Joyfully Defying Expectations

—Karen and Jennifer Barrett

On the first day of kindergarten, Jennifer Barrett took her turn sharing something about herself with her new inclusion class. She stood in the circle with 25 classmates, along with her special education director, teacher, speech therapist, and occupational therapist. Jennifer had lots to say, but the only word that anyone could understand was the last: “mom.” Her teachers asked her to repeat her introduction, which she did. Still, no one could make out her words.

“Even at that time, the special education director said Jennifer may never read past first or second grade,” recalls her mother, Karen, whose daughter was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome. “They said she will probably not do math, speak clearly, read, or take part in some of the physical activities. ‘She will not do this, this, and this.’”

But Karen and her husband David did not accept this litany of prognoses. They were committed to cherishing Jennifer’s innate spiritual perfection. And 25 years later, with a loving home and a foundation in Christian Science, Jennifer continues to joyfully defy expectations.

“Now Jennifer talks non-stop,” Karen laughs. “She reads novels like Harry Potter, Twilight, and other chapter books. She reads the Bible Lesson, Science and Health and GoVerse. As a child she would sit with the Children’s Dictionary and read it for hours.” At 20, she earned a certificate from Berkshire Hills Music Academy.

“I am so grateful I have Christian Science to rely on because I don’t really know that I would be able to cope with everything that’s thrown our way,” Karen says. “We still have challenges to meet, and we’re meeting them. But a lot of people didn’t expect us to meet them the way we did.”

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Jennifer and her brother Craig were born in their father’s native Scotland, and the family moved to Ashland, Mass., when Jennifer was 5. Then in 2019, when Jennifer was turning  22, the family moved to South Hadley, Mass., to be near Berkshire Hills Music Academy, which is a college-like program that offers adaptive arts and education, and social, vocational, and life skills in a music-infused environment. This fall, Jennifer entered her eighth year in the programs. 

Jennifer’s days are busy. In addition to all-day classes, she enjoys theater; and she sings and plays keyboard and drums in a Friendship Band, which plays gigs at various community functions. She bowls and swims in Special Olympics, and she likes to listen to music, take walks, swing, do yoga, dance, play mini-golf and work out.

One constant in Jennifer’s life is Christian Science. While her father was a lifelong adherent of the Church of Scotland, he was very supportive of Karen bringing the children to the Christian Science Sunday School, and relying on prayer for healing. Sadly, David passed away a few years ago, leaving Karen as the sole caregiver for Jennifer.

Jennifer’s Sunday School teachers supported her along the way with Karen’s help. “One teacher in particular simply made classes fun,” Karen recalls. “He and Jennifer would walk to McDonalds and sing hymns, talk about Bible stories, and buy an ice cream at 10:30 in the morning. He just loved Jennifer, and she loved him.”

Karen and Jennifer now attend a small branch church in Greenfield, Mass. Jennifer follows along with the service in her Full Text Quarterly. The pair enjoys reading Sentinel articles, and Jennifer loves the book Big With Blessings. Most of all, Jennifer loves hymns. On road trips, they often listen to hymns for hours.  

Until Karen learned about CherishAbility from a Christian Science practitioner in 2018, she knew no other Christian Scientists with special needs. “I thought, ‘There must be somebody—am I the only Christian Scientist in the world that has a child with special needs?” she says. Karen and Jennifer attended their first CherishAbility Adaptive Family Camp in 2018, and have been active participants in programs ever since. Karen attends CherishAbility’s monthly online Parent Gatherings, and appreciates the community of spiritual thinkers. “David and I were never ones to get involved in support groups,” Karen explains. But with CherishAbility, “it’s about seeing the abilities and not the disabilities, and just being around Christian Scientists who have that spiritual thought which uplifts the atmosphere. That, to me, is very comforting and supportive. Hopefully I am helping others, too.”

Jennifer participates in numerous CherishAbility programs, such as Loved One Gatherings, Peer Connect, Adaptive Family Camp, and the online Family Christmas Gathering. She recently completed her second year working in CherishAbility’s two-week vocational training program at the A/U Ranches. As part of the Lodge Crew, Jennifer enjoyed setting and clearing tables, sweeping, and demonstrating independence. She showed her care and empathy in the way she lovingly supported fellow trainees in a challenging work environment. She returned home with a new sense of ownership over many other chores at home, starting with looking after their dog, Callie. 

Karen hopes to find Jennifer a part-time, paid job in the community where her innate empathy and desire to help can bless others. While the way forward isn’t always clear, they take comfort in the words of a favorite hymn: “Thou Love that guards the nestling’s faltering flight! / Keep Thou my child on upward wing tonight” (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 207).