In the first portion of the 20th century people with Down Syndrome were stigmatized. Often they were taken away and placed in mental institutions. These "flawed" children often lived short lives and doctors thought they were helping parents by assisting them in ridding themselves of these children.
On August 26, 1950 Dale Evans, half of the singing duet with Roy Rogers, gave birth to their only child together. She was a beautiful baby girl they name Robin Elizabeth Rogers. Doctors knew something was amiss and a few days later informed the parents that their little girl had Down Syndrome (known as Mongoloid at the time). The doctors, believing they were doing what was best for the parents, encouraged Roy and Dale to give the child up. They would not, and took the child home with them against doctor advice. Dale refused to keep her child hidden from public view.
"In those days people saw an offspring as evidence of genetic weakness in the parents. Mongoloid children were usually hidden because society was not willing to accept them...But God knew that if we would accept the challenge of caring for Robin, he could use us to witness of his love in new and exciting ways."
Robin spent nearly 2 years with her loving parents as a happy child. Then, shorty before her second birthday, Robin passed away from heart disease. Roy and Dale were devastated. Dale could not bring herself to view their child after death. Roy took that responsibility and, afterwords, spoke to Dale describing Robin as "a small size sleeping angel". That statement sparked a memory in Dale and she recalled the passage from Hebrew 13:2, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." Dale took it to heart.
"Like sunlight breaking through clouds after a storm of darkness, it all became clear to me. She had come to us from God - an angel – with all her handicaps and frailties to make us aware that his strength is found in weakness. In the two years she had been among us we had grown close as a family and we had learned how deeply we needed to depend on God. My job was to help deliver that message that had been given us by an angel."
Dale wrote a book about Robin entitled, Angel Unaware. The short book told of Roy's and her love of Robin and the life they lived together utilizing a strong Christian Faith to get through the hard times. Her book would go on the become her greatest legacy. Her book would be at the forefront in changing the public's perception of Down Syndrome.
While there is still progress to be made in achieving full public acceptance of those with Down Syndrome, Dale Evan's book was a great catalyst change. She brought it from a state of family shame to a part of society.
-Professor Walter
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