Joes Birthday Joe turned 51 on October 23

• • • Joe’s Birthday Joe turned 51 on October 23. . Joe used to start talking about his birthday months before the actual day. Years ago my husband I had to lay down a strict rule - Joe, you can begin talking about your birthday on October 1, but not before. Joe considers a birthday dinner with his family the highlight of the day. He also enjoys an ice-cream party for his co-workers, and of course, he loves receiving gifts. Joe always asks for gifts involving sports - a new Redskins hat, or a new Capitals shirt, or the newest magazines featuring his favorite professional sports - football, basketball and baseball. Joe likes getting older – he thinks every time he adds a number to his age, that’s a good thing. He considers that he is getting better and better every year. Joe has no clue that he may someday contract a chronic illness or become disabled physically or mentally – he really lives for the day – hmmm, is there a lesson there for the rest of us? Joe expects everyone to be excited about his birthday, but, he, in return is always excited about everyone else's birthday. You can rest assured that if Joe is at your birthday dinner, it will be a special occasion indeed.

Growing Up • • • • I was six years old when Joe was born. When I arrived home from school the day he and my mom came home from the hospital I rushed upstairs to see the new baby. I peered between the crib's bars - He was so little. His brown hair was so very fine. He was sleeping soundly in his crib. I looked forward to having a baby brother with whom to play. My early memories of Joe include images of his pedalling his Big Wheel bike as fast as he possibly could around the driveway in our back yard. He loved it when I pushed him as fast I could in the stroller - he would laugh and laugh. Joe also loved to engage in any kind of play that involved kicking, hitting, or throwing a ball. At nursery school at the Unitarian Church on Cedar Lane in Kensington, he loved his teachers, playing with his friends and learning about numbers and letters and colors. You may be thinking, Joe's childhood sounds like any other kid's childhood. But is there something special about Joe? Yes there is. Joe has a condition called Down Syndrome Physical features can include somewhat slanted eyes, small stature, a jutting lower jaw Cognitive delays - Other characteristics of those who have Down Syndrome - Loyalty to co-workers, friends and family, love of sports, love of good food, great sense of humor, a sense of what is right, a sense of accomplishment at work, with family, and in their hobbies. They are kind and earnest and funny and appreciative. Oh, and Joe could beat just about any of you at Checkers.

Sports • • Yesterday we went out to lunch. Usually Joe doesn't say much while he's eating; he's busy concentrating on what's important - enjoying his food! But yesterday he was quieter than usual. He had finished his lunch and was sitting there in an attitude of a prayer, his hands clasped under his chin. Joe, I said, are you okay? I'm thinking, he said. What are you thinking about? The Redskins. Ah, there was a game yesterday at 4 against the Denver Broncos . . . Now Joe has a great attitude about sports. He favors multiple teams, and to avoid disappointment he has this great ability to change loyalties several times during a game, usually choosing the winner as "his team". But there are three teams , the Redskins, the Baltimore Orioles, and the University of Maryland Terrapins for whom he has a deep abiding life long love. His disappointment when they lose is commensurate with his deep-felt loyalty. He will always call us to commiserate and discuss the game, since he knows we feel as badly as he does about the outcomes of the games in which his favorite teams lose. But Eventually he will pick himself up and say “Next week” or “Next year”. And then start talking about what games are next! there also two teams Joe could never root for – can you guess which ones they are? The New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys! We love to hate the Yankees and the Cowboys!

Sports Illustrated Swim Issue • Joe is normal in most ways that you and I are. He has an affinity for the opposite sex. In his room, plastered all over his walls, are magazine pages from the annual Illustrated Sports Weekly Swim issue, dating back about 5 years. He has had girlfriends over the years. There is a cute young woman, Vicki, with whom Joe works in the kitchen. Vickie obviously likes Joe. But Joe has often set his sights on a woman beyond his reach. Take Wonder Woman for example. Do you remember that show from the mid-1970 s?

Special Olympics • Joe is a very good golfer, He’s been playing since he was a little kids. Just like the rest of us, my mother would give Joe a 5 -iron and take him around the little par-3 course we grew up on. Joe and I play Special Olympics golf together as partners. We have been to two national tournaments. I am convinced there is a special golf gene on that extra chromosome. Fully 1/3 of the golfers at the national tournament have Down Syndrome. I coach Joe and Joe coaches me. When I ask him to remind me “keep my head down” and “slow down my backswing” he does not forget – Slow down my sister, keep your head down!

WWE • • He also idolizes the professional wrestlers of the WWE – world wide wrestling.

Reading, Writing, Arithmetic • Much to the surprise of many, Joe reads at about a 3 rd grade level. This provides him many hours of pleasure as he pores over the statistics in sports magazines and the newspapers. He also keeps track of all the television shows he has ever seen and keeps extensive notes – he calls this work. Do you want to know the lineup of this week’s NFL games – call Joe. Do you want to hear about every old episode of Star Trek with James t. Kirk – call Joe.

Math • Now when it comes to Math, Joe is not so good after the number 10.

Pretty good actor • Joe is deaf in one ear. But he’s learned to be a pretty good actor. If you forget to talk into his good ear, and he doesn’t hear what you said he strives to please by nodding his head affably and saying “I know. ” Joe, did you brush your teeth today? I know • Joe, did you ride your bike today? I know • Joe, how was your work – I know. He certainly does not lack in self-confidence!

Companion • Finally, Joe is a great travel companion. He and I took a 3 -day weekend to Rehobeth during the furlough. He likes what I like. Lounging in the really nice room at the Hotel Rehobeth, eating good food, walking on the board walk, sitting on the beach and watching the people, shopping at the outlets, and enjoying a good glass of wine. When Joe meets someone new, he puts out his hand to shake yours and says Hi I’m Joe • With every expectation that you are as glad to meet him as he is to meet y