Guest Post By- Dennis Elton Stanley
My best friend Sheila and I work at the same health care facility. We both trust each other unconditionally, seek each other’s advice, respect, and depend on each other.
We both are Christians and like-minded on every issue. I have known her for about 20 years, and we have been best friends for many of those. So of course, I know her family as well. When I say “know” her family, I mean we talk about our families often because that is what friends do. I have met a few of her family members but had never met her brother JoeBill.
Sheila and I were going to Branson to see a Disney show production. I honestly don’t remember who suggested we invite JoeBill but he wanted to go and was invited.
I am always apprehensive about meeting family members of someone I care about. I feel like I’m on stage or being “sized up.” They (the brain doctors) say people form an opinion of you within a few seconds of meeting you for the first time. If you make a bad first impression it may take a very long time or even impossible to repair that first impression.
Like Others, I Have a Problem
The show was a week or two away, so I had plenty of time for my nerves to reach their full potential. (Yes, I know I have a problem) But the evening finally arrived along with Sheila, and JoeBill at my house.
Sheila introduced JoeBill to me and me to JoeBill, but JoeBill has a speech impediment, and I cannot understand what he is saying. Sheila, bless her heart interprets for me during the 45-minute drive to Branson.
You see, JoeBill Has Down Syndrome and I know that played a major role in my apprehension leading up to meeting him. I have noticed that most people seem to avoid others who they deem “different.” They just don’t know what to say or do, so they avoid them altogether. They are not bad people they just don’t want to say or do something wrong.
The Disney show was on “The Branson Belle” which is an old paddlewheel showboat. You enjoy a ride around beautiful Table Rock Lake while being served a great meal and the show. I have been many times.
The show and food are always amazing, a unique experience, and I highly recommend it if you get the chance to go. We had a wonderful time of course, but what I enjoyed most was watching JoeBill. His face was lit like a Christmas tree, and he was enjoying every second. All the Disney characters, costumes, songs, music, and dialogue he absorbed like a sponge. And I’m betting he still remembers every detail.
Wow! just think about it, we have so many things going on in our minds it’s nearly impossible for us to really enjoy anything to the fullest.
I read somewhere that we have 7 different thoughts going on at the same time in our head. There are many ways I have heard the following old saying quoted, but I have shortened it to: “wherever you are, BE there.”
JoeBill is always there “entirely there.” He soaks it in, he “gets it.” He keeps it.
You might hear JoeBill talking out loud quite a bit in his room. After an hour you might wonder, “who in the world is he talking to for so long?”
If you go closer and listen at his door, you’ll find out he is talking to God. He talks to God about anything and everything. He talks to Him just as you would if you were talking to your dad or a friend. And after all, he IS talking to his Father and absolutely the best friend he has. Below is a photo of JoeBill’s Bible.
Whatever your faith, this is the way a book should look that teaches and guides you through that faith.
JoeBill also likes coloring books and there have been many famous people who liked to color. Heavyweight boxing champ George Foreman comes to mind. He always colored before a fight. He said it calmed him down. I think we could all use something to calm us down. I plan to give that a try.
JoeBill absolutely loves WWE wrestling, and it is no surprise that his favorite wrestler is the 16-time world champion, “John Cena.”
We have requested and are hoping John will consent to meet JoeBill someday soon. I would give any of my possessions to see JoeBills face at that meeting. As a side note, I would not challenge JoeBill to a wrestling match because he knows all the tricks, moves, and holds. (He remembers everything) He would probably make me end up looking like a pretzel.
JoeBill has his own room, TV, DVD player, small fridge, and other items that allow him to remain largely independent. Having Down Syndrome certainly does not keep him “down”.
He has hundreds of varying DVDs and has every western ever made. What is more, he pretty much knows them all by heart. I call this his “superpower.” And isn’t that the case with many, or all special needs people? I’m certainly no expert but I know several of these wonderful people and most excel at something.
I used to feel sorry for special needs families and wondered why and how such a tragedy could happen. I felt me and my family were the “lucky ones.”
In my own ignorance, I just could not understand why parents of a special needs person felt blessed beyond measure to have them in their life. Only after spending a little time with JoeBill did I finally understand. He is truly a gift to this earth and anyone who has the pleasure to know him.
JoeBill loves every person and every creature unconditionally as you can tell by the photo of him and his cat who he appropriately named “Tom.” When it is all said and done, he is simply living and following exactly what that rugged, old, tattered book has taught him.
I wish I could say the same for myself.
About Guest Author– Hi! I’m Dennis Elton Stanley- a 69-year-old widower. I Love to walk in long-distance events and I live in the Ozark Mountains, so I hike a lot. I play multiple musical instruments and love writing.
More From Dennis –
Want to publish your own post or story?
Visit all other Guest Posts here
Wants to say something like “Hello”? Mail us at Namaskar@theblogera.com
I'm not an expert astrophotographer, nor do I claim to be. I'm just a regular…
Have you ever wondered why it seems like journalists or news anchors today aren't asking…
I'm so excited to share this incredible interview that Colleen did with my co-author Deepak…
Have you ever heard someone say, "Kids these days are so soft?" It's a phrase…
Have you ever heard of a single cabbage feeding 275 people? No? Well, let me…
When I was in school, we were always taught that planning is essential for every…
View Comments
Los sueños
contar
los hambrientos
los desesperados
el éxito infalible
per capitalistas
los criminalos
los asesinos
las mujeres
las personas
los santos
los poderoso
sobre todo los niños
para el dia
otra historia
I translated this but am still usure what you mean? Thanks for reading.
dreams tells
especially
the dreams of children
the contrary
of what grown-ups
than the truth
mark history
Oh, I love this so much! It sounds like he has many superpowers! And we could all use a lesson in being more present in the moment. I’m glad there are people like Joe Bill around to teach us that.
Thanks for reading and commenting Beth!!
I forgot to mention how I myself have an awful habit of always living in the past or the future. This makes it impossible to enjoy myself because I'm never in either one, so to speak.
What a wonderful blog! Sounds like we could all learn a lot from JoeBill ❤️ I really enjoyed reading this!
Thank you, Angela!! I sure learned a lot from him!
JoeBills look so happy and content and I feel blessed to read that is always in the present!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. He is such an innocent and loving person.
Beautiful story of a life well-lived that we can all learn from! Thank you, Dennis!
Thank you very much and I am truly blessed to know JoeBill.
Wonderful post! Makes one wonder if perhaps us 'normal' folks are the ones with 'special needs'.
You know, I thought the same thing, Fred!! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Beside this being a beautifully written sorry, I absolutely Love JoeBill’s name!!
It means a lot to me that you read and took time to make such a sweet comment! It is a cool name and JoeBill is pretty cool too!!
A great life-affirming post. Thank you for sharing it.
One of my best friends was accidently sprayed by a chemical crop dusting helicopter and sadly has now gone to be with the LORD. She thanked God she lived a relative long life 69. She died with a brain tumour.
Her '? slightly deficient daughter, carried in her womb at the time of the accident was an inspiration to us all .She had learning difficulties but a great memory. She was told about JESUS and His great love for her. She learnt all the songs and knew her bible but most of all she KNEW A PERSONAL relationship and this defined her whole life. .He's my best friend'. she told all who would listen. She never learnt to read or write.
Thanks so much, Faye for taking time to read and comment and for your inspirational testimony. God bless you.
What a beautiful share from Dennis Ritish! Thank you for sharing this beautiful story. JoeBill is an incredible being with so much to offer and give. I adore the picture of him and his cat! We can all learn how to love more, trust more and have more faith!
❤️🙏🥰🙌
JoeBill is a wonder of a young man in many ways. I call him a young man even though he is 55 years old now. It is estimated (and by his actions) that he has entered his teen years. He loves that cat! Thanks, Cindy, for your thoughtful comments!
This has been my experience with those of special needs also. I've done artist in residencies with this demographic, and never failed to be uplifted by their good cheer and genuine care. Yes, we "normals" should be more like them in those ways.
Thanks so much for commenting, Ana. They have an innocence that I just don't have.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
That's what it is "beautiful"