File:1988 - Xan Brown in Northwestern Lutheran article.jpg

source:Myrtle Jaus collection.

The Brown family were members at Salem Lutheran Church, Edmonds, WA when I was a member at that church. Aunt Myrt kept this article about "Zanni."

My daughter Xan by Jill Brown

I have always believed that every child is a gift from God. Even a less than perfect child is a gift from God. Twenty years ago God blessed us with Xan, less than perfect in the eyes of may. Our much wanted and loved daughter has brought us an equal amount of joy and sadness. It is through her that God has allowed our family to see cruelty, prejudice and ignorance and given us the strength to become advocates for the rights of all disabled.

All parents of disabled children know the key ingredient to their sanity is laughter, patience and a little bit of selfishness. Selfishness, because if you are unable to separate yourself from your child, you and your child will never survive. Patience, for you will have to make your child fit into your world when they would rather create a world of their own. Laughter, well, would God give you this child without your having a sense of humor?

You learn never to take things for granted. When your child has taken its first step, lifted a spoon, uttered an unintelligible sound or reached for your hand, you are positive you have seen a miracle.

Baptism and confirmation, events that most parents consider milestones in the lives of their children, are magnified ten-fold with joy and love. I still remember the struggle of confirmation instruction with materials that were non-existent and with the horrible thought that she might not ever be confirmed. But with the help of a wonderful, patient teacher in our congregation and the perseverance of our pastor, she made it!

I have always listened to professionals, but have believed what I wanted to believe and thrown out the rest. Professionals said Xan would never be able to ride a two-wheel bike. Well, let me tell you where she went in February. The Winter Olympics in Calgary! She was picked by Special Olympics International and VISA International Corporation to participate in exhibition skiing. She was one of 25 participants from Special Olympics chosen from world-wide competition. We are so proud.

Yes, I wrote the doctor who told me that, with deficits in her fine and gross motor skills, she would probably never be able to be very active. She not only skis, she swims and dives (which is more that I can do), plays basketball, bowls, participates in track and field events and much to her parents’ dismay, rides a skateboard.

I believe I am never alone with my daughter for God is by my side every minute of every day. I believe I am doing his work.

Xan is developmentally disabled and has had a seizure disorder from birth. She is chronologically 20 years old and mentally functions at age 10. She is a senior at Shorewood High School in a Directed Studies Program.

What the future holds after graduation will become another challenge for her and her parents. It is the hope of her parents to continue with her job training, help her find employment and then enter into a tenant support living situation.

The Right Parents by Pastor Ralph N. Baur

When the Lord blesses a congregation with a family with a special child, it is an opportunity for the members to see the wisdom of God in choosing the right parents for his special child. We are very much aware of this time-tested observation in having the Dennis Brown family as members.

Here at Salem we thank the Lord for upholding both Xan and her parents in every state of development so that she was able to compete in such a world event. At home here, Xan can ride the intricate bus system of Seattle, has committed most of the routes and their numbers to memory and is able to be employed part time.

Xan attended our Sunday school, and when our thoughts turned to confirmation, a young woman in the congregation, who had experience in this area, did most of Xan’s instruction. The pastor found her work to be very thorough. Imagine the joy on the day of examination when Xan sat with the regular class and took her turn at answering. She confessed her faith with the rest and showed that with long, patient teaching she had learned the beautiful truths of God’s word.

We here at Salem thank God for this special child and her parents who are a source of inspiration to all who know them.