Down Syndrome Day 2014

Hey everybody,

I haven’t posted in a while with the business growing and it being Cassie’s senior year.  Needed to take some time to acknowledge a very special member in our family on this great day.

My brother is Down’s.  Does that mean he is Down Syndrome, has Down Syndrome?  Is it what defines him or will people see the incredible contribution to society he is?   We understood he approached life differently when we were little, but the main thing he was to me was . . .  a brother.  There were up sides, down sides, learning moments and teaching times.  A give and take from both of us.  As an admitted work-a-holic it goes against my grain to “stop and smell the roses.”  Andy has done  his best since childhood to remind me of this.  As a child it came in offers of “sissy, bikes!   “Sissy race.”    As in adult it comes with a statement of “let it go, sissy”,  and offers to take me to coffee.   He is still there as an adult to lend a helping hand.  He has cleared rooms in my house and done his best to make things tidy.  It might all be piled in a closet, but hey you can close the door to a closet.  Plus he definitely got it cleared faster than my type A of needing to sort and laboriously organize for hours.

Maybe Down’s stands for the way his love comes through when he stands up for you or  delivers a hug.   No one is allowed to raise their voice at his sisters or nieces, he will let them know.   He is quick to “be in the moment”  and enjoy the fullness of life.  One of my favorite times with him is in the car.  He rocks out while creating an entire air band.  As the radio belts out a variety of music he is rather adept at keeping the beat with his air drums and making the guitar scream.   I ask you, when was the last time you had a concert in your car?   The best is when people in other vehicles at the stop lights or passing by look our way.  They seem bored, but my brother and I are having a great time!  I guess Down Syndrome to me stands for  DO Whatever Necessary . . . Succeed.   It may not be done the same way you expect.  You just might have to rearrange your thinking and approach to a situation.  Sometimes it takes longer and more patience to get there.   Along the way the journey will be filled with reminders that God created these beings to demonstrate a powerful concept.    Life’s seeming hurdles are often our greatest gifts.  My brother Andy is one of the most special guys in my life.  I hope he knows how very proud I am he was chosen to be my brother, and I get to be his sissy.  I love you little brother!

Photos of my brother Andy with my Dad, Mom, his nieces Cassie and Kelsey, and his brother-in-law Nathan.