My Little Girl, My Hero

This is a pencil drawing of my daughter at 5 years of age. She has Down's Syndrome, and you cannot believe how proud we are of her!

Born 12 weeks prematurely at a weight of only 1lb 8oz and a long list of medical problems - heart defects, blocked duodenum, bleeds on the brain and chronic lung disease to name just a few. From what seemed such an unfair start to life, she has triumphed above all her various 'difficulties'. Medical staff have been so very kind, and their advice and efforts 'life-changing'!

From slow beginnings - she now attends mainstream school and has lots of very kind friends and teachers who are superb examples of human beings. She runs, jumps, skips and climbs and rides her bikes and scooter with great skill. She helps in the kitchen, can escape through any door, loves chasing chickens and digging for worms and will stand on a stage to recite a prayer without fear or embarrassment. She knows how to make people laugh and smile and she exploits that skill to the full. In short, she is a born entertainer, without malice or sarcasm.

She is incredibly inquisitive and has her own PC, and knows how to operate it independently, to access a whole range of software including her favourite programmes on the net. She has a vast imagination when it comes to play acting and drama and now at 7 years of age, has an enormous vocabulary with which to express herself. She has a great love of books and reads well for her age, with expression. She loves music in all its forms, so long as it doesn't bang! She can make the most serious situation bright and stop someone in their tracks with a phrase. When I'm being too 'arty' she knows how to keep me 'real'. There is no-one I'd rather be with when I'm down, and no-one I'd rather be with when life is good – because she knows how to make it better!

Although obviously biased as a parent, I have not met anyone in my life, with as much zest for living. From the moment she wakes, to when she cheekily wishes me, “Goodnight Daddy Pig”! at bedtime. There is no one I know who innocently gives and takes from existence as much as her. If ever there was an example of how life strives against adversity, my daughter encapsulates it. Nothing suppresses her exuberance for life.

Dedicated to my hero, my inspiration, my life.......my little girl.

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^{My Thricelight Deviant art gallery is copyright ©2008-2009
Thricelight. Stephen Paul Forshaw. All rights reserved.
This image may not be reproduced, copied, edited, published, transmitted, downloaded or uploaded in any way without my written consent.}