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Stories of Wil: Star Sisters

Wil with his family (including his mom, dad, and Star Sisters!) at the Red Wings game

submitted by Christie Taylor

Wil is a 13-year-old boy with Down syndrome. He is the little brother, by 20 months, to twin sisters, Katherine and Elizabeth. Wil mom, Christie, knew very little about Down syndrome when Wil was diagnosed shortly after his birth. It didn’t take long for Christie to realize how enriching life with Down syndrome is. Embracing this newfound life, Christie was compelled to share her experiences with Wil. Christie desire, in sharing these stories, is to promote an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the amazing capabilities of individuals with Down syndrome.

A few years ago at a Detroit Red Wings game, our family was seated in the upper deck. Just before the second period began, the names of our twin daughters flashed on the scoreboard:

GAMETIME WITH GLENDENING
KATHERINE & ELIZABETH TAYLOR

“Katherine and Elizabeth! Look!” I said as I pointed.

“Isn’t that supposed to say Wil?” Elizabeth asked me.

“Yes, but you girls deserve to have your name in lights, too.” (Each Red Wings player chooses a cause to participate in. Luke Glendening chose Down syndrome awareness. Our Down Syndrome Support Team received tickets for families to go to a game and be part of Gametime with Glendening. The participating child name with Down syndrome would be displayed on the scoreboard, each family member was given a meal ticket and an autographed photo.)

Elizabeth was right; Wil name was supposed to be on the scoreboard. Whatever the mix up was, I was happy for it. Katherine and Elizabeth should see their name in lights too.��It not always easy being a sibling of a child with special needs.

When Wil was first born, we made multiple trips to various doctors. Katherine and Elizabeth, 22 months older than Wil, went along for the ride. Then, there were Wil therapies. Katherine and Elizabeth were there for those too. They also enjoyed helping Wil with his therapists’ recommended exercises.

As Wil grew older, and his communication skills were still developing, he wasn’t always able to express his emotions. If Wil felt an experience was overwhelming, as he didn’t have the words, he used his actions. He would either flee the scene or sit down on the spot, refusing to move. Katherine and Elizabeth are there for all those times too.

On a trip to the post office, for reasons only known to Wil, he decided in the middle of the post office parking lot that he was not going in. He sat down right on the spot. Of course, that is not a safe place to be. Elizabeth remained calm, bent down, and talked him back up. Soon the two were holding hands and walking together into the post office. As we waited in line, Wil tried to escape. Katherine starting made up silly jokes to keep his attention. We were all laughing, even the woman in line in front of us. She ended up asking if we wanted to go ahead of her in line. We thankfully accepted. After we completed our transaction, Katherine and Elizabeth joked with Wil all the way back to the car.

“I guess I know one way to get ahead in line now.” Elizabeth said. We all started laughing.

The names in lights at the Detroit Red Wings game were just as they should be.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.