In the early hours of the morning, just after my own birthday had passed, my younger brother quietly left this world. This is a tribute to his life, his gentle presence, and the path we walked together.
He lived for 60 years.
In early September, he became critically ill after his aspiration pneumonia worsened. Although he rallied for a time, he eventually grew too weak to recover.
Back in September he still had enough strength to return from the brink, but when he became critical again yesterday and I rushed to his side, the spark of life had already faded.
It was our 87-year-old mother who stayed with him at the end.
My brother had Down syndrome.
Down syndrome occurs when a person is born with an extra copy of chromosome 21.
Humans normally have 46 chromosomes—23 pairs of autosomes and two sex chromosomes—but in Down syndrome, there are three copies of chromosome 21, making 47 in total (46,XX+21 or 46,XY+21).
People with Down syndrome have diverse traits and personalities. Some are prone to heart or hematologic conditions, while others, like my brother, go through life without major illness.
With appropriate support, many lead fulfilling lives, and in recent years some have gained recognition as artists or actors.
They are often cheerful by nature and, with their warm and endearing expressions, are loved by many.
My brother, too, was cherished by countless people.
When he was critically ill in September, I spent a great deal of time at his bedside, recalling our shared memories.
Although we spent much of our lives together, he also had a world of his own.
From junior high school onward, he commuted independently, traveling by train to his special-needs school.
After graduating, he lived in vocational facilities and group homes, and he worked hard in his Boy Scout activities.
I cannot fathom the effort my parents put into finding places where he could feel comfortable and accepted, but for them, it was simply what they believed they should do for their son.
Communication with him was never easy, and I could never be sure what he truly felt in his heart.
Yet even when words are available, people sometimes fail to understand one another. Between us, perhaps words were never really necessary.
Farewell, my brother.
Wait for me in the world beyond.
