This little man had a big job today
Meet 17-month-old Keane Byrne who was ring bearer at his auntie Shirley’s wedding today.
Keane, who has Down Syndrome, was featured in the Evening Echo this afternoon. Today is World Down Syndrome Day.
Keane and mother Gillian live in Kilworth, Co Cork and Gillian was eager to send a message to other Down Syndrome mothers:
“I love Keane more than I could have ever imagined but of course it wasn’t always a fairytale. When I was told that my baby had Down Syndrome I was devastated. It took me a long time to accept it and I didn’t think I could cope," she told the Evening Echo.
“Days after Keane was born, I was still grieving the loss of the perfect healthy child I thought I would have. To this day the fact that I even had these feelings haunts me. For a while this deep sense of guilt ate away at me until I spoke to other parents who experienced the same feelings.
“People rarely talk about these things but it’s important that they do as it’s completely normal to feel this way.”
Brave Keane is currently recovering from surgery to fix a hole in his heart and Gillian is delighted with his progress.
He even met ‘Late, Late Show’ host Ryan Tubridy while he was convalescing in hospital.
“He came to visit Keane in hospital after his operation and was hugging him so hard I feared it might undo the repair work from the operation which we joked about on his radio show the next day,” said Gillian.
It's hard to imagine two prouder parents than Gillian and father Ron as their son headed down the aisle today.
By the way, isn’t he handsome in his suit?
* If you have been affected by this article you can contact Down Syndrome Ireland on 01-426-6500. You can donate to them here.
Hat tips: Sarah Horgan from the Evening Echo, Ruairi Roddy and Maann Photography.
