was just to be in there with God in Church. I take this for granted. These are people who have taught me about hope, faith, and love. They have taught me every moment I’ve been with them. They are the souls who, freed from their sick bodies, will rise up to be right next to Jesus.

We mustn’t stare at disabled people. We must help them when they need it. We must learn more about their disabilities. We must protect their rights and their spirits. Most of all, we must cherish them. For they are what makes our world a little more perfect!

2007 RTL Essay
By  A.J. Gorsage
Grade 8

A Face Created in the Image of God

Think about God’s creation. Does everything fit perfectly together? One quick glance at all of the evil on earth today could easily make one laugh at this question. Although the world doesn’t appear to fit perfectly together, God created all of mankind in His image, deserving of a life with dignity and respect. However, there are some who disagree with this statement. Many people believe that the mentally and physically disabled are only burdens, that the disabled should be aborted while still in the womb or euthanized if circumstances after birth leave them disabled. The devil is trying to disrupt God’s creation by convincing many people to believe that only “normal, healthy” people or those that don’t impose a burden on others should be allowed to enjoy life on earth. As part of God’s creation, we need to protect, help, and cherish the most vulnerable of God’s creation.

I have experienced first hand the mysteries of God’s creation, the beauty and the challenges. My older sister, Alex, was born severely physically and mentally disabled. She is totally dependent upon others for her every need. Watching my parents take care of her, I have realized how physically and emotionally demanding it is, and I do my best to help care for her. Since before I was born, home health aids have come into our home to assist in caring for my sister. Witnessing their sacrifice, I have realized that my family members are not the only ones who love Alex for who she is. These aids care about my sister, making Alex’s life more enjoyable.

Though many families today don’t have members with obvious disabilities, most would probably consider having a disabled person in their family very odd. But I think having Alex as a sister has shown me God’s love in a special way. She has shown me the love we all need to possess, the unconditional love of God and His creation. I love having Alex as a part of my family. She makes my life more joyful, whether it’s her heart-melting smile and laugh or seeing her face light up when she sees her favorite toy. Alex has shown me that one can be happy in whatever situation they are in. Her simplicity, purity, and joy come from God and remind me that sometimes we complicate God’s wonderful plan for us all, His commandment to “love one another as I have loved you”.

Spending time with Alex each day has opened me up and made me more sensitive towards all people with disabilities, physical or mental. My neighbor, Will, contracted spinal meningitis when he was an infant. Today he is ten years old, and he is physically and mentally disabled. When he comes to my house to play with my siblings, sometimes I go outside just to throw a baseball with him or sit down and play dump-trucks in the dirt. If I had not been exposed, through Alex, to this misunderstood world, I don’t know if I would be comfortable enough to just sit and play with him.

Recently, Alex’s picture was put up on a billboard with the caption, “A face created in the image of God… to respect and protect.” Alex is evangelizing just by being on that billboard. Disabled people show us that the ultimate foundation of human existence is Jesus Christ; they are humanity’s privileged witnesses. They teach us all about love that not only saves us, but makes us perfect. I know that Alex, Will, and many other disabled people will enjoy things in heaven that they could not on earth because of God’s overflowing love for them.

2007 RTL Essay
By John-Andrew O’Rourke
Grade 9

Appreciate and Defend

Aiding Persons with Disabilities

Sitting in a dimly lit room, Dr. Hancock gazed intently at the sonogram image flashing before him. As his nurse suspected, the unborn girl had Down’s syndrome. Turning somberly, he revealed the situation to the eager, first-time parents, Mr. and Mrs. Keller. Explaining that the “fetus is defective” he quietly recommended they ‘terminate the pregnancy.’

As we can see, our decidedly utilitarian culture views persons with disabilities as valueless. Since they are not capable of contributing to humanity in the way most do, they are disregarded. However, we as Christians know that since God created them in His own image and likeness, they do indeed have value and a purpose. God yearns for us to unveil that purpose.

The mentally and physically disabled are persons with immortal souls. Their ultimate destiny, like all humanity’s is to take their thrones in heaven as princes or princesses of the kingdom. However, God has also sent them to teach us some important lessons in life.

Christ said that if one wished to enter the kingdom of heaven, he must become like a child. Through persons with handicaps, we witness childlike dependence. Since they often cannot provide for themselves, they learn to rely on others. This dependence in the physical life directly relates to our own dependence in the spiritual life. We can do nothing without God. However, when we trust, He quickly comes to our aid. Then, all things are possible.

Persons with handicaps also teach us to love the gift of life for its own sake. In them, we distinguish a glimpse of life’s simplicity and its beauty, and so we learn to love it selflessly. This selfless love shows us that life is not about what others can do for us, but what we can do for others. When we help persons with handicaps by anticipating their needs or guiding them along the path to their supernatural inheritance, we discover these lessons of God.

We know that persons with disabilities have value but our society is often blind to this worth. Subsequently, it attacks persons with disabilities by euthanasia. We must take a stand in their defense. But how can we, who do not hold public office or some influential position, make a difference?

We can make an enormous difference by praying simultaneously for the perpetrators of the attack, for persons with disabilities themselves, and for their caregivers. The most powerful prayers are the Mass, the Rosary, and the offering up of our own suffering. One can never overestimate the worth of prayer and sacrifice.

Another way we protect persons with disabilities is by influencing minds. When we deliberately alter our language and refer to someone as a ‘person with a disability,’ not a ‘disabled person’ we help others see that the value of life precedes the state in life. One’s state in life does not determine his humanity. An additional tool of powerful influence is the Internet. If we pass along moving stories revealing the dignity of persons with disabilities, we instill their true image in the minds of others. A final tool of influence is our own actions. When we cherish persons with handicaps by serving them as Christ served us, with willingness and charity, we set an example that can truly win minds and hearts, because it is Christ’s own example.

Mrs. Keller turned slowly from her husband to the doctor. “Thank you,” she said, “but…abortion…is not an option. God gave us this life for a reason, and He wants us to discover that reason.”

2007 RTL Essay
By Katie Dapper
Grade 11

Live & Learn

Get good grades, work out to maintain a physically fit body, wear designer clothes, drive the fastest sports car; these are some of the standards of success in American society.  Achieving these qualities is not attainable for many people in society with physical or intellectual disabilities.  Does that mean that this percentage of the population has nothing to offer society?  The answer is a definite NO.  Physically and intellectually disabled individuals deserve protection, help and support from society because they have many life lessons to teach.

Just because a person looks or sounds different does not mean that they are not worthy of basic respect.  Most public buildings are designed to accommodate those with physical disabilities, but it is the responsibility of all Americans to be advocates for those who may not be able to speak for themselves.  One way to better understand those with special needs is to “put yourself in their shoes.”  Try to imagine what it would be like to live with a physical or intellectual disability and anticipate possible necessities.  One overwhelming challenge the physically disabled face is the high cost of medical care.  On behalf of the disabled, it is society’s responsibility to persuade lawmakers to provide assistance to those who need financial help.

Another common situation faced by the disabled is feelings of isolation because of their differences.  It is the task of society to act upon the Golden Rule and “treat others the way you would have them treat you.”  Jesus said that the greatest one is he who serves others.  The disabled provide an opportunity for society to act upon the teachings of Jesus.  By attending to the needs of others it becomes obvious that there are many more important things in life than designer clothes and expensive cars.  The rewards that come from serving others are worth more than winning the lottery.

People who live with a disability can teach many priceless lessons.  Common activities of daily living can be a struggle.  A strong character and positive attitude are necessary to make it through each day.  Those with disabilities are constant reminders that endurance and perseverance are essential in life.  It is easy to see the face of Jesus in the disabled because, through His suffering, He also exhibited those characteristics.

American society is often materialistic and overlooks core values.  God’s plan is a mystery.  The lessons taught by the disabled are key to unraveling the unknown tapestry of life.  Every human life is valuable and has a purpose in God’s plan.  It is the obligation of American society to recognize the important role of the disabled and help and cherish them at every stage of life.