Day #18 of this series addresses the impact that the TV show Life Goes On had on our family.

Life Goes On first aired in September of 1989 and ran through May of 1993.  Our family couldn’t have been more excited to watch this show each week (and Tyler, the high school hunk, was not hard on the eyes either, especially for my 7th-10th grade self).  But mainly we liked this show because of the character of Corky; the Thatcher’s son who had Down Syndrome.  We could relate to this show and it was such a blessing to us.  It was meaningful to us and for us; allowing others to see the life, joy and struggles, of a family like this– like ours.

As I mentioned before Brian got to see Chris Burke (the actor who played
Corky) at Special Olympics.  Chris was an inspiration to Brian.  After watching Life Goes On Brian asked, “Do I have Down Syndrome?”

Our youngest sister, Singing Sis, said she had Down Syndrome when people asked her why she talked funny (when she was young she had trouble pronouncing her r’s, and wouldn’t you know she had an “r” in her first name).

I remember wondering if I had a disability, or might acquire one, and was paranoid that everyone knew, but no one was telling me about it.

My childhood friend and I love the movie Beaches.  We wrote letters to each other using the main characters’ names from the movie.  I was CC and she was Hillary. Brian loved this movie too and the song Wind Beneath My Wings from it.

So, imagine our delight when the song was part of an episode on Life Goes On.  My sisters and I all sing, and Brian has always been right there supporting us (and sometimes singing with us- off key at times, but with lots of passion).

In the episode in which this song aired, Corky kept crashing the car during Driver’s Training.  He just couldn’t figure out how to drive and was very frustrated.  He wanted to be more independent. His mom had given up her dream of being on Broadway when Corky was born and he felt like a burden to her.  She sings to him at the end of this episode and affirms that she made the right choice to raise him and love him…we were all in tears.  I’ll end with a short clip from this tender moment.

Deep Breaths:  Parents of those with special needs give up a lot to raise and love their children; but there are also blessed with great gain, a big measure of grace, and the rich blessing of not living for themselves.  May you be encouraged today knowing that God is El Roi (the God Who Sees).  He knows all about your challenges, your fears, and your hopes- He is able to uphold you as you walk this road.  May you live and rest under His wings.

Psalm 91:4  “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”