Uncle Eddie.



My uncle was unique.

He loved to listen to Cub games on the radio.

He could sit and put together a jigsaw puzzle for hours.

He loved to smile.

His favorite reply was "sure!"

His name was Eddie,

and he was our Uncle Eddie.

He had Down Syndrome,

an extra chromosome.





The beautiful video above from Coordown reminds us that this Friday 

March 21 

(that extra chromosome - 21 to be exact!)

was chosen to be




remember Busia with Uncle Eddie?

 but this video above also answers a future mother's letter,

 who is frightened by what it means to raise a child 
with 
Down Syndrome


For my grandmother,
rather then "putting him away" as the unknowing always advised,
She was determined to raise Uncle Eddie just like her other children.


My grandmother's heart was fierce for this boycub of hers.




And so Eddie grew up in the 1940's with his siblings...



Playing the kid games of the war era just like the others,



And learning how to do chores... just like the rest of the kids 


It wasnt always easy for him
or
his siblings.


and it especially wasnt easy for my grandmother at times...



But then life isnt always easy either.



 Guess what though?    

Love always conquers doubt.

So whats most important is they made sure he had opportunity to grow.

And 

know that he was loved too.

Dont worry Future Mom of a child with Down Syndrome,


it  will  be okay.


~





Thank you Uncle Eddie, for teaching us how to accept others,

no matter what our limitations are.

Uncle Eddie   1937-2006

I didnt know it at the time, but

You helped raise me into who I am today.



~


for more information, please click on the links below!







Thank you for looking!

xoxo



~




Comments

  1. Oh this is beautiful the video was perfect and made me smile. Uncle Eddie and his whole family were very lucky to have one another LOVE does conquer everything. Uncle Eddie helped raise you eh so now I get why you are so amazing. Beautiful post. Hug B

    ps Love the header.

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  2. What a great post. My mom worked with Down syndrome children. They are such sweet and loving people. And they do love to hug!

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  3. i like your grandmother - a good woman. sweet tribute to your uncle, too.

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  4. Thank you so much for this post, my sister had the worst type of Down's syndrome, she was not supposed to live long, but died in 2005 at the age of 58. She couldn't talk or have eye contact with you, yet she was so full of joy and love. My sister.

    I have been away from blogging for a while and had no idea about Dexter Dog. I was trying to learn to use feedly and since your blog is on the top I chose it and saw his adorable face. Then I read, and I cried, I still am. And I am so, so sorry. I know how much he meant to you. I hope Samson will make you smile sometime again in the future. It may well be way too soon now. Please take care, my friend, and I am so, so sorry for this loss of your best bud.

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  5. Oh that was such a nice post. Heart felt and well said. Your grandmother was wise to listen to her heart.

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  6. Sometime you hear the question-If you could interview someone alive or dead, who would it be? I think your Grandma would have to be one of my choices. I know back then if you had a child that was born not "normal" there was great pressure to institutionalize them, and most people did. The love and determination in your family is inspiring. RIP Uncle Eddie! You made a difference!

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  7. GW Feral Woman,

    A lovely tribute to Uncle Eddie, thank you for sharing!

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  8. Wonderful post. And bless your grandmother and your Uncle Eddie, they helped make you the wonderful woman you are

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  9. DS folks have the happiest souls and bring joy with their smiles. God bless your granma- what a woman of character!

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  10. Shirley just said what I was going to say. Great tribute!

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  11. What a great post. And what a great family. A whole lotta loving going on there - you're the proof.

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  12. Such a great post.
    Your grandmother and Uncle Eddie were lucky to have one another, seems they taught and shared much with others as well.
    Learning about acceptance and loving people as they are , for the wonderful souls they are is a gift all the way around.

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  13. An interesting post that I enjoyed reading.

    Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

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  14. What a very sweet post.

    Cindy Bee

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  15. Hi there, I just popped over from Buttons' blog to thank you for letting us know it was her birthday week. Thank you !! :D)
    Then I decided to have a look around your blog. I read this post and was so touched by it. I love how your grandmother raised your uncle and how "her heart was fierce for this boycub of hers". Life goes on doesn't it, but it's the knowing of special acts by special people that uplift us at times.
    Good luck to you in the rebuilding of your home. You've inherited your grandmother's toughability. Cheers and happy days in abundance to you :D) oh and no response needed either ;D)

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