March 17, 2008 12:22 AM
Born with Down syndrome, in love with life
From the Fort Worth Star Telegram (thanks, Kendra!):
Austin the amazing
Doctors advised Austin Underwood's parents to expect nothing from their Down syndrome baby. Twenty-nine years later, he has proven them wrong. He's been to college, lives independently and, best of all, wakes up happy every day.By Mary Rogers
Austin Underwood, 29, believes the sky's the limit. He's beaten unbelievable odds and claimed happiness as his perpetual state of mind.
He swings into the supermarket, snatches up a small shopping basket, waves to his boss and makes a beeline for the bananas. He has carefully combed his straight, brown hair, shaved his soft, round cheeks and tucked his pink button-down shirt into his jeans -- but on this day he is not working.
Instead he is making banana pudding -- his grandmother's recipe -- and this, like almost everything else in life, makes him smile.
At 29, Austin Underwood is the rarest of creatures: a genuinely happy man.
Against all odds, he has grabbed the brass ring of independence and he isn't about to let go. Never mind that he can't read, or write, or drive a car, or count to 40.
Forget that sometime during the miracle of his beginning one more chromosome added to the mystery of his DNA. That extra chromosome marked him forever as one with Down syndrome, a disorder characterized by flat features, upward-slanting eyes and limited mental capabilities.
The day Austin was born, doctors told his parents he had no future -- would never even be potty trained. "Don't get attached," said one. "Put him away."
But Austin has done what many with average intelligence have not; he has carved out a place for himself in a sprawling Texas Metroplex.
He pays his way in the world with money he earns as a supermarket bagger combined with a disability check. His parents have made financial arrangements for his future, but his mother says she hasn't given him money in years.
He shares an apartment with a roommate, cleans, cooks and volunteers at a nonprofit resale shop. He walks to work and to the movies, occasionally takes the train to Dallas to see a girlfriend and sometimes flies to New York City to visit his brother.
He remembers other people's birthdays, worries about his weight, wants to look good in a swimsuit and likes to get dressed up. He would wear a tuxedo every day of the week if he could.
Best of all, he says he gets up happy every day.
Why?
Read entire article - and see a great video about Austin's life - here.
Posted in Disabilities, Down syndrome | Permalink
Comments
Great Article!
Posted by: ADC | March 18, 2008 9:07 PM
