Down Write Brilliant

We are Mrs and Mr Vaccarino

By Vinnie Vaccarino

On January 12th at St Luke’s Church in Havelock North in Hawkes Bay everything looked amazing and was ready to have perfect wedding for me and Rachel. I had a best man Gareth Smith and a groomsman Benji Oemcke. Rachel had three bridesmaids, our sisters Siobhan Vaccarino, Abbie Oemcke and a friend Robin Neilson. We also had three flower girls. I was nervous standing at the altar waiting for Rachel. When I saw a perfect bride walk in with her father it was so awesome and I just started crying with tears. I said to Rachel that she was so beautiful, my princess. We had two people, Pastor Sue Lacey and my Dad marry me and Rachel. My dad did the vows and rings and said you are husband and wife. I kissed Rachel before Dad said you can kiss the bride. My Dad said “Ok, now you can kiss the bride!” everyone laughed when I gave Rachel another kiss. Our friend played the guitar and sang “Can you feel the love tonight” but he changed some of the words just for me and Rachel. Then we played Dancing Queen and danced out the church and all the people took lots of photos of us. We then left in the old fancy white car and then this guy gave us a ride to Birdswood Gallery for chitchat with people and afternoon tea. We had more photos and then me and Rachel had a first dance. Then the talented photographers Toni Larson and Jo took family photos. I did a speech then more photos and then we cut the cake. We then needed to go and everyone made two long rows and we walked between them and said bye. Then we drove to a huge mountain and we walked up a path for photographs. We were tired and hungry so we had a picnic in the car before we went back to Birdswood for dancing, hanging out, speeches, dinner and more dancing. At the end of the evening we went to Porters Boutique Hotel for our honeymoon. I planned our honeymoon with lots of special things. We had two nights at the hotel in Havelock North hotel and then two days in Napier. We did not do what I had planned because my wife got very sick. I was very, very, very sad and I phoned for help. She got better but was sick all the time while we were away and I helped to look after Rachel. We then went back home to Palmerston North and my parents surprised us and booked a hotel for us to stay at for a couple of days. We loved that. On January 19th we had another celebration in Palmerston North which was lots of fun. I enjoyed getting ready for the blessing and Rachel looked very beautiful. We had the wedding blessing at an old small church near our house and I loved how my sister and her friend Rebekah decorated the church. We walked down the aisle together and a friend shared a message and served us communion. We had lots of photographs and then went to my parents’ house for a party. We had speeches, our first dance, lots of dancing and dessert. Our friends from our dance group did two special things for me and Rachel: a special song and dance to Uptown Girl and a Haka. It was incredible. We had a great party, it was very late when we left and went to a hotel. I think it is very awesome for a young man with Down syndrome to get married to a perfect bride. I am so happy.

Carlos the globetrotter

Interviewed by Katrina Sneath

Can you please tell me about your background? Well, my background is that I was from Germany but somehow ended up in Bolivia. I am proud of everything in my life and the marvellous things that I have received. Well, in Bolivia I was in a co-ed school. The most wonderful place in past times was in Sydney.

What is it like to have a disability (as some people ask?) Having Down syndrome it is not a disability. Disability it’s not to try.

What qualifications do you have? I am a professional photographer, awarded from university and the polytechnic, I can speak five languages which are Spanish, English, German, Portuguese and French. I am also an international swimmer in Special Olympics. Should people with disabilities be treated differently? People with Down syndrome should be treated equally, like all human beings.

If someone bullied you, who would you reach to for support? I would reach to parents/caregiver, police and my lawyer. Once you have talked to someone, what support would be given or what would you do? If bullies are treating me badly I would tell them to back off and talk with my parents or to the police, and the support of my parents or the police would count. The support from my parents would be calling the police or talk to the parents of bullies. By making an agreement or if that doesn’t work maybe they can separate us for good.

What do you love to do with family and friends? Well, going to the movies, just having them around, travelling around with them and taking selfies, enjoying Karaoke, experiencing the nature by being surrounded by wild animals, camping and bush walking to take photos of waterfalls.

When you travel, can you please tell me what you like about the culture? Well, the music, the artisans, the architecture, the panoramic views, cultured foods, Mexican dance and music.

What advice would you tell people with disabilities about advocacy? People with disabilities will appreciate everything in life and it doesn’t matter what they do as long as they can put in perseverance and dedication.

Hannah Proctor working hard at Footsteps Christian Pre-School

My job

By Hannah Proctor

About three years ago, when I was still at school, I was given an opportunity to try work experience in a preschool, Footsteps Christan Pre-School, in Christchurch.

My teacher aide came with me to help me twice a week until I was good enough to do my jobs on my own. Then I was able to leave school and go to work there by myself.

I have a uniform and a special name badge. I drive with my Mum to her work, and then I walk the rest of the way by myself to get to the pre-school.

My jobs are getting the morning tea plates and drinks ready for the children and doing the dishes afterwards. I also get things ready for the children for lunch time as well.

I enjoy playing with the children too, and I love working with the teachers.

Last year they asked me to work another day, so now I work three mornings a week. They pay me now too. I feel happy to have a paid job. I like spending my money.

The teachers say they love having me working there. They’re very kind and they give me lots of hugs.