Life’s Greatest Lessons
by Victoria Collette Reynolds
While learning about life from his mother, David Egan taught her life’s greatest lessons.
Along with parenthood comes great opportunity to teach one’s children. Instruction begins during the formative years and continues as they encounter various life lessons. But in the process of teaching and coaxing one’s offspring to be the best they can be, parents learn important lessons from their own children.
As the mother of a child born with Down syndrome, Kathleen Egan says she’s learned life’s greatest lessons from her son, David. That’s a strong statement, considering Kathleen has a PhD in educational psychology, and her husband, John, is a physicist.
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A Special Olympics athlete since elementary school, David Egan has participated in soccer, basketball, ice skating, softball and swimming, with an expertise in the 100-meter individual medley-swimming race. |
“David taught me to value people as they are. He taught me to see beyond social expectations–IQ, appearances, etcetera–and he taught our family that although having high expectations is good, it is more important to give it one's best than being the best,” she explains.
“We are a competitive family but it is not about winning only, rather, about exploring new possibilities and extending oneself to new goals in life.”
Kathleen says she’s amazed by the goals that David, now 30, has set and accomplished for himself. David says Special Olympics is a great source of inspiration.
“Special Olympics taught me to excel, to set a goal, to play on the team and to build confidence,” David says, who has won countless medals and awards. “It changed my life.”
A Special Olympics athlete since elementary school, David has participated in soccer, basketball, ice skating, softball and swimming, with an expertise in the 100-meter individual medley-swimming race. As an eager advocate for people with disabilities, he is a Global Messenger for Special Olympics Virginia and through the years has served the movement in various leadership capacities, meriting copious awards and recognitions.
In David’s own words: “Down syndrome isn’t an obstacle.”
As a child, I used to ask my mother, “When will I get rid of this Down Syndrome thing?” She would say, “It is something that stays with you all your life but it does not stop you from having dreams and being successful.”
My disability does not get in the way when I take the bus to work, when I sign my paycheck, when I train and compete in Special Olympics, and when I have fun with family and friends. The Down Syndrome thing is not an obstacle when I learn and work. I think of all the things that I CAN DO.
I enjoy being involved in the community as a leader and an advocate, taking away the stigma of mental retardation and promoting awareness that we are capable, working people. We may have limitations but we are useful. We may have handicaps but we have abilities. We have a place in the workforce: we serve, we contribute, we are reliable, caring, consistent and predictable.
Those among us with Down Syndrome can lead normal lives with the help and support of family and community. We are able to learn if taught with patience. We are able to succeed if given the right motivation and placed in an accepting environment that helps us thrive.
We give it our best. And we dare to DREAM.
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Since 1998, David has worked in the distribution center at the McLean Campus of at Booz Allen Hamilton, a global strategy and technology consulting firm. David attributes that success to lessons learned from his mentors in life.
“All through my journey, there were very special people: teachers, mentors and coaches who made a difference in my life. They helped me overcome obstacles and prepared me for success on the job,” he says. “In my personal experience, every one of these individuals helped me gain confidence, build social skills, independence, and pride in my work. “
From Kathleen’s perspective, her son is unstoppable in his endeavors to succeed because “David sees himself as in charge of his attitude and his life,” she explains.
David credits that to lessons he’s learned in life.
“It is with family, school and community that the ball got rolling,” he says. “I must have learned then that I was in charge of my attitude and that I am in charge of my life.”
Kathleen says David demonstrates initiative and is not afraid to take risks or share his thoughts in public. “David has a sense of mission and feels it is his responsibility to make things happen,” she says.
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A self-advocate at the national level, David speaks at various fundraising events and has lobbied within the House and Senate to raise awareness, and to promote the image and contributions of people with intellectual disabilities. | In addition to his job and his involvement in Special Olympics, David serves on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Down Syndrome Society. Last August, at the 9th World Down Syndrome Congress, held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, he gave a presentation about why employers should hire people with intellectual disabilities–and how to help them succeed on the job. He accompanied his presentation with a video entitled “LAUNCH: Successful careers for Adults with Down Syndrome,” produced by The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) at Booz Allen Hamilton.
A self-advocate at the national level, David speaks at various fundraising events and has lobbied within the House and Senate to raise awareness, and to promote the image and contributions of people with intellectual disabilities. David has authored an article for Spirit Magazine and also penned the foreword to Simple Successes, by Rachelle Zola.
Considered by many as a leader and an advocate for others with disabilities, David says his “platform” is based on the impetus of Special Olympics.
“Sometimes people with disabilities are made to feel they’re not important enough or that they can’t contribute in meaningful ways. But I experienced INCLUSION from day one!” David exclaims. “That made all the difference in my social skills and my ability to interact and express myself.”
Admittedly, his family’s competitive nature is also a driving force.
“Every parent has expectations of their child and in my family, when it comes to winning and losing, we’re very determined,” he laughs. “And maybe because I have a disability, I feel I have to prove myself a little more.” |
