BY IRENE M. LESTER

Excerpted from Chapter 20, SLD - A New Label and Chapter 40, A Night of Champions.

Title: Along Came Bill Author: irene lester Paperback: 256 pages Publisher: independent Publication Date: august, 2017ISBN-13: 978-1532351396Available at facebook.com/alongcamebull

For Bill's entire life, he and his parents spent time with doctors of all specializations, educators in all fields and any other professional that could diagnose Bill's unusual symptoms. One well respected psychologist provided the following summary of her evaluation of Bill. "Bill has numerous medical problems, for which he takes medication, including a digestive disorder and hyperactivity. Bill was evaluated at the B Title: along came Bill Author: irene lester University of Alabama and was thought to have a metabolic disorder, mucopolysaccharidosis (a lack of the enzyme necessary to process polysaccharides in the body) which may cause genetic abnormalities affecting body size, facial development, and the neurologic system. There does not seem to be any treatment that would alter his present or future impairments. The parents have sought professional help in all areas to be able to maintain Bill at home and to provide as normal an environment and education as possible for him." It was never easy.

Bill's 7th grade school journal on September 10, 1984 included this entry: "Today at school we did reading first and then math. I lost my temper because I did not understand it. Then when we went to lunch, I went to go sit with Curt and Billy Davis. They told me to leave. So I went to sit with Mark and Scott. They were nice enough to let me sit with them. I like Scott and Mark a whole lot, but I think Scott is nicer to me." Bill's entry in his 7th grade school journal on September 11, 1984 read, "I can try to be friendlier to Scott, Curt, Randy, Louis, and they can try to be nicer to me. I can try to write in paragraphs and not to write all over the page. I wish Scott and Curt would try not to pick on me and not tease me so much and stop making teasing noises."

Then on October 15, 1984 his entry stated "Today in the gym, Scott and this boy named Mark called me 'retarded.' He needs to try to be nicer to me and not be so mean to me. You know, when he calls me retarded again, I am just going to walk away and not listen to him."

A MOM AND HER CHAMPION: "At our open house, I looked around the room. I felt so thankful. Bill had come such a long way in a short time. No more difficult people making life hard for him. Just kindness and understanding with a bushel of hope sprinkled in."

And then came the Night of Champions. "Don't you think you'd better practice your speech one more time before we get there, Bill?" I didn't like pleading, but I really wanted him to practice his speech. "Nah. I've got it down pat, Mom. I've already gone over it twice and I know it cold," came the disinterested reply.

It was June 10, 2010 and we were driving to the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum (in Savannah, GA) for the Night of Champions. Bill had been asked to give a short speech to business CEOs on the advantages of hiring handicapped workers. Brooke May, officer of the Low Country Down Syndrome Society, had asked me if I thought Bill would want to be on the first ever "Night of Champions" program in Savannah.

"But, Brooke, Bill doesn't have Down's syndrome. We have never received a positive diagnosis. Would that be appropriate?" I stated.

"Yes, of course it would. Our program is for Down's syndrome and Related Disorders," and Brooke emphasized related disorders. "Our focus is on handicapped workers and what they are able to accomplish. Eighty percent of disabled adults do not have jobs -they have no reason to get up in the morning. Our goal is to present this fact and to encourage employers to hire these people and give them a chance at life. Bill is a perfect example; he is handicapped and he is successful at a job."

"Thanks, Brooke. I'm just not sure whether he'll want to do it or not," I replied. I never knew what would interest Bill and felt that pretty Brooke would stand a much better chance of getting a "yes" from him than I would.

And, I was right! Not only did Bill say, "Yes," he said it with enthusiasm, "It would be my pleasure."

Bill was one of five Champions to be honored that night. Pictures of all five had appeared in the newspaper and we sent invitations to friends and relatives everywhere - from the east coast to California, from Florida to Chicago. We invited everyone in our church, our neighborhood, the "Y", and from the store where Bill worked. We planned a get-together for the night before the ceremony and an open house for the day after. Brooke said she felt like she was planning Bill's wedding. So did I.

And, there we were. Driving to the event itself and I couldn't convince Bill to rehearse his speech. Oh well. One lesson I had learned from being Bill's mom was that perfection was not necessary for success. He had a new shirt, new slacks, new shoes and a new haircut. He was ready, although unrehearsed.

Everything about this gathering was special. The atmosphere at the Mighty Eighth was genuinely loving and cheerful, with good-natured greetings heard everywhere. Close to two hundred people were calling out, "Hi, Bill," "Hey Champ," "Over here, Bull," (Bull was a family nickname) and Bill waved in all directions, smiling and calling people by name.

Andy Meeker, our minister, was there, as was Linda, Sissy's friend from California. Bill's first crush Susie from Tennessee, and Cousin Chuck from Chicago were in attendance as well. The other four "champions" entered the room with similar greetings, and we all took our seats.

Andy asked the blessing and spoke of differences and acceptance, love and kind ness. As tuxedoed waiters and waitresses began serving dinner, I noticed nothing was spared in making this a fancy meal. Mixed green salads adorned each place, the silverware was really silver, and chocolate pudding parfaits were placed in front of each plate. No one cared if desserts were eaten first, and many were.

Brooke picked up the microphone and welcomed the guests to the first ever Night of Champions in Savannah, Georgia. She told us that we would meet five differently-abled adults recommended by their employers who held jobs in spite of handicaps. She described the many programs that serve disabled children from kindergarten through high school, which then stop abruptly. "Suddenly they have nothing to do – nothing is in place for this population as adults," she said. "We owe them a chance to work and become productive citizens who are part of the community in which they live." She added, "The people who hire disabled adults need to be celebrated along with their employees. They have taken a chance and I believe they would agree that it paid off." She invited employers to stand. Applause rang out and the program began.

Four "Champions" were introand loved employee." said Sissy. Together she and Mattie finished with, "And it is my honor and my pleasure to introduce him to you. My friend, my uncle… My hero and my brother… and now, YOUR CHAMPION… BILL LESTER!" Bill walked forward with his manager, Benny Henderson. Bill Bill stepped up to the microphone. Benny, his boss, shook his hand as duced along with their employers. Each told of their work experience and thanked his or her boss for letting them show what they could do on a real job. There were tears as employers and employees hugged each other and expressed gratitude for a chance at real life and real money!

Then it was Bill's turn. Sissy and her 7-year-old daughter Mattie he looked him in the eye, and quietly said, "I am so proud of you right now." introduced him with a speech they had written together. It went like this: "Hello and good evening. My name is Laura Simpson," began Sissy. "And my name is Mattie Simpson," continued Mattie. Together they explained, "We are here to introduce your next champion. This champion is a man who wears many hats, uncle, brother, son, cousin, good friend, dedicated and loyal employee… and now, CHAMPION!!!!!" Sissy continued "Bill Lester has worked at the same grocery store for almost 4 years. It is not unusual for me to run into people and hear, "I saw Bill at work the other day. You know, I always try to get in his line. Bill has a way of making everyone around him feel better by his enthusiastic greetings and heartfelt good wishes. He is a day brightener!"

And Mattie added, "I call him Bull and he is my uncle. All of my friends and I love him because he is a nice uncle and he is really fun to play with. Whenever I go to the store, he makes sure that everyone knows that I am Mattie, his niece. He hugs me and tells me I better be good. I am very proud of him and I love him very much."

"Bill is an example of a fine employee. He takes his job seriously. It is clear by the work he does. He takes pride in pleasing his customers, a characteristic that is becoming less and less prevalent in today's world. Bill has a great rapport with his managers and co-workers, his teamwork and work ethic make him a valued and loved employee." said Sissy. Together she and Mattie finished with, "And it is my honor and my pleasure to introduce him to you. My friend, my uncle… My hero and my brother… and now, YOUR CHAMPION… BILL LESTER!"

Bill walked forward with his manager, Benny Henderson. Bill Bill stepped up to the microphone. Benny, his boss, shook his hand as he looked him in the eye, and quietly said, "I am so proud of you right now."

Bill's notes were folded into many squares and, as he unfolded them, he asked the audience to "Bear with me. I promise not to keep you here all night." When the folding/unfolding finally stopped, Bill looked over the room and smiled as he said, "Hello and thank you for this honor. I love my job. I have a great place to work. I'd like to thank my family and friends for coming tonight. I'd like to thank the Low Country Down Syndrome Society for this nice event."

"And mostly, I'd like to thank my manager, Benny Henderson, for such a great place for me to go to work." "Last of all, I want to thank all of you for coming here. (Special thanks to those who traveled many miles.) Drive safely going home tonight."

With that, Bill walked to his seat as the audience stood and applauded. This was truly a celebration. Brooke introduced Jamie Deen, a sponsor of this event, who presented his mother, Paula Deen. She spoke of her experi ence with handicapped young people in the community. The Deens have worked hand-in-hand with the Low Country Down Syndrome Society and its efforts to bring handicapped people into the work force.

 "They have so much to offer," she said. "All they need is a chance." If there had been a curtain, this would have been the time to bring it down. As Joe Marinelli, President of Visit Savannah said, "I needed this evening. It put my life in perspective." I needed it, too. Bill's speech was fine and didn't need any more rehearsing.

The next day we had our open house at home and served Bill's favorite food to many of his favorite people. As I looked around the room, I felt so thankful. Bill had come such a long way in a short time. No more difficult people making life hard for him. Just kindness and understanding with a bushel of hope sprinkled in. Things were definitely looking up!•

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Irene Lester is a retired school teacher and middle school counselor. She lives in Savannah, GA, near her children and grandchildren. Along Came Bill is a tribute to her youngest son.