Remembering Guy on his birthday

Happy heavenly birthday Guy

On April 20 Guy would have been 60 years old.

Born in 1966 to a life full of challenges.

The year decimal currency was introduced and bread was about 17 cents and milk 19 cents a litre and sold in glass bottles with a foil top and both could be delivered to the door step of your house.

Life was simple and birthdays seemed to take so long to come around. Money was tight and gifts were things like a new ball, a toy car or a doll.

Guy, as he got older, loved his birthday and quite often started to talk about the next one only week’s after the last. He especially loved a milestone birthday. When he was 50 we planned an open invitation party for anyone who wanted to celebrate with him at the Bowling Club. He had the most amazing night and many people came. The canvas signature board we made for him still hangs proudly above his bed. He didn’t just love his birthday he enjoyed celebrating with anyone having their special day and always wanted to give something often purchasing flowers or some random thing that he thought would be enjoyed by the recipient.

Guy loved to help, give and share. Friendships were so valuable to him and he often told us ‘they like me‘, with a massive smile . He gave generously all his life.

I write about our brother to keep is memory alive. To encourage people to realise that disability does not define you. To remind ourselves of the challenges that face parents and family of children with disability. Sacrifice and love that family dedicate to raising, nurturing and supporting children. It goes without saying this is true for any child brought into the world but children with disability need so much more because some never grow up to work and function in society and without this dedication from family their life would be very different.

We realise that some people who read this article may have never met Guy as it is almost 8 years since he passed away. His passing was the perfect situation where he was able to help someone one last time. He was placed on life support after suffering a seizure from an undiagnosed brain abscess. This allowed our family to decide if he could one last gift and he did. That gift was his kidneys and there a two extremely grateful people enjoying a better life as a result of this decision.

Finally, we would ask if you, in Guy’s memory, could think about Organ Donation, donating to a charity or maybe just making someone smile.

DOWN SYNDROME IS A JOURNEY NEVER PLANNED BUT WE SURE DID LOVE OUR TOUR GUIDE.

Happy birthday little brother

From all your family and many friends.