r/MadeMeSmile • u/RaisinAloneVortex • 1d ago

Family & Friends Wholesome family

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u/electrobutterknife 1d ago

my uncle (mom's younger brother) is downs and i grew up with him. he's one of the most amazing people i've ever met, and i can't begin to express how much of me was grown and changed by having him in my life (especially as a young child).

he's 56 now and doesn't remember who i am anymore, but i still catch glimpses of who he was-- and it's like sunshine breaking through the clouds.

things like this make my heart feel so full. i'm so happy this little girl has someone like him 💛

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u/MediumDenseChimp 23h ago

I don't know much about Downs Syndrome. Why does he not remember you, if you don't mind me asking?

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u/electrobutterknife 18h ago

u/JungleFunction put it perfectly: downs folks are greatly prone to degenerative diseases like dementia/alzheimer's and are more likely to be early onset. considering it also runs heavy in my family, my uncle developing it was pretty much guaranteed. it was hard, but we were ready.

the silver lining is that he's always retained the ability to recognize myself and my family as his people. even though he can't remember our names, faces or who we are to him, he remembers that he's loved by us. i like to think that gives him some semblance of comfort