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When the Kevari family was asked to sit down with us to talk to us about Chris...
...there was no shortage of volunteers.
>>Shirley Kevari: He was just a joy and a fine young man.
>>Mary Lou Peterson: I am always telling people about Chris and showing them pictures...
...and saying, you know, he is in Special Olympics and he has a job.
>>Vicki Kevari: There is not a moment that Chris has not shown what life is!
He took what was dealt to him and made the best of it.
After spending only minutes with the Kevari family, it was clear to see...
...that it wasn't the lights and cameras that they showed up for.
It was each other and this is exactly what they have been doing...
...since the day Chris was born.
>>Connie Kevari: The doctor told me Down Syndrome...
...and I knew immediately what that meant.
>>Robert Kevari: I made the statement that it is going to be alright..
...when we got home because I had total support from my mom.
>>Shirley Kevari: He said, "What am I going to do mother?"
And I said, "Oh, Robert. You must bring the baby home and try."
I said, "We don't know what lies ahead."
And in an instant, what was the start of a family became the start of a team...
...a team of equal players with equal worth and equal abilities.
>>Vicki Kevari: There are no limitations we expect from him.
He does everthing that everybody else does.
>>Robert Kevari: My daughter used to say that he doesn't have a disability.
There was just fairness in this home that we raised him in.
>>Erich Kevari: He was always the bigger brother who was better at sports...
...and taught me how to do things.
The Kevari's have always been an athletic family,
but as some will tell you, Chris just may be the best athlete in the bunch.
>>Chris Kevari: I play basketball, soccer, field hockey, and bowling.
>>Tabitha Kevari: What is amazing is that Chris can ski and the rest of us can't.
He is really good at basketball and the rest of us probably have never played basketball.
What Chris may lack in natural talent, he makes up for with hard work and determination.
There doesn't seem to be anything that Chris Kevari can't do.
>>Erich Kevari: Apart from driving, I don't know anything he can't do.
He uses a cell phone better than my mom does.
>>Shirley Kevari: When he was in high school, bless his heart, he was in every play...
...and he attended every prom. He has had girlfirends...
...and there isn't a sport that I don't think he hasn't tried.
While in high school, Chris even became an integral part of the varsity football team.
>>Coach Jim Walker: Chris has been a part of our managerial crew for quite a while.
He and a lot of his compadres have worked with us...
...and shared the sideline with us.
In fact, they lead our football team onto the field every Friday night.
Working with the football team was only the beginning.
Like all of the Kevari children, as Chris graduated from high school...
...he entered the work force.
>>Kathy Klicka: He was really, really eager to have a job and do well.
So, he eventually ended up here, at Gourmet Pizza...
...and he has been here ever since.
>>Robert Kevari: I liked it very much because I had that sense that...
...he was going to be part of the community. and that gave me that security...
...that I really admire that for what people have done for him...
..to get him the job at Gourmet Pizza.
Now 32 years old, Chris Kevari is a bit of an icon in the city of Redlands...
...sending a few smiles and a few life lessons along the way.
>>Coach Jim Walker: I mean after every game, we could get beat by 35...
...and Chris is up there, the first guy to shake my hand and tell me good job.
>>Kathy Klicka: I think he is a great part of who the community is...
...and I think it is good for everyone to undertand that we all have a part to play...
...and that we all can find our niche and be happy, contributing individuals.