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fHfstftrrms fiBAMIVi 'yESSMSSS p.’tV’r Atlantan doesn’t let Down’s get her down by Carolyn Gold Speaking before a crowd of 200 people is a task that could make strong men quake and brave women tremble. Jill Kuniansky accomplished it with such ease that she received a standing ovation from those attending the recent National Down’s Syndrome Congress din ner at the Marriott Marquis. Jill, the daughter of Frances and Harry P. Kuniansky, was born with Down’s syndrome, a genetic birth defect that causes delays in the physical and mental development of a child. Now 26, Jill has made such strides that she was asked to talk about her life. The event was billed as “A Celebrity Affair With Miss Amer ica 1986.” The reigning beauty, Susan Akin, was on the pro gram. TV Anchor Monica Kauf man and Dave Michaels of CNN News were in charge of the cere monies. The president of the National Down’s Syndrome Congress, Frank Murphy spoke. But Jill Kuniansky’s speech was the spe cial feature of the event. Introduced by Dave Michaels, she was described as a very deter mined young lady. Michaels told a story he had heard about Jill from her mother. During the Vietnam War, Jill, then a little girl, saw a Life maga zine picture of a Vietnamese child with one leg. She asked her mother what happened to the girl’s other leg. Frances Kuniansky told Jill that the girl had lost her leg in an accident. Jill’s eyes filled with tears. Her mother told her not to worry, that doctors would fit the girl with an artificial leg. Then the girl would be able to run and play. Jill left the room with the magazine, only to return 10 min utes later to hug her mother and say, “Mother, I’m so lucky.” “Why are you so lucky, Jill?” Mrs. Kuniansky asked. With that, Jill stood back and said, “Look at me, I have two legs.” Following this introduction, Jill came out to give her speech. She later said she felt very com fortable as she had practiced it every night in the bathtub. “My name is Jill Kuniansky,” she told the crowd. “1 was born with Down’s syndrome. I have two sisters, a brother, two broth ers-in-law, two adorable nephews, and a mother and daddy who treat me very special. “When my sisters got married, I was in both of their weddings. 1 love to go to weddings and I love to dress up,” she continued. “I graduated from Northside High School, where I received my diploma. When I turned 25 I decided I was ready to move out. My daddy did not want me to, but I still wanted to. I love my mother and father very much, but sometime they were a pain in the neck. “I moved into The Atlanta Group Home. I love it there. We have had lots of training. We have learned how to plan menus, do our own grocery shopping, cook with no help and we have money management. We have our own checkbooks. We do have a housemother we can go to if we have a problem,” Jill related. “Every morning I wake up at 6:30. I go to work at the DeKalb Retardation Center. I ride MARTA from the Group Home and transfer at the Lenox sta tion. I ride MARTA to Brook- haven where 1 work. “At work I help take care of the preschool children. I try to teach them to feed themselves and communicate. 1 also run the washing machine and dryer and mop the kitchen floor. I have News & Reviews The . Southern Israelite A? BAGEL EATERY | “A JEWISH STYLE DELI’ W GOBBLE! GOBBLE! Our Delicious “Home-Cooked” Turkeys for Your Thanksgiving Dinner Roasted Turkeys * 2 - 49 lb< Turkey Hens 10-12 lbs. Tom Turkeys 24-26 lbs. Roasted Potatoes * 2 - 49 ,b * Tossed Salad * 2 - 49 lb - Fruit Compote * 4 - 99 lb * Challah Bread Stuffing * 2 - 49 lb - Raisin & Pecan Stuffing * 2 " ,b - BRISKETS - > .M 9 lb - Pumpkin, Mince, Cherry or Apple Pies *5.00 ea. Pecan or Chocolate Chess Pie • >5>s0 ea - ALL orders must be placed by Nov. 21st ALL orders must be picked up between 7 a.m. -12 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 26 Ask for Donna - 256-4411 Open daily 7 a.m.-9 p m.; Fri. & Sat. till 10 p.m.; Sun. till 8 p.m. TABLE SERVICE DAILY ABERNATHY SQUARE been working there for five years, and I love it. Everyone is so nice to me. “Meeting Miss America tonight has been the biggest thrill of my life. Thank you, Miss America, for coming here tonight. “I think I’m a pretty lucky girl, don’t you?” When Jill was questioned later as to who wrote her speech, she answered, “Me, my brain, and my mouth.” Mrs. Kuniansky described the event as “a lovely evening,” as many parents came up to her afterward to say what an inspira tion Jill had been. Frances Kuniansky credits the Atlanta Group Home with giv ing its residents a wonderful feel ing of self-worth. As its founder and president, she recently wrote an update letter describing the home’s accomplishments. “The residents are, without a doubt, the happiest group of young people you will ever see... We have been able to give our residents job training, which enables all of them to be gain fully employed,” she wrote. “That’s what we expect of our ‘normal’ children, but we feel doubly blessed that our special children are leading such productive lives.” Miss America Susan Akin with Jill Kuniansky. HERE’S HOW: For further information on maximizing tax benefits NOW, call Mike Pousman, Endowment Fund Director or Marilyn Shubin, Campaign Director, Atlanta Jewish Federation, 873-1661.