When ReBecca Kutcher welcomed her daughter, Trista, to the world 21 years ago, she was dazzled by her blonde hair and blue eyes. She pondered the thought of her daughter becoming a cheerleader but then thought it would never happen because along with those twinkling eyes and corn silk hair, Trista was born with Down syndrome (DS), a genetic disorder that often includes some degree of intellectual disability, characteristic facial features, birth defects and other health problems.

But little would ReBecca know that not only would her daughter become that cheerleader she envisioned, but so much more.

For the Kutcher family, shining a light on the importance of including children with intellectual disabilities in the general classroom was key. As educators in the Charleston County School District, ReBecca and her husband, Joseph, felt the need to push for Trista to be treated like everyone else, have expectations and function in society.

“When Trista was born, I saw very little opportunities for her at that time. But as inclusion made its way into schools, we pushed hard for her to be in as many classroom settings that we could. She really thrived,” ReBecca says.

Trista thrived so well that she was on the Wando High School JV Cheerleading Squad for more than two years, won gold medals at the World Games in Ireland and, at one point, held three jobs at once. Currently, you will find Trista splitting her time between On The Border restaurant and Harris Teeter in Mount Pleasant – and ReBecca credits it all to education.

“I would’ve never thought she would have all this independence and opportunity now. Education and inclusion is so important and making sure Trista received speech therapy and had good behavior was vital. She’s pleasant to be around, she has great work ethic and listens to authority, having all these aspects is huge.”

According to Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician Angela LaRosa, M.D., associate professor and medical director of The Medical University of South Carolina Down Syndrome Center, parents who have children with Down syndrome “will experience all the same things that a parent of a ‘typical’ child will but they will need additional services.”

The center opened in October 2006 to assist the large amount of parents in the Lowcountry that had children with intellectual disabilities and felt their needs weren’t being met. This comprehensive, one-stop clinic helps assess each child’s needs and the multitude of health problems they face. Currently, they see more than 100 patients each year.

Many children with Down syndrome are at risk for thyroid, vision, gastrointestinal, hearing and other problems. Armed with a full-time otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat), speech therapist, occupational therapist and physical therapist, LaRosa educates parents on what’s best for each individual and is working hard to clear up misconceptions.

“We as a community need to learn more about Down syndrome, support those with it so when they grow up, we can help them reach their full potential. Children with Down syndrome can live into their 60s and 70s, and the hardest part they have is expressing themselves. They also are at risk for mental health issues like depression. People think they’re happy-go-lucky children, but remember they’re kids, they’re not always happy.”

Gene Poulnot Carpenter, mother of a child with DS and member of the Down Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry (DSAL) mirrored LaRosa’s concerns.

“There are misconceptions that children with Down syndrome are always happy. Quite the opposite like all children, children with a disability get their feelings hurt, they do not understand when they are not included in playgroups and birthday parties. Children with DS want what every child in the world wants – friendship.”

With programs like therapeutic recreation/unified sports at local recreation centers and the Special Olympics, children with DS are enjoying more opportunities to make friends and learn new things more than ever.

“There are loads of year-round activities for athletes with Down syndrome. We host swimming, tennis, golf, bocce, soccer, kickball, theater, health programs, basketball, cheer, rhythmic gymnastics and many social activities including dances, roller skating, running and so much more,” says Shelli Davis, therapeutic recreation coordinator for the town of Mount Pleasant.

“Like any athlete, there are different skill levels, and we are able to adapt programs per the needs and levels of the athletes. The program helps with social interaction, inclusion, physical activity, learning life skills and building friendship and self-esteem.”

And just like that dream of Trista becoming a cheerleader, ReBecca never thought her daughter might have a chance to go to college, but thanks to a cutting edge program, The R.E.A.C.H. Program (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes), at the College of Charleston, students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities can go to a four-year college just like their peers.

This unique program has special meaning to Cindi May, a professor of psychology at the College. Already known for developing the Options program at Bishop England School, where students with intellectual disabilities are in regular classes up to 90 percent of their day, May was approached by Donald Bailey of the College Transition Connection to help create a similar program at the College of Charleston. Her mission seemed clear after the birth of her daughter, Grace, who had Down Syndrome.

“I have five children, a set of twins and triplets. One of my triplets, Grace, had Down syndrome. When she was born it was important for me to find out the best way to educate children with intellectual disabilities. Inclusion is the best way children learn for a variety of reasons. There were only pockets of good inclusion but they weren’t plentiful, so I wanted to increase these opportunities, where kids like Grace could learn with their peers.”

Sadly, Grace was diagnosed with leukemia at 3 and a half years old and died only six weeks after her diagnosis. Her death – still hard for May to talk about – gives her a renewed spirit to see programs like R.E.A.C.H. flourish.

“Students that participate in R.E.A.C.H. will contribute as much to this campus as they receive. They enroll in regular classes and receive support. They come to class, write papers and take tests. They also receive life skills development and the students have the option to live on campus in all-inclusive housing. They take Zumba, rush a business fraternity, join the gospel choir, play intramural sports and do everything that all college kids do.”

This year, five students participated in the R.E.A.C.H. program and they have accepted 10 students for next year. The major hurdle for many of the families is financial, as there aren’t loans available for programs like it.

“As Trista was growing up, we never thought we’d have to save money for college, so we saved up for her sisters’ college. Now there’s an opportunity and we can’t afford it,” ReBecca says.

R.E.A.C.H. Program Director Edie Cusack is finding creative ways to raise money for scholarships from putting on golf tournaments to a night at the RiverDogs game. Thanks to local families and businesses, they are beginning to build small scholarships, but the supply doesn’t keep up with the demand.

“I would love to see more scholarships for these students, we have a great interest from people all around the nation,” May says.

Including interest from one gold-medal winning Mount Pleasant girl who is working two jobs and maybe one day will make both her parents and her own dream of becoming a college graduate come true. *