How a Down syndrome teen hiked toward Mount Everest

In this month of remembering Roe v. Wade tragedies and praying for all the babies threatened by abortion, we should remember that Down syndrome kids are among the most highly endangered: Parents abort nine out of 10.

That’s why I wrote a column last June about Elisha Reimer, an Oregon teen with Down syndrome. His parents started the Elisha Foundation in 2005, and last year Eli became the first American with Down syndrome to hike to the Mount Everest South Base Camp, 17,598 feet above sea level (see video clip below)

The objective, in dad Justin Reimer’s words: “God’s glory and the gospel going forth to the disabled.”

The goal of using media to show God’s glory almost worked. Eli’s story had enough human interest to push three Los Angeles television stations to interview the Reimers upon their return to the United States. Those interviews led to many more, including one on NBC’s Today.

But a problem emerged. Show after show edited out, in Justin Reimer’s words, “any Jesus-related reference.” He says these comments were edited out: “God who created the Himalayas in all their grandeur also created my son uniquely. …God has a purpose in disability and can display His great works in and through disability.”

Since nine of 10 parents think a Down syndrome child is a disaster and chose abortion, it would have been helpful for parents to hear Justin Reimer’s answer to the question, “What was it like for you as Eli’s dad to see him accomplish this historic feat?” He recalls saying, “I couldn’t help but to think of how God has been so good to us in giving us such an amazing blessing of a child.”

None of that made it into the broadcast interviews. I hope you’ll watch the video and say, “to God be the glory.”