Embracing our Differences: From Abandoned to Thriving
Cooper Murray, at just 12 years old, has already graced seven MLB stadiums, wowing crowds across the nation while throwing out ceremonial first pitches to baseball legends. His contagious energy fills ballparks and inspires thousands. His performances have been featured on news outlets like NBC Nightly and Fox & Friends, with a resounding demand for more.
While Cooper may sound like one lucky boy experiencing an MLB journey many young boys only dream about, this journey carries a far more profound meaning than just a chance, exciting opportunity. At just 6 months old, Cooper was abandoned on a street corner in a city of 14 million people due to his Down syndrome diagnosis. Worldwide, around 3,000 - 5,000 children are born each year with Down syndrome. We currently face a global crisis of families terminating pregnancies with Down syndrome diagnoses, giving up their uniquely abled children, or simply abandoning them, just like Cooper.
Why does this happen? Why are innocent children forced to endure orphanages, institutions, homelessness, or at times not even given a chance to breathe their first breath?
Simply stated — fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of being unable to care for a uniquely abled child, fear of what their life might amount to, fear of how the world will view them—all thoughts racing through a new parent's mind. When RODS Heroes founders, Brady & Andrea Murray, welcomed their first baby boy, Nash, they described the experience as the most terrifying, yet overwhelmingly magical moment of their lives. Brady shared,
"We didn't know Nash would be born with Down syndrome at the time he was born, and we weren’t prepared, but it quickly became one of the greatest blessings in our life."
The Murrays embraced the birth of their baby boy, encouraging Nash through every milestone, finding joy in every interaction, and nurturing a family environment where Nash was not only allowed to live his life happily but encouraged to reach his fullest potential.
Fast forward a few years, the Murrays came across a television documentary detailing the pandemic of which we speak. Thousands of children with Down syndrome were abandoned, left with adults in mental institutions, and the Murrays knew they needed to get involved. After seeing a bright-eyed boy being showcased by an adoption agency, the Murrays had found their child meant to be theirs. Cooper was brought home at just 4 years old, after living his first four years in an orphanage in China.
While adoption is beautiful and provides children with the opportunity to grow up in a loving home and family, what sets the Murrays apart is their desire and willingness to honor Cooper’s differences by encouraging him to succeed. Often, what we see with Down syndrome and other disabilities is a fear of what that child is capable of. The Murrays recognized Cooper's differences but chose not to guide his life under the idea that a child with a disability is less likely to succeed in comparison to their typical counterparts. They had seen how their son, Nash, excelled in every area of his life. He not only was excelling, but they also recognized the superpower that his Down syndrome brought not only to his life, but to everyone who came into contact with him.
When Cooper requested to play baseball with his typically developing brothers, Brady described his feelings at the time:
"I was scared at first about how he would perform, how other kids would treat him, and what other parents would say. However, allowing him to play on a typical team proved all of these fears wrong and helped Cooper's athletic talents flourish.
Cooper has now thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at over seven MLB stadiums, with more planned, in front of thousands. He not only shows other children with Down syndrome what they're capable of but also demonstrates to parents, grandparents, friends, family, teachers, and others not to underestimate a child with Down syndrome. We must teach and guide our children to be the best versions of themselves. If we believe they cannot accomplish anything great, we are doing them the ultimate disservice.
Our message is simple: if we believe a child with Down syndrome is incapable of something, they will be incapable. However, if we remove this fear, and instead teach and show them just how capable they are, then they will be capable. It's crucial to focus on their unique strengths and abilities rather than perceived limitations. Providing appropriate resources, education, and opportunities for growth can make a world of difference. Every child, regardless of their genetic makeup, deserves the chance to explore their interests, develop skills, and contribute to society in meaningful ways. By challenging societal prejudices and promoting inclusivity, we can create a more compassionate world where individuals with Down syndrome are valued, respected, and thriving.
The byproduct of demonstrating what children with Down syndrome can achieve will show the world why terminating pregnancies with a Down syndrome diagnosis is unnecessary, why abandoning a child with Down syndrome is unwarranted, and why these children deserve loving, forever families. We hope to continue to spread awareness of our mission at RODS Heroes of inspiring families to adopt children with Down syndrome or other unique circumstances with the amazing help from children like Cooper and the Murray family.
