Democratic vice presidential candidate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz waves to the crowd with his family after speaking at the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago on Wednesday. Walz’s wife, Gwen (right), daughter Hope (left) and son Gus joined him. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Tim Walz didn’t mention the word disability once as he accepted the Democratic vice presidential nomination this week, but it was his son Gus, who has a disability, who stole the show.
Gus Walz, 17, cried Wednesday night as he sat with his mother, Gwen, and sister, Hope, as they watched the Minnesota governor deliver his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
“Hope, Gus and Gwen, you are my whole world and I love you,” Tim Walz said.
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An emotional Gus Walz pointed at his father, stood up and said, “I love you,” while nodding emphatically. “That’s my dad!” he said.
The moment came just weeks after Tim and Gwen Walz He told People magazine that her son Gus has a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD, and an anxiety disorder.
“When our youngest son, Gus, was little, it became increasingly apparent that he was different from his classmates,” the couple told People. “Gus preferred video games and spending more time alone.”
They said Gus Walz was not diagnosed with the disease until he was approaching his teens.
“Like many American families, it took us a while to figure out how to do everything we could to make Gus successful during his childhood,” the couple said. “It took time, but what was immediately clear to us was that Gus’s condition is not an impediment, but his secret power.”
Nonverbal learning disorders affect activities not related to words or speech, such as problem solving, visuospatial tasks and recognizing social cues, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Tim and Gwen Walz said their son “is brilliant, very aware of details that many of us overlook, and above all, he is a great son and brother to his brother.”
Katy Neas, executive director of The Arc, said she hopes having a major party candidate who has a child with a disability will help normalize the experience and draw attention to the needs of people in this population.
“The Walz family is one of millions of people across the country who include a person with a disability (about 1 in 6 children has a developmental disability), but their experiences are often overlooked in national conversations,” she said. “Showcasing families with disabilities on the national stage sends a powerful message that people with disabilities are valuable members of society who enrich their families and communities and deserve full inclusion in all aspects of community life. We hope this increased visibility will lead to more meaningful discussions across the political spectrum about policies that foster more inclusive education, employment opportunities, and accessible health care for people with disabilities.”
Maria Town, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, said it was heartwarming for many in the disability community to see the Walz family’s love and support for Gus, but she also shared concern for the teen, noting that there are already memes online mocking his reactions during his father’s speech.
“I hope serious efforts are being made to protect Gus’ physical and emotional safety as we approach the election,” Town said. “His visibility can provide an opportunity to change the national debate, and we implore all Americans to address anything Gus wants us to know about his story with candor and respect.”
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