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From the moment Tyler Anderson was born, his family knew life would never be the same. The first sign of Down syndrome was evident in the Simeon creases on Tyler's hands.
Tyler’s father Craig said at first it was quite a shock.
“In fact, when Tyler was born I was foolish enough to pray that he would die, that I could have another chance at a normal son," he said. "It wasn’t long until I realized the incredible, precious gift he was.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, Down syndrome is caused by an abnormal cell division in chromosome 21.
“I remember when Tyler was just a small baby people would look at him just like what is wrong with that child? They couldn’t quite figure it out," Craig said. "But once he got a little bit older I would put him on my shoulders and parade him through the stores as proud as could be. When people would stare I’d say 'yes, he has Down syndrome, and we’re good with that.'”
The genetic disorder varies in severity with an assortment of health problems associated with it.
When Tyler was 11 he developed Leukemia. Science Daily reports children with Down syndrome are 20 times more likely to develop Leukemia, contributing to an overall lower life expectancy. Suffering through chemo, regular spinal taps and other treatments Tyler’s health continued to deteriorate.
After nearly two years of fighting the disease, his parents feared the worse.
“One day LeAnne says I’m not going to come down. I’m going to make funeral arrangements. He’s not coming home, and I agreed with her," Craig said. "So I started to petition Heavenly Father to get to know who he was so I could let him go. That night, as I laid next to him, I got a glimpse of who Tyler really is. He is a magnificent spiritual warrior. He dwarfed me and I was honored to be in his presence. That’s who he is.”
But that wasn’t the end.
“Oh, Tyler pulled through all right," Craig said. "He was left bald as a billiard ball.”
Tyler then went on to help manage the Layton High football team where his pep talks inspired the team to win. Craig said “they continued to score touchdowns for Tyler and I think they took second in state that year. In fact, by the end of the season they’d all shaved their heads in tribute to him.”
By the time eighth grade came around, Tyler met the love of his life, Amy. They talked about getting married almost immediately, but after dating for 15 years Craig said it was finally time.
“It was down at the Joseph Smith Memorial building by The Roof restaurant. He got down on one knee and asked her to marry him," Craig said. "It was Valentine’s Day, the place was packed. He put a ring on Amy’s finger and kissed her on the lips. That was the first time they kissed on the lips. The applause was deafening.”
Fast forward four years and Tyler is living his dream.
At 7 a.m. he wakes up, gets the paper and turns right to the sports section. Tyler eats breakfast with his wife and goes to work at Bowman's Market in Kaysville, Utah, where he’s been working for nearly five years.
Tyler and Amy love to spend their time cuddled up at home watching movies: “He calls her 'sweets,'” said Craig, and they are always loving toward one another.
“It’s not unknown to have him plug in two electric candles and have a candlelight dinner with her," Craig said. "I suppose we can all take a lesson from that. I guess in many instances he’s not much different from all the rest of us, but that’s Tyler.”
