DCHS Band is Superior

September 15, 2019
By: Bill Conger

September 15, 2019
By: Bill Conger

Having a child with Down syndrome is nothing to feel sorry about. It’s a blessing. That’s the passionate message Smith County couple Andy and Courtney West believe in as their son, Beckett, age 5, is the Face of the Race for the 5^th Annual 3.21Run4DS race coming up October 5 in Liberty, TN.

The Wests learned of Beckett’s diagnosis when she was 28 weeks pregnant.

“It was definitely not the news we wanted to hear,” says Courtney West. But, the mother of two makes it clear — she offers no condolences to someone who hears their child has DS, only congratulations.

“There is nothing to be sorry about,” she says. “Congratulate them on being blessed with a wonderful baby that will accomplish wonderful things.”

Beckett, who counts his brother Keaton, age 9, Keaton’s friend, Maddux, first cousin Nora and his classmates as friends, attends Pre-K at Carthage Elementary School three days a week and the Fun Factory Child Care the other two days of the week.

“One of my concerns when Beckett started school was “Would people treat him differently or would they be mean to him?” Mrs. West said. “That has not been our experience so far. Beckett is a rock star at school. Everyone seems to know him and goes out of their way to talk to him. Keaton’s friends always make an effort to play with him and give him a hug!”

Andy, the VP- Office Manager at the Carthage branch of Wilson Bank & Trust and Courtney, accountant at Companion CPA Group in Cookeville, knew little about Down Syndrome at first but became quick studies. Still, DS wasn’t the Wests top concern. They learned their precious bundle of boy also faced a congenital heart defect, AVSD, which required open heart surgery.

Following up with the cardiologist every couple of years is just one of many extra responsibilities the young couple juggles in their lives. Beckett goes to Dynamic Therapy Center once a week for Occupational and Physical Therapy, and he receives Occupational, Physical and Speech therapies at Carthage Elementary School. Beckett has hypothyroidism that necessitates a trip to the Endocrinologist two to three times per year. Each year they visit the Down Syndrome Clinic at Vanderbilt.

Life for the strong-willed little boy is certainly much more than medical.

“He LOVES baseball,” his mom says. “Baseball is life at our house. We watch the Atlanta Braves every night, and we watch the movie, The Perfect Game, when the Braves are not playing.  We play baseball inside and outside of the house.”

So, it’s little surprise perhaps that Beckett would like to be a baseball player or photographer when he grows up. In the meantime he likes to greet people wherever he goes, making them laugh and showcasing his “goofy personality.”

Beckett and his family will be putting on their race shoes for the 5^th Annual 5K and Fun Run for Down Syndrome Awareness on Saturday, October 5 at 8:00 a.m. at DeKalb West School, located at 101 Bulldog Lane in Liberty.

“Individuals with Down syndrome have hopes and dreams just like anyone else and are capable of reaching those,” says Beckett’s mother. The diagnosis of DS does not limit what they are capable of.”

Down syndrome occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, copies of the 21st chromosome. This additional genetic material alters the course of development and causes the characteristics associated with Down syndrome. A few of the common physical traits of Down syndrome are low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes, and a single deep crease across the center of the palm. Every person with Down syndrome is a unique individual and may possess these characteristics to different degrees, or not at all. More than 400,000 people are living with Down syndrome in the United States.

Cost for the 5K Run/Walk is $25 if you sign up before September 27. It cost $15 to register for the Fun Run/Walk before October 2, and $25 for the Virtual 5K. For more information contact the race director at 321Run4DS@gmail.com

September 15, 2019
By: Bill Conger

“They’re feeling it,” says League facilitator Jordan Atnip, who is the Youth and Worship leader at Smithville F.B.C.  “A lot of people played for years but they’re rusty or hadn’t played in a while because they’re adults. That’s who the league is for. There will be a learning curve with people learning what their bodies can do now versus last time when we had church league or anything like that.”

While all athletes weren’t quite back in the swing of things physically, their “soul” purpose was in place.

“The tone was what we wanted. We played against Church of the Nazarene, and they’re a great group of folks. We had fun. They had fun. They beat us. There weren’t any hard feelings, which is exactly what we were wanting. We’re here for the same thing. We’re here because we love Jesus, and we’re having a good time.”

For the first time in several years, Church League Softball cranked backed up at Bill Page Ballpark. Jo Ann Page threw out the opening pitch.

Ten teams around the county signed up for the season. That’s four teams more than anticipated. Games will be played until Halloween. A tournament is set for Saturday, November 9.

“We’re going to get churches to set up tents and give food out to the community, make it a community day…where they have the opportunity to be fed physically and spiritually,” Atnip says.  “We’re going to have a tent set up out there and have worship going on and get some of the churches to provide their pastor to speak in between games.”

Atnip says next year organizers hope to grow church softball into a bigger league.

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