Cheryl Lynn Holt

Her nickname was “Smiley.” The name says it all. Her Christian name was Cheryl Lynn Holt. We were 22 years old and students at Baylor University when she was born. We were told that our newborn had one extra chromosome which made her a Down Syndrome. We fell out of the curve being young parents with a Downs child. This was an event most people believed occurred when you had children later in life. The nursing supervisor at the hospital recommended that we not see our newly delivered baby. She told us that most Downs would not live past the age of ten. It was recommended to us that the hospital staff would take our baby to the Austin State School where the State of Texas would care for her for the rest of her life.

We said we could not send her to the state school. “Her name is Cheryl, she is ours, and we are taking her home with us.”

We were the new generation that did not hide our children and shun our parental responsibilities. We mainstreamed our children into society and into schools, and developed Special Olympics. We are all better for off for including them into our family. Cheryl was an impact player. She influenced our lives. Sherley, her mother, became a high school teacher. I, Dr. Byron B. Holt, “Spike,” became an Obstetrician Gynecologist. Gala Holt Croft, her sister, spent the summers in the jungle of Nicaragua immunizing children. Mendie Holt Elliott, her sister, is a Speech-Language Pathologist who works with children with speech, language and learning disabilities. Dr. Todd Holt, her brother, is an Obstetrician Gynecologist, working with his father, at Women’s Health Care Center of Houston. Cheryl taught her nieces and nephews acceptance.

Cheryl’s greatest accomplishment was being one of the original 5 children who started Hope Village, located in Friendswood, Texas. Hope Village was the first private residential campus in Houston for physically and mentally challenged individuals. Hope Village is like a summer camp where you can be a kid for the rest of your life. Please Google Hope Village in Friendswood for further information on this remarkable establishment.

We salute Cheryl’s caregivers and longtime friends at Hope Village for their kindness and loving care. They were there with our family rubbing Cheryl’s back, kissing her forehead and saying “I Love You Cheryl.” Her friends stood vigil by her door during her final days. They are our heroes.

We are a family of faith. We are happy for Cheryl. A life ends, but a new life begins without limitations. She will be received, with a smile on her face, by many who love her. We love you Cheryl. Your beautiful smile will be with us forever.

Love,

Mom, Dad & Family

I want to share this eulogy with all of you who knew Cheryl and our family. We request no flowers. You will honor Cheryl and our family with any contribution to Hope Village, large or small. http://hope-village.com/

Dr. Byron “Spike” Holt