“The Value of a Single Human Life”
Emma
Barre, VT
My Uncle Eric is a man in his 50’s with down syndrome. He has the maturity level of a 3-5 year old, and he is more happy, kind, and content than most other adults that I know. We have laughed together, played together, listened to records together, but we have never cried together. He is the funniest, happiest person I know, and everyone who meets him can’t help but be happy to talk to him (even if he only says a couple words).
I am the youngest of his nieces and nephews, so growing up I was the last to be at his maturity level. We have always had a special bond and even as I have gotten older I still try to play with him. He loves making funny faces, like scrunching up his nose and sticking his tongue out, and everytime I see him I try to make at least one funny face at him. The result of the silly face is his contagious giggle and a copy of the face that I made. He has many routines that he has followed for as long as I can remember. Listening to his records, drinking hot chocolate, watching a movie, and lining up his matchbox cars are just a few of the things he does everyday. Uncle Eric’s favorite things in the world are cars, coke, and candy bars. Every birthday and Christmas he gets at least one if not multiple of each, and always chocolate cake for his birthday. There is so much to say about all of him and all the things he loves, but most of all I’d like to say how grateful I am that he is in my life.
Because of Uncle Eric I’m now able to understand people with special needs better than many. I am able to be more aware that certain people are different, while some others would see them as weird or rude. When I told some of my friends about Uncle Eric, I had to explain the difference between autism and down syndrome. Of course there is nothing wrong with that, but I am grateful that I have been blessed with that kind of familiarity with special needs. Society teaches that people like my Uncle have a “bad quality” of life. That’s only true if the people around them make it true, like with any child. If you allow them to have their routines, favorite food, and little hobbies they will be more content with their life than most others.
Thanks to Uncle Eric being such a big part of my life, I am who I am today. I try to remind myself to have as much peace with my life and myself as he does. He has brought an unimaginable amount of joy into my life that no other person could, and I hope that I have done at least half as much for him as he has done for me.
