Now I am retired I tend to reminisce a lot and I am lucky enough to have lots of cherished memories. Some years ago now my wife and I were taking a holiday in Austria and while there one breakfast time we were seated at our table and noticed two people, a man and a woman who were accompanying a young girl and lad who seemed to have downs syndrome, they were talking and laughing with each other and gave a friendly smile in our direction. After breakfast the lad came over to us and started asking lots of questions about the hotel and the district we were staying in. Then the young girl also came over and joined in while the man and woman were still talking together over coffee. Both the lad and the girl were buoyant, animated, very friendly and amusing and told us they were from the England where they lived at a special centre and were on holiday chaperoned by two social workers. My wife and I intending to take a walk began to edge out of the dining room to be followed by both the lad and the girl, and I wondered if they were going to be bothersome. The two social workers soon noticed and also came over to introduced themselves explaining politely who they were and ushered the two away. Neither my wife nor I had any experience of ever having known or met anyone with downs syndrome before and knew little about it or how it affects those who have it.

It was a beautiful sunny day and our walk was brisk. The fresh mountain air was invigorating and when we reached the small village we decided to stop for a hot drink at a small shop café, and there we encountered the four again, we sat at the next table and as we chatted we became more informed, which was very interesting. The lad and girl were very excited about their holiday and also told us how they were looking forward to Christmas which was only a couple of months away. The social workers then explained they were having a theatrical display at which the lad and girl were taking part along with the other residents at the centre, it was a pleasant meeting and my wife and I talked about it afterwards, we began to wonder if we could volunteer any help during the Christmas period as the centre they mentioned was not too far away from where we lived. We all met several times during our holiday and spent some happy times in company together. One day it occurred to me to ask one of the social workers if they would be having a filmed record of the show the residents were putting on, in those days video cameras were practically unknown, but I had filmed several concerts at our local school. On inquiring if they would consent to this the young lad and girl were both mightily pleased with the idea, and the social workers were happy to consider it asking us to contact them on our return home. Our holiday had been wonderful and everyone was very satisfied and no one was happy to be returning home after having had such a great time. We found much pleasure sharing our time with these two young people with downs syndrome who were always keen to learn, they were thoughtful, polite, and enjoyed themselves dancing, and playing games, if there was any problem the social workers took care of it, and joined in the fun too.

When we returned home it was raining and we settled down to our general routine and hoped it wouldn’t be snowing before Christmas and make the roads bad for travelling, for we hadn’t said a proper good bye to our friends as we hoped to see them again in December a few weeks away. I phoned the centre and arrangements were soon made for us to visit and film the show, we were certainly looking forward to it. The time passed quickly and my wife and I were wondering what kind of reception we would get at the centre, it was great, a huge welcome with tea, biscuits and cakes, and after a chat with the social workers and staff who were very busy seeing that everything ran smoothly, a lot of the residents, some in costume ready for their performance came over too and greeted us warmly, including the young lad and girl who were full of exuberance and could hardly wait for the show to begin, soon they were off to prepare, and I set up the camera while my wife took her seat. Then it was lights, camera and action. I cannot remember the acts in sequence as it is a long time ago, but I do remember the charm and excellence of every performer, not one forgetting their words in either the comedy scenes, or monologues, and the gracefulness of the dancers has to be seen to be believed, a very remarkable show with much talent, it was very easy to forget that they had downs syndrome. The young lad and girl deserved much more than a bouquet, and it must also be remembered that many with downs syndrome also suffer several complications regarding their health, their smiles light a light in the darkness, their warmth banishes the cold, if their behaviour irritates at times it is no more than ours does and we have no excuse. Thanks to those who take care of them when it is needed they give back much in return, so when they smile at you smile back like I did, it’s a pleasure.