My Brother, Kaden
by Jacob Thomsen
Happy New Year! We are all incredibly blessed to see another year, and to be able to see the hope and opportunity it can bring. As we enter the month of January, there is a day in particular that stands out to me. That day is January 22nd, North Dakota’s first Right-To-Life Day. It was an honor last session to testify in favor of creating this day of observance and then to finally see it come to fruition this month!
This day is incredibly important to the values we hold so dearly in our hearts. It further solidifies that North Dakota is a pro-life state and that we respect and cherish the gift that God has given us in lives filled with opportunity.
As I think about the upcoming Right-To-Life Day, there is surely a somber note to remember as well. I think about all the lives that have been lost to abortion and I think about all the babies who are like my younger brother, Kaden, who has Down Syndrome.
For many families across the world who opt to do genetic testing for their pregnancy, there is a chance that they find out that their child has a disability. For the families that do find out that their baby has a disability, oftentimes a doctor will recommend abortion and list the reasons why that child will not live a fulfilling life and will suffer the whole time they are living. When parents are presented with this information, they are faced with a difficult decision.
Kaden’s diagnosis was a surprise. He was born and my parents were told that their baby had Down Syndrome. That brings on a whirlwind of questions and emotions from people saying that he may not walk or talk, he may not be able to dress himself, and many more negative effects of the disability.
My parents would not let Kaden be who those people said he would be. They decided to give him the opportunity to write his own story, and he truly has. Kaden has been adored by his peers all through his schooling. He walks (runs), talks (doesn’t stop), dresses himself, and so much more. He can ride a bike, he won Homecoming King, he graduated High School, and he is a Special Olympics State Champion in Powerlifting.
Kaden is truly a gift from God. He has taught us so many things that we never would have had the opportunity to experience without him. He has taught us patience, grace, unadulterated joy, and love. The greatest lesson he’s taught us is unconditional love. He is someone who truly cares about everyone. He gives the best hugs, and is a real treasure to our family.
Kaden lives a fulfilling life. He is not a mistake. He is right where he is supposed to be, all because he was given the opportunity to live. We are all incredibly proud of him for how far he has come in life and are excited to see where he goes.
Everyone has a right to live. I will be celebrating that right on January 22nd, and I will think about Kaden. I will be thinking about how beautiful and precious life is, and that it is not an inconvenience.