“Full many a flower is born to blush unseen and waste its sweetness on the desert air.” Thomas Gray
This quote from Gray’s “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard” is one of my favorites because it makes a statement about the intrinsic value of things. A flower is beautiful regardless of who is nearby to appreciate it. In our society too much emphasis is placed on outward appearance and materialistic value. We simply do not treat others with the respect they deserve by virtue of the fact that they are human. If we did, there would be no prejudice, and we would have no social outcasts. We would take time to get to know one another, rather than basing judgments strictly on outward appearance. We are surrounded by flowers, but rarely do we go out of our way to appreciate them.
When I returned to Notre Dame to begin my junior year, I had no new expectations. Campus looked the same as it had when I left and my class schedule appeared to be a continuation of the previous years. I did not plan on making many new friends because one makes most acquaintances in college during the freshman year. As usual, I arrived before any of my other roommates, so I decided to go visit with some of the other guys in the dorm. I went upstairs and Chris, a member of the freshman orientation staff. He was in the process of pairing brothers with little sisters, guys from our dorm with freshman girls from another dorm. I asked him how it was going, and he replied, “Fine, but I have a special request concerning one of the little sisters.” Apparently he had received a letter informing him that one of the girls was confined to a wheelchair, could not speak, was legally blind, and needed a big brother who could be sensitive to her condition. After thinking it over awhile I told him that I would do it. At first I thought it would be good for me because I could help someone else and score some points with God in the process. Now that I have known this girl for over six months I realize that she has given me more than anything I could offer her.
Dawn Parkot was born with cerebral palsy, “a neuromuscular disability caused by injury to the motor centers of the brain.” In many cases a person with cerebral palsy might have limited motor skills yet be perfectly normal in every other respect: “In 1862, Dr. William John Little first described cerebral palsy and this “disease” was given his name. However, according to his description, Little disease signified a feeble-minded child, drooling, grimacing, and with a scissors gait.” Thus the erroneous impression developed all children with cerebral palsy were feeble-minded… It is now known that impaired intelligence does not necessarily accompany the motor disability.” Approximately four out of seven victims of cerebral palsy have a perfectly normal mental capacity, and Dawn happens to be one such individual.
I often find myself wondering what kind of God could allow such a disease to exist. Mental retardation, for example, is a cruel affliction, but how many mentally retarded individuals really comprehend the fullness of their condition? Someone who is mentally retarded does not notice when another person stares, laughs, or purposely avoids contact. Dawn, however, is well aware of all that goes on around her. After twenty years she has no doubt learned to deal with the situation, but no one can totally harden oneself to such public ridicule.
It is a shame that people do not understand Dawn’s condition. Even when confronted with facts many are unaffected. For example, Dawn recently went to dinner off campus with one of her friends. As usual, the waitress immediately began to patronize her, treating her like a child: “You must be from Logan Center,” she said, “My sister used to volunteer there. We just love you people!” Dawn’s friend immediately interjected, “As a matter of fact, Dawn is a computer science/math major at Notre Dame.” As if she had not heard a thing, the waitress replied, “Oh, that’s nice!” and continued to patronize Dawn throughout the meal. Had I been there, I might have been tempted to explain to the waitress that Dawn’s I.Q is twice that of any of their employees and she does not need to be treated like a child.
On a number of occasions I have noticed how people go out of their way to say hello to Dawn, but they do it in the same manner that one would greet a small child. She understands that they mean well, but she does not like to receive special attention.
She gets tired of publicity, yet she always obliges when asked for an interview. She likes to do things for herself, and many are astonished when they learn of her capabilities. Perhaps life would be easier for Dawn if she went to school where she could receive special attention, but she is not one to take the easy way out. She is taking a stand against society, and in so doing will probably make life a little bit easier for any who should choose to follow in her footsteps.
In the words of Victor Frankl, Dawn is a tragic optimist of the highest degree.