The Eddie Series 3/3: Sandye, Niece

(THE EDDIES SERIES 3/3: Sandye, Niece)

Eddie is 58. He sometimes calls himself “Old Man Gregory '' and I guess he’s not wrong. The current life expectancy for people with DS is now the ripe old age of 60, not bad considering that 30 years ago it was only 30 years old. However, there is a heartbreaking irony to aging with DS. According to the CDC, 30% of adults with DS will be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in their 50’s, growing to 50% of those living into their 60’s.

Eddie was born in 1964, the youngest of 7. He was expected to achieve all the milestones that the other kids did, from tying his shoes to riding a bike, and Eddie thrived. He’s had a remarkable life. He’s been a swimmer, a bowler, a powerlifter, a basketball player, and a kayaker with the Special Olympics. He’s worked in the private sector, the last 20 years as a bagger at Publix. He’s an artist. He’s a gentleman. He is the kindest soul I’ve ever met. He’s never met a stranger, and never ate a meal that wasn’t delicious (whether it’s a bologna sandwich or a fancy steak). He is silly and soft spoken, and so darn cute you just can’t help but love him. He’s a beloved brother, uncle and friend, and he gives the BEST HUGS on the planet! Yet we worry every day that he will slip into the cruel confusion that is Alzheimer’s.

We watch closely for any signs, and we see a few. He’s not quite as sharp as he once was. But he’s still his capable, loveable self. So we do our best to keep his mind busy and his body healthy. We enjoy every crazy day. Oh, the stories we could tell, like the time he sprayed blue spray paint all over the bathroom thinking it was air freshener. But we wouldn’t trade him for the world.

#TheLuckyFew #TheLuckyFewFoundation #DownSyndrome #ThisIsDownSyndrome