'Happy Birthday to Simon'

After a year on Blipfoto I would like to share something with you. 47 years ago, P and I celebrated the birth of our blonde, blue eyed baby boy. When he was six months old we were posted with the Army to Cyprus..we had a lovely flat right on the sea front in Famagusta. Yet two years later we were given the devastating news that Simon had brain damage which would affect his speech and he would have a learning disability. For P and I in our early twenties..this was daunting and heartbreaking. However, here we are! Simon is the most happy, positive and decent human being, with great sensitivity and a wicked sense of humour. He lives as independent a life as he can in Lewes, just twenty five minutes drive away, has great support from his carers and comes home regularly.....despite everything, he has coped so well and I'm very proud of him. We see him every couple of weeks, his four nephews are wonderful with him and Simon's relationship with his sister Kelly has always been very close. There's so much I could write about our life with Simon....we decided from the very start, to live a normal life, wanted no sympathy...just understanding. He goes to College, clubs, loves our Theatre trips, shares my love of music(well he had early sixties and rocknroll from the start)...and is recently showing a very artistic eye for photography.. A special son who could teach many people a thing or two. Home tomorrow for a belated birthday celebration..I look forward to it!