Eddie is a young man with Down Syndrome. I see Eddie every Wednesday night at swimming training for a Special Olympics swimming squad in Melbourne’s north eastern suburbs.
Me “How are you Eddie?”
E “Yep. Good”
Me “What did you do today?”
E “Nothing”
Me “Nothing? All day?”
E “Yep. Had a day off”
Me “I see. Did you watch a movie or something?”
E “Yep”
Me “Did you have a sleep in”
E “Yep”
Me “Did you have a beer this arvo?”
E “Yep”
Me “So you did do stuff then!”
Eddie laughs. “Yep”
A few moments silence.
Me “So Eddie are the Hawks going to win the flag this year?”
E “Yep”
Me “You sure? Four in a row?”
E “Yep. No problem”
A few more moments of silence.
E “But I’m going to barrack for Geelong this year anyway.”
Me “What?”
E “Yep. I’m going to help Chris (Eddie nods to his good mate Chris who also has Down Syndrome who is standing nearby). The Cats haven’t won a flag for a few years so I’m going to barrack for Geelong and help Chris.”
Chris “Yep. Eddie will barrack for Geelong this year” says Chris as he takes his swimming stuff out of a Geelong Cats carry bag.
E “Yep”
Me “Well Eddie you’ll have to get rid of that Hawks bag you’ve got. And the Hawks towel. And the Hawks cap!”
E “What? No I won’t.”
Me “What will you do when the Hawks play the Cats?”
I reckon I have Eddie really stumped this time.
E “Easy. I’ll barrack for both of them. I can’t lose!”
Chris giggles. I laugh. Eddie beams.
The wisdom of Solomon. The world needs more Eddies.
About Damian O'Donnell
I'm passionate about breathing. And you should always chase your passions. If I read one more thing about what defines leadership I think I'll go crazy. Go Cats.
Hi Dips, lovely stuff. Can that Eddie be “THE” Eddie we talk about in future. Great philosopher and thinker, and such a good friend to boot.
Wow, the website just took out half of my vowels?!
Great story Dips.
The i’s have it Yvette.
Oh crap – now can only use words not containing an eye.
He can barrack for North if he wants, Dips.
Yeah, we at North need all the supporters we can get. Eddie is most welcome.