LJ Cross

LJ Cross is the son of Dr. Joseph and Margery Cross of Elizabethtown Kentucky. LJ was born in Staunton Virginia in 1989, the first month of his life was spent in the NICU at the University of Virginia Medical Center fighting for his life and undergoing treatment for Myeloproliferative disorder (known as transient Leukemia) found prominently in children with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). The Cross family was relocated to Fort Knox Kentucky in 1999 where Joseph as a non-traditional student enrolled in WKU Fort Knox and Elizabethtown completing a Bachelors in General Studies and Master of Arts in Education. Upon retirement from the US Army the Cross Family (Joseph, Margery, Adam, Megan, LJ, and Abigail) moved to Elizabethtown. Adam graduated from Ball State with a degree in Special Education and Megan graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Child Development. Megan, LJ, and Abigail also simply known as LJ’s sisters graduated from Central Hardin High School in 2018. Abigail is current attending WKU studying Bio-Chemistry. LJ has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism.

LJ over the years has been involved in Special Olympic basketball, bowling, and track and field competing at the local and state level. During these events LJ’s sister (Abigail) and companion has always been present, Abigail is currently a student at WKU perusing a degree in Bio-Chemistry. The joy that these events brings the special needs community through the helpful volunteers is always greatly appreciated by parents, family and guardians. Many times members of the special needs community feel isolated by the outside world, the young men and women who volunteer their time provide the needed and desired interaction that can truly make a difference in others’ lives. Over the years, LJ has had many such people making major impacts on his life through peer mentors, and just being his buddy. The joy that these interaction make cannot be measured in dollars, seeing the smile on his face during these interactions is priceless.

The LJ Cross Scholarship Fund was established by Dr. Joseph and Margery Cross and the entire Cross Family, to honor those young members of the community who take time out of their busy schedules to work with the special needs community. The fund assists WKU students that are enrolled full-time at Western Kentucky University who have worked with the special needs community in peer mentoring, Special Olympics and other areas that support these young men and women. First preference of this fund must graduate from Central Hardin High School in Elizabethtown KY.