One could argue that one of the most significant things in the world is to value all people equally, regardless of their race, religion, or outward appearance. The idea that you should treat everyone you meet with respect unless someone proves otherwise, was something my parents worked very hard to instill in me. To judge someone solely on the basis of how they appear or other differences, in my opinion, is cruel and, to put it bluntly, inappropriate.
Regrettably, some people just can’t seem to stop. When people notice that others are different from them, they choose to mock and denigrate them. Some are prepared to cast doubt on the abilities of people who have conditions or illnesses rather than giving them a chance. Joey Wittkugle was one of the men who was initially written off, but his story is the perfect illustration of the dangers of judging a book solely by its cover.
Joey was born with Down syndrome, and the outlook for his future was not good, to put things in perspective. A doctor reportedly told Bobbi that her child might not even be able to recognize her and that he or she would never be able to talk or walk when he or she approached her shortly after Joey was born, according to reports. The comments broke Bobbi’s heart.
Doctors told the mother that her son wouldn’t live past the age of eleven; however, he recently celebrated his 62nd birthday.
Because Down Syndrome was less well-known back then than it is now, according to Bobbi, people found it challenging to accept or welcome babies with genetic abnormalities. Although Bobbi wasn’t exactly sure what to do, she was absolutely certain of one thing: she loved her baby. The young mother confided in a priest, and he told her that God had chosen her to be Joey’s mother. Bobbi never looked back after that and she and Joey continued to overcome every challenge in their way.
A birthday parade in his hometown was held by his family to commemorate the event.
Whether it does the same for you or not, this story warmed my heart. All kids should be cherished and loved. I think we can all agree on that! If you want to wish Joey well, please share this article on Facebook. Bobbi, who was 90 at the time, said: “When you see one of our children, don’t turn your back on them like they did years ago.
Please learn to love them as much as they love you because they are special creations of God who are also human. All of Joey’s favorite things, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and first responders who were present to wish Joey well, participated in a special birthday parade.
