People with Down syndrome typically have a slightly shorter life span, but that’s not always the case. One man with Down syndrome just celebrated his 79th birthday and he’s going strong. Kenny Cridge was born in 1939 with his twin sister, Dorothy. Back then, Kenny’s condition wasn’t understood by doctors, so he had a tough uphill battle from the beginning. Doctors just focused all of their care on his sister, even after Kenny showed signs of vitality and strength. They didn’t expect him to live past the age of 12, but in fact, Kenny ended up living not only far past the age of 12 but even outlived his twin sister.
During those early days, Down syndrome was misunderstood. In 2008, Kenny was entered into the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest living man who has Down syndrome. According to the Down Syndrome Association, people with Down syndrome typically live between 50-60 years, although outliers certainly exist and others have reportedly lived into their 70s. Kenny has become hugely popular at the Wisteria House care home in Tintinhull, Yepovil, Somerset. He provides everyone not only with fun and smiles, but he also receives the most loving care that anyone could dream of in their old age.
SWNS
When Kenny was born, the doctors actually believe he was stillborn, and it’s for this reason that the doctors focused on Dorothy, Kenny’s sister. Then Kenny began to cry. In 1939, the Global Down Syndrome Foundation listed 12 years old as the average life expectancy for people with Down syndrome. These days, people with Down syndrome are treated much more respectfully than they were in decades past, but it took a long time to get to this point. Kenny’s niece, Marie Shotton, said that her grandmother told her that back in the old days, people with Down syndrome weren’t treated well.
Asia One
Shotton says that Kenny was shown a lot of love in his childhood and her grandfather frequently took Kenny for sidecar rides on his bike. Kenny’s mother was prepared to fight for her son’s rights, Shotton says. She adds that her grandmother found a lot of battles for Kenny and devoted her life to her son. Anything he needed or wanted, the family provided. Kenny lived with his mother until she died at the age of 90, then he moved to the care home that he loves. The staff at the home describe him as a “true gent” and an “absolute darling.” Happy birthday, Kenny!