Two amazing people with DS

We have a guy in his thirties called Zac with DS at our church. He is a real character and everyone loves him. On Sunday he did the Communion message and did a fantastic job. He loves getting behind a microphone. Not long ago a group from our church went on a missionary trip to the Phillipines. Zac preached at many of the places there - we got to see him on video and he was awesome.

This afternoon I took my son, Joel, to rugby practice and there were two people there with DS. One guy, Josh, was fairly shy and was a bit unhappy because he said he doesn't like the cold and doesn't like football but there was a girl there called Mary and she was a really bright spark. She is in her early thirties and was telling me what she was cooking for dinner - rissoles and vegies. She said she loves to cook and does most of the cooking in the unit she shares with another girl. She also told me about helping her parents with wildlife care and how they look after australian wildlife who have been orphaned and then release them back into the bush. She was extremely articulate and wonderful to chat with.

Zac works at the local Franklins store and Mary works part-time in Canberra (takes the bus there each work day). I know that they didn't have the same opportunities that our kids are getting but they have still developed into very capable adults who are a pleasure to know.

Wow that's awesome Karyn. Working with animals....I hadn't considered that for Jirah but what a great idea! Thanks for sharing...

Cas

Thanks for sharing. It so inspiring hearing to hear that.

Our middle son came home one day(he's 13). He plays Touch Football for inter-school sports. He couldn't wait to tell me that they travelled over to play another school, and he watched their B team play before he had his game. He said "mum, there was a boy in the other team playing against our B team, and he had DS and he was really good and fast how cool aye" He was so excited, and started cheering for him (of course his mates followed suit and were cheering him on too).

Hubby has been working a construction site, where a truck driver who has been delivering their steel has DS. Apparently his dad helped him set up his business, but is very independent in running things for himself.

Great stories!

Missyflower, do you mean this guy with DS drives a truck? I might be showing my ignorance a bit here, but I have never heard of anyone with DS getting their license, and didn't even know it was possible.

yep.... he has his truck license.. how cool is that He is an owner/driver ( i think!) his father helped him get set up. It is possible. He's apparently in his 30's. Our aunty and uncle came to visit Tori on the weekend and she was telling us that she's nearly 60 and still hasn't got her license. Then she was reading an article in the local paper and this young lady with DS had just got her drivers license.. She was so ashamed that at nearly 60 she still hasn't got around to it.

Its so inspiring isn't it

It is very inspiring. I am quite embarrassed to admit that I didn't even know it was possible / allowed, as I have just never heard of it. Funnily enough, I was thinking just the other day how great it would be if it was ever possible for Georgia to get her wheels! Now I find it's yet another wonderful thing to aim for. Thanks!!

I would have been exactly the same. We are just coming across all these wonderful inspirational lives. I'm sure we have many more to learn about.

Isn't it exciting hehehe

missyflower wrote:

She was so ashamed that at nearly 60 she still hasn't got around to it.

I know people without DS that still haven't got their license and they're in their 40s. I think it would be great to be able to rely on other people and public transport to get around. I couldn't do it I don't think. I'd love for Jirah to get her license, however

Cas

I was 33 when I got my license. Previous to that I had lived in London, and then St Kilda in Melbourne, where there was tons of public transport and there was never a need. Then all of a sudden I found myself with one child, and another on the way, and living on the Mornington Peninsula, with access only to a bus. It had to be done. It was scary, but 4 years on I really have no idea how I survived without it all those years. Oh my gosh, the FREEDOM. I drive pretty much every single day now. Will have a break today though, as school holidays have started, no kinder run. PJ day

There have been adults with DS get their licence (I don't think it's THAT common though def possible depending on how high functioning they are) but driving a truck blows me away....

:silent: Okay ladies I'm getting scared now... maybe I have to confirm with DH that he's correct. He did get his contact details and spoke to him (of course didn't say to him... do you have DS?) He told him that his Dad encouraged him to get out and do it. But maybe we have to confirm that the details are correct. DH was so blown away with his determination, but again... I have to make sure DH knows for sure he has DS. He's only just starting out to get some business, maybe I should get DH to give him a call, but how do yah sorta get around to asking him without being too offensive?

And Cas, yes... I'm not sure about Tori either driving lol but maybe in their day, who knows what kinda technology they will have by then.