Life
Man with Down syndrome defies odds to celebrate 77th birthday
People all over the world are celebrating Georgie.
Catherine Marucci
09.30.19

People living with disabilities are some of the most resilient bunch around. Not letting their circumstances bring them down, they constantly defy expectations by living their lives in ways otherwise thought impossible by many.

One such individual is Georgie Wildgust, a British man born with the genetic disorder, Down syndrome. This is his inspiring story.


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SWNS TV via YouTube
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SWNS TV via YouTube

The secret behind a long life

After being born in 1942 and diagnosed with the disability, Georgie’s mother was actually informed that the boy wouldn’t live to see his 10th birthday. The doctor couldn’t have been more wrong.

Against all odds, Georgie recently celebrated his 77th birthday with the people he loves. Not only did he just have a fantastic birthday, but the Nottingham, England resident also holds the record for the oldest living British person who is diagnosed with the genetic disorder.

As for the secret behind Georgie’s longevity, his 44-year-old niece, Nikki Wright, attributes it to his childhood. The resilient man was raised being told that he could do anything despite his disability.


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SWNS TV via YouTube
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SWNS TV via YouTube

She also noted how a lot of children diagnosed with Down syndrome were often sent away by their families to live in special institutions However, Georgie was given the chance to live a normal childhood playing with neighborhood kids in his local community. In fact, he was reportedly never picked on by other children growing up.


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SWNS TV via YouTube
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SWNS TV via YouTube

Living the good life

This semblance of normalcy continued on into his adult life. Although he now lives in a group home, the retired gardener is still able to live life to the fullest, dancing, doing art, and enjoying retirement along with twelve co-residents.

In fact, Georgie even managed to snag a girlfriend, Lorraine, who was a resident at the home as well when he met her. They are currently long-distance since the woman has moved out of the home. However, Nikki says that the two still remain in touch through Skype and when Lorraine comes by to visit.

Georgie also grew up with two siblings: a younger brother named Colin and an older sister, Jean Yessyan, who now lives in Australia. Unfortunately, Georgie’s brother passed away three years ago at seventy-one years old.

Before entering the group home in 1993, Georgie was able to keep a couple of jobs from gardening to rug-making. So, it seems like he’s genuinely enjoying his carefree retirement days just like anyone else after a long life of employment.


Georgie
SWNS TV via YouTube
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SWNS TV via YouTube

Life expectancy & Down syndrome

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder in which a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. It’s still unknown why the condition occurs, but experts have observed that the disorder happens more often in children of older mothers.

Decades ago, the average life expectancy of a person with Down syndrome was just twenty-two years. However, it has since increased exponentially through the years. The number is already well on its way to approaching the 60-year benchmark, according to the National Down Syndrome Society.

Amazingly, Georgie’s fantastic journey to seventy-seven years old is still exceptional even by today’s standards.

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SWNS TV via YouTube
Source:
SWNS TV via YouTube

Aside from poor care, people with Down syndrome might have suffered from short lifespans because of their being prone to heart defects, hearing problems, and even Alzheimer’s. Luckily, a lot of these are now manageable with modern medicine, allowing for long and healthy lives.

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