Down syndrome day celebrated enriched opportunities

Re: Family moments — March 17

I read with interest the notice that March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day. The photos of the children were delightful. They are such happy pictures. People with Down syndrome are naturally happy. They delight in family and friends, going to school or playing on a sports team.

It wasn’t always like that. My brother, John Bryn White, had Down syndrome. Only, when he was born in 1949 it was called mongolism. When he was born there were no sports teams for him. There wasn’t even a school. My parents, along with other parents, were on their own. They paid to start their own school, rented the space and hired the teacher. My parents were advised to place him in a asylum.

Children with Down syndrome today have such a bright future compared to what was.

There are regular schools, with individual educational plans, enlightened teachers and parents, health services like speech therapy and organizations that provide support and enrichment opportunities.

John lived to be 66, unusual for a person with Down syndrome.

I like to think it was partly the loving family he was born into, the efforts of our family to keep him at home, and then the loving David Fisher Residence and the wonderful personality — sunny, bright and loving — my brother John had. Joanne Baxter

Waterloo