By Thomas Pacheco, 8th grade
When I was a lot younger, I would watch a show that told trains they were “really useful engines.” I think we are so blessed as people not to have to worry if we are really “useful,” because not everyone can be “useful.” Like the vulnerable. As a result, it takes moral courage to defend them, provide for them, and continually educate ourselves and others on defending all life.
But what is moral courage? I define courage as when you stand up for or do something hard or scary. Moral means doing the right thing and following your principles. As a result, moral courage is when you stand up for the vulnerable, even when it is hard and scary. The vulnerable are people who need protection, whether it be a preborn child, the disabled, or the elderly. In today’s world, these groups aren’t valued because they are not considered “useful” or “productive.” You do not need to be “useful” to have value because we were made in God’s image and likeness. Every one of us has the potential to make an impact—big or small.
I think a lot of people lack moral courage. However, we know that through God, we can do hard things. That is our family motto. It is a good thing it is our family motto because two of my parents’ four kids have special needs. They know how hard it is raising special needs kids. Still, my parents were not afraid to have more children. Special needs kids are great and bring joy to families. It is quite the accomplishment to raise one. I know because they have raised me!
I was diagnosed with autism when I was a year old. My parents did not abandon me but took care of me and continue to advocate for me. I was not able to talk and had therapists with me in school. Now, I am in 8th grade performing in drama and tackling Algebra II independently. Even kids with severe disabilities are great. My eight-year-old brother, Simon, cannot talk, and he is always cheerful. My mom was not afraid to take Simon out into the world. Now, with his service dog, he can go anywhere and do a lot of stuff that he originally could not do. We know that kids with severe disabilities get to go straight to heaven, so we have the joy of knowing we are living with a future saint!
All life matters. That is why we should make sure we inform and educate ourselves in pro-life matters. We need to be on offense. I plan to use my parents’ example, with my experiences, to advocate for people with disabilities and to show people that the vulnerable are not a burden but a joy and a path to heaven. Through God, we all can have the moral courage to defend the vulnerable, provide for them, and continually educate ourselves and others on defending all life.
Thomas Pacheco won second place in the middle school category of the Culture of Life Studies Program’s 2025 Pro-Life Essay Contest.