In the United States, approximately 6,000 babies with Down syndrome are born every year. From day one, the chromosomal condition presents certain difficulties that impact cognitive and physical development.
Such is the case with Spencer Kirkpatrick, ACCESS student and recently elected homecoming king at Mississippi State University. The ACCESS program was developed at MSU in 2009 as a 4-year, fully inclusive non-degree program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities to have a chance to successfully transition into collegiate education.
Kirkpatrick has always wanted to attend MSU and follow in the footsteps of his father, Kevan, and his brother, Harris, both alumni of the University. In the beginning, Spencer’s father was told that learning would be difficult for his son, a reality of raising a child with Down syndrome.
“He has always adapted with his challenges. We’ve also been fortunate to be surrounded by people that adapt with him. My friend, Shannon Johnston, taught me that when someone like Spencer comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself and it comes in the way other people treat that person,” Kevan Kirkpatrick remarked.
He went on to say that he’d seen the truly beautiful side of human nature while watching Spencer flourish during his time in the ACCESS program at MSU. The cherry on top for Spencer? Being homecoming king. He campaigned for his place among campus royalty along with eight other students and won by a hearty 12% margin.
“I was kind of nervous because I really wanted him to win and I knew in the bottom of my heart that he did win, but I still had that little bit of fear,” said Susannah Cox, Spencer’s campaign manager.
She went on to reflect on the spirit of the campus body and how their election of someone who isn’t a typical student speaks volumes about how far we’ve come in the ongoing fight for inclusion. This is certainly true when considering that not so many years ago, the prospect of a college education would’ve hardly been a consideration, let alone a reality while parenting a child with Down syndrome. Now, Spencer will finish his program in 2020 as a king.
When Spencer is crowned — along with queen and classmate Rachel Dumke — at MSU’s late November football game, it’s a testament to how people with disabilities continue to thrive in a culture of inclusivity.