“Fulfilling Their Duties to God,” New Era, Nov. 2003, 37
Fulfilling Their Duties to God
Like all young men, Stephen and Richard Frustaci have a duty to God. But until the Duty to God program was changed and expanded two years ago, they probably wouldn’t have been able to receive the award.
Stephen and Richard, both priests in the Fort Apache Ward, Las Vegas Lakes Stake, were born with mild cerebral palsy, a condition that can impair speech, vision, reflexes, and learning. But it doesn’t mean they can’t try to do many of the same things other youth enjoy. And it doesn’t mean they don’t have a duty to God.
It just means they have to approach things a little differently; they have to be flexible. So they appreciate the new Duty to God program, which was redesigned to be adaptable, so that every young man can earn it regardless of his physical, financial, or family circumstances.
“It is our great desire that there is never one who will be excluded,” says Elder F. Melvin Hammond, Young Men general president. “There are some requirements that some young men may not be able to accomplish. But it is our hope that they’ll set the goals they can attain and move forward as spiritual giants in this kingdom.”
Growing Giants
When Stephen and Richard were born in 1985, twins were exciting, triplets happened occasionally, and quadruplets were rare. That septuplets were even possible was a relatively new idea.
Being in the first set of septuplets born in the United States brought a lot of attention to their family. Sadly, only Stephen, Richard, and their sister, Patti, survived the first few weeks, and the brothers were left battling cerebral palsy. Soon all the attention diminished, and the brothers would learn that being different isn’t easy.
“They’ve had to deal with a lot of teasing growing up because they couldn’t do some of the things other kids were doing,” says their father, Sam.
When their friends or family members play sports, Stephen’s and Richard’s participation is limited. But the two boys don’t see themselves as handicapped. They always give everything their best shot.
For example, when Richard (whose reflexes are better than Stephen’s) got a skateboard, Stephen wanted to ride it too. He didn’t give up until he had learned to balance and roll slowly down the street.
“He’s got real stick-to-itiveness,” Brother Frustaci says. “Neither of them gives up.”
Every Young Man
The Frustaci brothers’ challenges haven’t kept them from enjoying life. Stephen loves to play with the dogs, read, and run. He recently made his school track team. Richard loves music, skateboarding, and playing water polo.
Their challenges also won’t keep them from earning the Duty to God Award.
“There are some requirements Stephen won’t be able to do,” stepmom Toni says, “and some might have to be modified. But I think kids with challenges would be able to accomplish most of these requirements.”
Among the Duty to God goals for priests are to get a part-time job (something Stephen hasn’t been able to find yet), get a driver’s license (something he probably won’t ever be able to do—much to his dismay), and hike 15 miles with a pack in two days or less (the 15 miles is fine, but the pack is out).
Even so, with a little help the brothers are capable of completing enough requirements in each category to earn the award—which is only fitting, since like every young man, these brothers have a duty to fulfill and a desire to fulfill it.
Photography courtesy of the Frustaci family