Powerful testimony regarding the sanctity of life took place on Capital Hill this week.

“I am a man with Down syndrome and my life is worth living.”

That really should be all that needs to be said. However, there is more, so much more. Frank Stephens, an amazing young man with Down syndrome, is one of the best advocates as to the beauty of what we can experience by knowing anyone with Downs.

Yet there are many who would rather shun or kill someone with Downs because they are “different.” Frank spoke eloquently as to the positives and the change for the good that knowing and working with someone who has Downs can bring to everyone.

Frank is an amazing young man who has become a stellar advocate for all who have Downs, and for humanity as well. He’s had the opportunity to act, meet famous people, and walk the runways with some pretty cool folks. 

At that time, he was in Denver for a gala that included Jamie Foxx, Mario Lopez, Hillary Swank, John McGinley, Matt Dillon and Peyton Manning for the “Be Beautiful, Be Yourself” event.

That same evening, Frank received the 2016 Quincy Jones Award for Exceptional Advocacy.

Why is Frank’s testimony so important to us all? Too many are so scared of Down Syndrome that they, as Iceland is demonstrating, would rather abort babies than let them live. We wrote about that horrifically sickening situation here. Frank spoke about it during his testimony:

“Let’s be America, not Iceland or Denmark. Let’s pursue answers, not ‘final solutions.’ Let’s be America. Let’s make our goal to be Alzheimer’s free, not Down syndrome free.”

Agreed. Final solutions, as the world found out, do nothing more than to rend a gash upon humanity and humankind. Frank is well aware that many would rather hide or get rid of someone who has Down Syndrome. He said this a few years ago.

As recently as this year, a Nobel Prize winning scientist, Richard Dawkins, expressed the opinion that it is “immoral” to have a child with Down syndrome. He said he believed that our lives bring more “suffering” into the world than “happiness.” I just don’t know what rock he has been under for the last 50 years. We no longer lead the short, unhappy lives in institutions that he seems to imagine. I really am the “Actor, Author, Advocate” that is described on my business card. I speak to over 50 audiences a year with a motivational message of hope. I just returned from a promotional tour of the United Kingdom with my co-star from “Touched by Grace,” Amber House. I have been to the White House twice (and I didn’t have jump the fence either time), I have debated Ann Coulter on national TV, and I teach people all the time not to underestimate others just because of how they look.

Yes, Richard Dawkins can go pound sand. Moreover, Frank’s message included the fact that in learning about Down syndrome, we and science have the opportunity to learn about and help other medical issues such as cancer and Alzheimers. Why is Alzheimers so important to Frank? Because of his mother, Cornelia.

He said this during his testimony.

On a deeply personal note, I cannot tell you how much it means to me that my extra chromosome might lead to the answer to Alzheimer’s. It’s likely that one day this thief will steal my memories, my very life from me. This is very hard for me to say, but it has already begun to steal my mom from me.

Please, think about all those people you love the way I love my mom. Help us make this difference, if not for me and my mom, then for you and the ones you love.

Frank made the point that he is a medical gift to society that could include a blueprint for cures into cancer, Alzheimers and more.

“Let’s find answers, not final solutions.” An absolute brilliant presentation by Frank Stephens on the importance of life for all. https://t.co/SEXQ3VH6b1

— Jeramey Gillilan (@JerameyDane) October 28, 2017

Frank, there is indeed a place for you in this world and we are blessed to have you with us. We honor you and thank you for your gifts of laughter, joy, and LOVE.