This is a great story about my Aunt Cindy Murnane. She is 49 years old and my entire life has been surrounded by a special kind of love that only one with Down syndrome or a family member would know. She can rock out an amazing Frank Sinatra number - microphone, top-hat and meticulously memorize each and every word to New York, New York. She knows each and every birthday of her 28 nieces, nephews and her brothers and sister as well. She was very involved in Special Olympics most of her life, extra activities, has held three great jobs and was always a favorite with the customers. My Aunt Cindy gave me courage at a very young age to speak up for the silent voices. The slang term “retarded” will make any one of her nieces and nephews cringe and give super powers to take on the word one ignorant person at a time to educate them that it will not one day be tolerated in society. Cindy has been through a lot over the years, she’s lost both parents and moved from Illinois to Florida and back to Illinois and adjusted and adapted only to be found on top. Aunt Cindy has dreamt of one day driving, getting married and having children but knows that her life now is filled with so much love and that her special gift is to share with others. Cindy’s gift is to remind others to slow down, that’s her story. Life goes quickly and never one day in her 49 years of life has she ever quit or stopped because those dreams are still dreams, never once has she passed judgment on those that made fun of her and brought her to tears. I don’t have one specific story of Aunt Cindy, you see she’s so special and has done so much for so many others and has only asked to continue to be loved. Nothing more. So the next time you see someone with Down syndrome, say hello, give a high five, appreciate and try and absorb the special gift they have. Don’t shun them, don’t make excuses and keep advocating for all the Aunt Cindy’s in the world. Aunt Cindy’s story is one of compassion and love and pure-hearted truth to society and to those who surround her, don’t miss out.