Ethan Milledge Spivey

When Ethan was born with Down Syndrome forty-four years ago, we were initially

devastated. At that time, our daughter Pilar was seven years old, and our son Seth was five. As we cared for Ethan through the years, we received many blessings.

Our two older children's lives have been enriched in many ways. Our son Seth was determined that Ethan was going to be able to do everything he could do. I never knew what I would see when I looked out the window-Seth pushing Ethan in the swing as high as it would go-Ethan ten feet off the ground in the tree house-Ethan riding the go-cart. It was scary, but those were good experiences for Seth and for Ethan.

Our daughter Pilar shared a room with Ethan till he was five years old. She thought it

was great-her own live doll. Today she is a school psychologist with a special interest in

children with disabilities.

What's it like being the parent of a special child?

It's being able to give him the exquisite joy of going to McDonald's for French fries.

It's receiving the hugs he so freely gives.

It's Ethan coming to listen whenever his father starts singing.

It's watching Ethan as the little drummer boy in the school Christmas program keeping

perfect time with the music.

It's Seth's friend Christopher saying, "I wish I had a little brother like Ethan."

As I look back, I realize what a small, narrow person I was before Ethan expanded me.