Dearest friends,

Our little big brother Lucas is so many things but above all he is the best brother anyone could ever have and we love him more than words can say, even when he throws our neatly folded clothes down the stairs with a big roar pretending they are parachutes...! yes and he is the only boy amongst us...thank goodness he is there as the anchor of a boat with arguably too much female wind in the sails!! He brings us down to earth when we fly too high and aimlessly, he makes us see things for what they truely are and sometimes we pull him in a bit too when he is gliding off on a journey of adventurous discoveries that promise to be a bit too exciting...He is a very good singer and loves singing to a crowd, preferably a large one he doesn't know! We learn so much from him constantly, for example how to allow yourself to be who you really are deep inside all the time. He is also very funny! He makes us laugh so often with him through the little things he does here and there; at the situations that sometimes otherwise would have passed us by if he had not pointed them out and he laughs very loudly at his own jokes too! He is a pickle like that or perhaps a better description still is a magical elf with his own troll language, a naughty knight(his swordfighting skills are unsurpassable, second to none!), a cuddly teddy- an arm around our shoulders and a kiss on our cheek is never as pure and full of such honest love and caring touch as when it comes from our Lucas. We feel so very lucky to be a part of his life.

 

It is hard work to be the brother of four girls!! The amount of nonsensical chatter that goes on almost the entire time is simply overwhelming more often than not! When it really tires me out I put my headphones on and drift away in the world of Nanny McPhee, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Barbie or Mozart...My favourites used to be Bob the Builder and Noddy but I have grown out of them now although I have to be patient at times and watch an episode once in a while for my little sisters' sakes... thank goodness for the iPad! Peace and quiet to enjoy my own space! My big sisters don't understand how I can watch some DVDs over and over again for months, even years but they haven't understood why I still only eat mashed up food either or why I bring my feet up to my armpits when daddy wants to put me down in the sand....The answer is: because I like a chilled-out life!!! Why chew when you can simply swallow? Why walk when you can get a lift? And why on earth change a story for a different one if you love living the one you are in?? Beats me! But do I love my sisters? Oh I ADORE them!!! My two big sisters are the most wonderful friends you could ever have. They look out for me when I need some extra help and are endlessly playing with me, a numberless amount of made-up, exciting games! They also act as my fellow football players, my dance partners, my trampolining champions and they do a very good job covering for me when I do things I shouldn't do...! My two little sisters are the sweetest little fairies you could imagine...on the surface! Beneath lies two strong lionesses who look up to me as their Lion King but who also constantly try to get away with their naughty mischief...But I can see through their sparkly intents and often we all simply end up in a pile on the floor giggling together! I am so blessed to have four such special and beautiful friends at my side!

There are an estimated 7 million people living with Down Syndrome across the world's continents today. Some live fully integrated in society. They go to a normal school, do the sports of their choice, play a musical instrument, go to parties with their friends, achieve at University, have a job, are married, travel and feel entirely fulfilled and happy in their lives amongst family and friends, collegues and a whole community who accept them exactly for the person they are. The mind, the soul, the heart beyond the Syndrome. 

For the majority this is still very far from the case. In some countries not even a dream. Down Syndrome International is doing tremendous work worldwide to change this and to make what for so many seems impossible, perfectly possible and real. But DSI is a charity amongst so many working for an excellent cause and can only survive with the help of changing minds and attitudes and, practically, through donations! Diana, Catarina, Lucas, Maja and Elsa are therefore running/walking/being dragged (!) 1,7 km through the Lidingö woods outside of Stockholm on the 30th of September 2012- the child version of a very well known and longstanding 30 km running challenge. The children will be joining the approximately 50 participants who are raising awareness for the Swedish Down Syndrome Association and their amazing work  and will be waving their flag as proudly as they will DSI's. The Swedish DSA is an active member of DSI and while the fruits of our personal fundraising initiative in this quest will go entirely to the international organisation, our largest aim is to simply give Down Syndrome a happier, more radiant face which in turn should profit all. Any donation, however small, you feel you are able to contribute to this most worthwile cause would be so gratefully received and boundlessly appreciated by millions and millions of people all over the Globe and needless to say, by all of us and especially five little runners!

With love from the Edwards family

 

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.