Special meeting between Down syndrome achievers Stephen Green and Micky Neal

by Alexa Copeland from The Northern Echo:
THE country’s first parish councillor with Down’s syndrome made a four-hour round trip to meet a North East man thought to be one of the oldest with the condition.
Stephen Green, 48, was elected as a councillor on Nuthall Parish Council in Nottingham in 2012, making him the first and only serving British councillor with Down’s syndrome.
When Stephen’s father Grenville read a Northern Echo article online about the 70th birthday of Down’s syndrome man Micky Neal from Darlington, he set about arranging a meeting between the pair.
Mr Green said: “When I read about Micky, I just thought ‘I have to meet this family’.
“It is just amazing that Micky is the same age as myself, and at that time things were so much more difficult for people with Down’s syndrome.
“They were expected to be put into institutions and it is amazing that this lovely family worked together to give Micky such a happy and loving life.”
Mr Green said that although attitudes have changed, his son has experienced some negativity from councillors who do not think he is up to the job.
He said that Stephen makes his feelings clear by giving a ‘thumbs down’ to those councillors who say things at meetings that he does not agree with.
Mr Green added: “In his role as parish councillor Stephen is breaking down barriers.
“When he goes into schools to award prizes you can see the difference in the children after they have met him.

One of the UK's oldest men with Down syndrome celebrates 70th birthday

by Joanna Morris from The Northern Echo:
One of the UK’s oldest men with Down syndrome is today (Monday December 23) celebrating his 70th birthday.
Micky Neal will be surrounded with family and friends as he enjoys a tea party at his supported accommodation in Darlington.
The birthday is a significant milestone for Mr Neal and his family, who never expected to see him outlive his devoted parents, Ruth and Tom.
The eldest of five children, he was brought up in a time when Down syndrome sufferers were usually institutionalised and expected to die at a young age.
His mother Ruth refused to put him into a home and he was brought up alongside his siblings in a supportive and loving family – something his brothers and sisters feel has contributed to his long and happy life.
His brother Chris Neal and sisters Rosetta Forster, Fiona Neal and Debbie Allinson said he has brought them “nothing but joy” over the years.
Mrs Allinson said: “People with Down syndrome are no different to anybody else, they are loving people who have feelings and the same needs as anybody else.”
Despite the onset of dementia and his advancing age, Mr Neal is still a lively character who is known for his practical jokes.
Mrs Forster said: “He is always playing tricks. At the home he’s in, he’s left banana skins outside the office doors.
“He has a great sense of humour, he loves Ant and Dec and Carry On films.”