Going to Bat for Down Syndrome

By Liz Townsend

The television series Facing Life Head-On, shown on Trinity Broadcasting Network as well as other outlets, is currently airing an amazing episode called “Going to Bat for Down Syndrome.” The episode features a delightful little girl named Chloe and her “buddy,” Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Andy LaRoche.

Chloe met with Any LaRoche of the Pirates on 5/11/10 to film a commercial!

LaRoche has made it a tradition to invite kids with Down syndrome to the ballpark to watch batting practice, meet other members of the team, and give them tickets to the game. His first guest was Chloe Kondrich and her family, and they have developed a special bond.

“She’s an amazing girl,” LaRoche said. “I know every player that she met on the team she touched their lives. It’s done more for me than I could ever do for her. She has so much love to give everybody.”

Chloe’s parents, Kurt and Margie Kondrich, said they are grateful for LaRoche’s big heart and desire to reach out to these special kids. As they’ve raised their bubbly six-year-old girl, the Kondriches have become outspoken advocates for people with Down syndrome, speaking out against prejudice and the overwhelming prevalance of abortion after prenatal diagnosis of the syndrome.

“It’s a silent eugenic movement,” Kurt Kondrich said. “It’s identifying, targeting, and eliminating a human being because they’re not perceived to have the characteristics that are highly worshipped in today’s society. I try to tell people she has the characteristics we should hope and pray for in our children—her purity, her innocence, her unconditional love, her goodness.

Those are the things that are absolutely amazing about her.”

LaRoche plans to invite more kids with Down syndrome to the Pirates ballpark. He described these visits as highlights of his time in Pittsburgh. “They’re normal kids,” he said. “Probably better than normal. They’re special.”

You can watch “Going to Bat for Down Syndrome” at http://www.facinglife.tv/episode/season_4/episode_15/episode_415.html. Read more about Chloe and her family at http://chloesmessage.blogspot.com/.

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