Down syndromes are the gifted ones

If I didn't have an older brother who had down's syndrome I'm pretty sure I would not know how to behave or interact with people like them. It'd be easy to stare and think how different we are from one another. I guess most people who don't personally know someone with this handicap could be unaware that they are very much like them with similar emotions and dreams.

Down's Syndrome occurs because of the presence of an extra chromosome, they are born with 47 instead of 46. This is also now medically referred to as T-21. I loved something I read on another blog where a young girl wrote about her DS sister: 'My sister thinks she is like a cake that has extra sugar...."I am just sweeter, and more sugar is better anyways..." People who have Down's Syndrome are notorious for their sweet, fun spirit.'

I know this is true. Erik touched lives and is continuing to do so w/ his gentle, sincere manner. Many things stand out from his life in this regard:

Anytime I spoke to Erik and told him I didn't feel well or that anyone in our family was sick he always responded, "Awww, I pray for you", or " Awww, I pray for them".

Growing up, he appointed himself as the welcome wagon in our neighborhood. One neighbor told me as they were moving in Erik came along on his bike wanting to say "Hey, I'm Erik!" Another neighbor told me that Erik knocked on her door and said Hi and ended up visiting for a while with her elderly father-in-law. She said he never forgot about his visit with Erik.

One night many years ago my parents were next door at a dinner party with friends, Erik made his way over there to say hi and see what all the fun was. He sat at the table with them and noticed one man was smoking. He looked at this man (who was a very successful businessman) and said, "Why do you smoke? Smoking killed my granddad. I don't want you to die." This man said later he decided to quit smoking because of Erik's gentle words to him.

Erik's co-workers at the hospital always loved having him around. He checked on them and they watched after him. Erik's retirement party from the hospital where he worked for over 25 years was a huge event. People were in tears having to say good-by to him. His boss arranged with the mayor to have that day - January 31, 2007 - declared as "Erik Barret Day". The picture below is Erik at the party holding the proclamation. Whenever Erik is back in this area and we take him to visit the hospital, he is showered with love

Erik continues to touch lives and he doesn't even know he's doing it. God uses him. At his group home he's made such amazing friends. Seeing them together is so moving. One time we drove Erik back to his group home after a holiday. We arrived as his friends were eating lunch. He hi-tailed it over to the lunchroom, opened the door, went in, threw up his hands and announced "I'm back!!!!"..... resulting in more showering of love.

God uses Erik in my life, he helps me to have a softer heart. I need lots of help in that area most of the time.

Have you heard of a man who used to coach the Aggies and the Dallas Cowboys, Gene Stallings? He had a son Johnny who had Down's. Johnny passed away at age 46 and I found a tribute to him which sums it all up:

Every life matters. The life of Johnny Stallings teaches us that God can use anyone, no matter how insignificant in society's eyes, to make an impact on others. Johnny had none of the things that you and I take for granted, but Johnny touched countless lives in ways none of us can even begin to imagine. Our materialistic, success-driven culture doesn't really know what to do with people like Johnny. Society certainly didn't know what to do with Johnny when he was born 46 years ago. But God did.