City names street after man with Down syndrome who took home gold

Sky Simpson of Carmel, Indiana, took home gold at the International Powerlifting Federation’s World Open Equipped Powerlifting Championships in November — in the Special Olympics division. Back in Simpson’s hometown, officials named a street after him. 

The 23-year-old, who has Down syndrome, attended the event in Iceland with his coach, Kyle Moran, and performed in front of hundreds of people, clinching first place overall for the Special Olympics 205-pound division. His squat and benching also earned gold, along with silver for his deadlift.

“It’s not, like, a charity gold medal,” Coach Moran said. “Everything that every other powerlifter at the event had to do, he did.”

“Him up there on the podium with that gold banner, first place, and his name with the American flag. I saw that and I just started crying. I couldn’t hold it in,” Simpson’s father, Stephen, said. “He went crazy. He was jumping up and down and flexing his muscles for the crowd. The response with the audience was terrific, too. They connected with them. The crowd really loves to see them at these meets.”

When the City of Carmel chose to honor Simpson the same way they honored their Olympic athletes this summer — by naming a street after him (Sky Simpson Blvd.) — Simpson said, “I love this city.”

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Simpson isn’t the only athlete with Down syndrome to make waves. Chris Nikic inspired multiple other athletes when he became the first person with Down syndrome to compete and finish an Ironman World Championship. “I am a typical person with Down syndrome and all the associated disabilities, except one,” Nikic said at the time. “I focus on my God-given abilities.”

Simpson and Nikic have amazing stories — and thanks to the inspiration they provide, such amazing stories are becoming even more common. But, whether or not they are athletically gifted, people with Down syndrome are worthy of life, dignity, and acknowledgment. Yet, the majority of babies diagnosed with Down syndrome in their mothers’ wombs are targeted for abortion, and in nations like Iceland, nearly 100% of preborn babies with Down syndrome are aborted. In England and Wales, around 90% of preborn babies with Down syndrome are killed. In the United States, 67% to 85% of all those with a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis are exterminated in utero. 

Those who see the beauty in individuals with Down syndrome must also learn to recognize that this beauty has been there from the moment they were conceived. In order to inspire others, they must be given the chance to live and thrive.

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