Two years ago I met a little, amazing boy named Gavin. He was sitting on the ground, enjoying the Easter egg hunt in Fountain Hills. I knew immediately that he was special.

I sat down on the ground in my suit and tie and began to play with him. It was 95 degrees and I was sweating like I had just run a 10K. He had the biggest smile on his face. It was infectious, and as it brought a smile to my face, it also brought tears to my eyes.

Trying to wipe away the sweat and tears, I told his mother, “Your son is very special.” Gavin is a Down syndrome child. For those of you who haven’t been around such a child, you’re missing out on the most loving and affectionate humans on the face of the earth. I can’t imagine what it’s like to have a newborn with a health issue, but I do know having a child is a blessing and sacrifice, without any guarantees of what the future h olds.

Adults are the protectors of these special children. Recently the legislature passed SB1367, which gives children a voice, and an opportunity for us to have our lives enriched by them. Unlike what EJ Montini wrote in his March 15 editorial, this is not “the single-mindedness to zealotry, which can have unintended consequences.”

Let’s let our faith determine the outcome for these children, not one opinion of a doctor or a parent who chooses not to fulfill their obligation of loving, cherishing and protecting the life of a child that they wanted to be perfect, but is born with a disability. Maybe it’s our flaw, not the child’s. Life is precious and we have an obligation to protect it, not just before birth, but after birth.