Do you know the celebrated bass singer Ruggero Raimundi? On
November 23, 1989, he related an astonishing fact on Jacques Chancel's radio program.
Outside the theatre, Raimundi never sings. He makes but one exception: he sings for his
fourth son, Rodrigo, "who was born with one too many chromosomes." Now, mama and
papa and the three big brothers accepted and welcomed this little child
with Downs.
"For my wife and me, Rodrigo is now a gift from God. A gift from heaven. He has
brought us to discover depths of soul within us we never suspected. Yes, treasures which
in the normal circumstances of life we wouldn't have seen, because we ignore them."
And with his artistic sensitivity, Raimundi added: "Still today, when people hear the
word Mongoloid, many of them think it is something to reject, not allow to be born,
or to put in hospitals, special places. That is an appalling error. Infants with Downs Syndrome
should be kept within the family circle. We must love them, surround them with affection.
They return your love a hundredfold to the point of extravagance! You cannot imagine my
happiness when I see Rodrigo again and sing for him. He is there, smiles at me and kisses
me without end. It's indescribable. Rodrigo is very endearing, without doubt, because he
feels himself accepted as he is."
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