Daniel Smith Memorial Booklet

Celebrating the life of

Daniel Smith 10 September 1993 - 27 April 2012

Daniel Smith The swinging tape box, the kind face, the big cheeky grin and an incredible inner strength...

Few if any words can paint a true picture of Daniel's wonderful life, so the pictures in this book help to show that in the short 18 years he spent with us, he had a rich and beautiful life ďŹ lled with love, enjoyment and above all happiness.

Daniel was a unique and special person who touched the lives of so many others. Despite all of his many physical problems, he would always amaze people with his cheerfulness, caring nature and cheeky sense of humour. He had a big personality that made a huge impact on everyone who met him.

For those of us who were fortunate enough to know him well, he stole our hearts and put a smile on our face every time we saw him.

Daniel was born on the 10th September 1993 at Dryburn Hospital in Durham City.

He was born prematurely with a heart defect and Digeorge Syndrome. He was a real ďŹ ghter from the start and even throughout numerous medical procedures always managed to keep his beaming smile and happy disposition.

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Besides spending time with the family and friends he loved, Daniel also enjoyed going to Percy Hedley School to see his friends and teachers. He loved listening to music on his HiFi and ipod and liked to sing along when he thought people weren't watching.

Daniel gave Lisa and his family a huge amount of joy, We know he loved us, and he knew we loved him. We made him happy, and he made us happy. Not everyone gets such a good deal out of life, we were very lucky.

We will miss his smile, the mischievous twinkle in his eye and his great personality. We’ll miss him greatly but we have no doubt that he left us knowing how much he was appreciated, cherished, and greatly loved... by everyone who knew him.

oing I was g d i a s you Thought r ranger! we as a po 3

Party on!

Did someone put p? rum in my sippy cu

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Daniel’s Favourite Things

Daniels Favourite things included: Cassette Boxes - Hifi - ipod - Headphones Mrs Bucket DVD’s - Organ/Keyboard School - Lying on the floor with Neisha Swimming at the Alan Shearer Centre Mc Donalds - Shopping Posters/stickers for his bedroom wall and buying CD's.

Swimming at the Alan She arer Centre

When he was little he liked Teddy Ruxpin - Barney - Blues Clues and Lazy Town but strongly denied liking Fifi and the Flowertots. He also collected every video of Sooty ever made.

My bedroom was Fab!

My mam took me to see the Paul O’Grad y Show I saw Buster to o!

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10 Daniel’s Top

Chicken McN ugge Prawn cracke ts yum! rs, rice and gravy, garlic bread and cheesy chips yum yum!

p Maverick as a pu

with Lying

Neish

a

meet My mam took me to es Clu es Blu m fro vin Ke

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Joanna 1 Scott Walker ilt This City 2 Starship We Bu in you s Let me enterta 3 Robbie William s ego a go go 4 Robbie William Woman Man I feel like a 5 Shania Twain Ringer for Love 6 Meatloaf Dead as could be christm 7 Slade I wish it every Day l 8 Aqua Barbie gir u go go me up before yo 9 Wham Wake Joanna 10 Peter Grant

Daniel’s Holidays Daniel really enjoyed his holidays and Lisa made sure that he had the opportunity to experience all of the adventure and pleasure that any child could. They made several trips to Disneyworld in Florida where he loved to meet his favourite characters, even the staff at the Barney show eventually started to recognise him because he liked to see the show so often (We won’t mention that Jack was scared of the Winkster).

Just chillin!

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my lane on On the p to Florida first trip

Do I look cool or w hat!

One of the times mam took us to Florida, she had to push my chair , so made Jack ca rry these pizzas, that were bigger than him, Ha Ha !

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Plates do make good hats

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Me and my Bro

Beep Beep, out of the way curley

At Jill’s 1 8th Birthd ay with so me of my friends

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A few of our precious memories of Daniel

Fez (Gr ah Daniel y am) ou may no son but that did t have been m y not ma for you tter. The biological is never Love I h ending singing .Iw ave an made m d the hours & ill miss your hours th e watch at you Mrs Buc made m ke e tape on sit and look fo t! The hours yo ra ly u already to find out afte certain casset te knew it r half an was bro wormed ken or w hour you a iggly amazin s you called it. gt W single m imes together. e had some I emory.

Love Fe will cherish ev ery z your D ad.

m Leybourne Enia, one of the staff fro buggers if we He used to call us cheeky also always ask to uld wound him up. he wo lked in the door wa he en wh go in the bath uld cost a fiver and I would joke that it wo to leyborne coz e extra or that he only cam say that he was uld wo He h. he wanted a bat re was a rude going to tell Dennis. The ion, I didn't answer once to my quest ghing till the tears lau ut expect it and fell abo rolled down my face.

teacher, Leanne (Daniel’s class l) oo Sch y Percy Hedle h Daniel, especially I will miss my cuddles wit , every morning ley on residential to Beams niel would then Da . e' tim in and at 'tucking len too and we always get a cuddle off He couldn’t resist a he would joke about how s Daniel saying mis to blonde!! I am going day when he came "morning hot pot" every ught a smile to my into class. He always bro gorgeous giggle n, gri face with his cheeky ur. mo hu of se sen and fantastic known Daniel and I feel honoured to have . atly will miss him gre Lots of love Leanne xxxx Denis (Percy Hedley School) I will remember Dan wit h great affection. We would greet each other every day with "Morning Mush" and at home time it would be, "See you tomorrow , Mush". When we worked on the compu ter together, he used to stick his finger in my earhole. Dont ask me why! He would often ask me for a cuddle so I would give him what I called "a man hug". I cannot find the words to describe how much I will miss him. He was a huge part of my life.

Things will never be the same but I will always remember his cheeky grin and the twinkle in his eye.

See ya Mush. Denis.

tle, was really lit iel when he ed n an e D p g o n h ti ic it xpin, wh u ber babys R m y e d m d re Te o n I ca ith his g he w uld ve to play w When it started to sin lo e ld u o w e h gs. k back at m d sang son ’s nose, loo it’s mouth an his tiny hand, touch it ith reach out w gine gle for ages. ig e the fire en re and then g s of the tim ar ’s fi sa ye r Li fo n o e much coal minding m o re to d us t u ve p lo I ila e H and was h rio babysitting l thought it ie an a D . st re came. I was ju fi ney caught up (Jack was , and the chim undled him and Jack se b I d Dad’s hou d as Marie, an ok them to my Mam an w sill to watch the o d to n the wind toddler) an standing o ck uld see the Ja co l ld ie e h I an rsonal where indow. D w e th f his own pe o t g u o yed havin jo years n fire engine r e fo ly e al m re hts and ld say to u o w e H . h flashing lig ug ad a good la ngine”. disco. He h re e fi e th r e b m ther people after “Reme ed about o rn ce n co d so caring an are you” whenever he Daniel was how ow . No matter ways ask “h he would al whenever you saw him ould still or ew m he had h telephoned ever proble at h w r o y poorl g when he always ask. n to him sin were te lis d an ere e to watch rgot that th I used to lik s on and fo e n looking he o u h p yo d ad e had his h n he notice e h W . say how m o ld e ro op. I wou st d an e people in th d se apply to th all embarra re going to e w , would get o e w “N t at u and sho as and th ould laugh good he w w e h d an him X Factor for No” ught Lisa and bro to it d e that for cr al a re him. I know d n u Daniel was o ar e n unded by to everyo e was surro h happiness e, lif is h f y to have every day o was so luck er her love. He caring as h d an devoted ay st as e to n d o e ar h m so fought so e h y h w is and that with us. so happy all made him z Fe e d an chance to b Lisa, Jack dy gets the o al b n ry io at ve ir e t sp and in and no ch a special e su th y f b o d d e u touch e so pro should all b im. I just person. You you gave h e lif f o y it al u q l iration and wonderfu rds the adm o w to in t u can't p u all.

I have for yo our respect that you were in ankful that th u so yo f am o I k Daniel, will thin u loads and lives, miss yo e rest of my life. xxx r th everyday fo

Uncle Dari

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Nanna and Grandad You brought hapiness and joy to our lives from the da y that you were born. We we re so proud of you and admi red the way you overcame you r disability. You never complained and were always polite and friendly. You were great with music and ha da talent to play the keybo ard by ear. Everyone loved an d admired you. We will thi nk of you everyday fro the res t of our lives, we will miss you so much, you were an ins piration, All our love and God Ble ss.

n, l.

Lynn Watso dley schoo r ,Percy He e ch a h it te w d a g He dealin at my desk ning Percy I am sitting ed with run at ci so as n io inking at tr is admin g as I am th l and smilin o is. I know o h th t Sc u y o le ab Hed ould say w l ie hen I an D d oing an w about what what I was d e ld likely m u k o w as e ld h he wou rk to do o w n ch u m so ing so you ca replied I had d stop work a an y r b te d la ie r an fo p be accom say leave it ld u o g w n yi is elf!. Th g whilst tr enjoy yours e was jokin h ed is e al g re an e chuckle as h happy. This type of exch as s thought w I ay w re al su e h en to iel as pical of Dan people would be ty liked it when lite and y el in u en g o d ,p an g s n ri er of oth such a ca smile Daniel was y. a p st ap e h e ad er m w an who m g n u him in yo w l sa ever I wonderfu a day. When es how are m n ti s so u at o numer ello Mrs W "h y very sa ld u w o was al ays school he w plained and m . co a er st ev d n you"? He ith friends an ile or joke w l in my quick to sm age of Danie im g n ro st a have agine the I will always d think I im an p o st I hen ether about head and w ld have tog u co to e w s n eas on how conversatio ughts and id o e th is es h th d re an school will treasu ne happy. I make everyo memories. t Wishes.

Love and Bes

u I first met yo hen Iain and w e at m ti th e t A th t at world. se I must star nolly ay in Disney had any. I suppo a for a holid Debbie Con m d ri so was like we o e Fl it , av to ly h e e te n w ia la p in ed a m eg g b im in to d , we Where ilst boar all bonded straight away , we met wh t friends. We connection le at you b th and your mam in and I had met our bes va is ie st el o b n m th Ia ds out the ys had an u o an b st u to at Yo . g th moment bo es in e liv amaz the on other all our ed and it was at week, and ck th it by ti f o er to n es th known each o ri o o ld p and ho g how each ca ntastic mem in se fa w u o e o m kn M , so y er e hav Micke g togeth d giggle. This ch Iain’s red eer joy bein u would pin ould laugh an at Iain and it would yo boys had sh w d en h an w k is ac e b er on look get it just have to watch. Anoth Iain would try in vain to y in your an you would mam and I took such jo k, D ea k, p e ee w th e g th r r u bitin ve rever, Iain Yo o . fo le s es g d be frien many tim g you gig ld so in u o ak ed w m e en w p rn tu ap h s in we knew my Sophie fits of giggle e flew home t back home w o s g I A met e. en h m set Iain off in ti w l ck and ment Sophie a very specia tle brother Ja soon after, from the mo lit r u antics; it was yo t ee very t wait to m e all met up and I couldn’ t all of you. W ee m to t ai w Dan, couldn’t e did. ent with you ved you as w times we sp e th f you all she lo o l es ia ri spec emo y precious m my personal out, etc, but l have so man uch and am ls al m ea e so w m , s it er ar d st ye ve Over the e time, I lo hristmas, Ea C th , l al es w down the ti e le n ar b o p h day kisses we e u on the p th yo l icks al to all your birth d g in an lk ve you especially st e been ta ch other I lo e phone call n ea you, O g . moments hav n to lli am id te m , sa r ly e u s it terrib back to yo n to this, sh e te n o lis h p id e sa going to mis th ill r mam y”. I w e you passed ith you, you u my mamm line every tim lovely chat w e background, “I love yo a ad h I r te af th in my mind, u replied in y Dan”, and yo ne of these memories. o “I love you m le rer centre, re every sing the Alan Shea ng. My at l o o p always treasu y alo therap Iain to come t at the hydro ask me and to es were spen ri d o n ki . em it so m d l e ia ve er More spec much and w ith you, he lo oing there so rget these times spent w ur you loved g fo ur friends. Yo ever going to ol and all yo o h Iain is never sc , g ily n m ur fa ed, taki passion for yo your posters you collect ember your l al m s, re s ce n ay w ra al We will g Up Appea uch more. usic, Keepin and much, m ve lo u passion for m and yo e n ly fantastic, s of everyo was absolute photograph it was e, it m g ti l in ia h of everyt very spec am thought party was a r m u ay r d u yo th yo in ir , s b it th p to id mile Your eighteen ted for weeks leading u ecially. You d and you esp exci er ecial night so ev e sp e er ry m w ti ve u t yo the bes ce floor. A ad h an d e n e yo th d er n perfect. Ev nd and arou ht Dan arou soul, she is chair that nig u heart and yo s ve lo t tooth and e sh ow Dan, s and fough n ay w am al m u r u yo f erishes you about yo t care o loves and ch took the bes I have to talk e e Sh sh . , u w ur ‘Big’ yo o kn to you devoted so Fez and yo lly al , ta rt to ea s, wonderful as d th ee ee and u sw for all your n ter her for yo . We love them nail for you e will look af you so much W s . er se is th o m s. o o n h ay like alw Jack w d care of them Little brother we take goo re su e ak m will dest urest and kin u have the p yo riched l, en ia n ec ee sp b so very lives have r u O . et m Dan you are m ever y how uch ne we have h words to sa g u o en w you t soul of anyo o n e ve you. I kno you, there ar will always lo Jack. e w d by knowing d an z an u Fe to miss yo your mam, g in lly o ia g e ec p ar es e w f us, ing over all o will be watch d Sophie xxx , Kev, Iain an ie b eb D s, ay alw All our love

If anyone would like to make donations to Daniel’s School, they can be sent to the address below, In memory of Daniel Smith Percy Hedley School, Head Teacher, Lynn Watson The Percy Hedley Foundation Hampeth Lodge, Forest Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne.

United Kingdom NE12 8YY

To find out more about the amazing work done by amazing people at Percy Hedley School, go to www.percyhedley.org.uk

We know Daniel would have liked to thank:

All the staff and pupils at the Percy Hedley School that he loved so much, he loved being there and thanks to all of the brilliant staff at Leybourne.

All the wonderful and caring Taxi Drivers and Escorts who took him to school and supplied vast amounts of sweets and flying saucers. Also for putting up with his taste in music.

All of his friends and family who thought the world of him.

His dogs, Neisha and Maverick for making him laugh and cleaning his knees of crumbs.

Neisha and Dan spent almost 11 years together and she was so gentle with him. She always lay next to him if he was poorly and gave him lots of love.

Debbie, Kev, Iain and Sophie for being the bestest friends he could have ever wished to have.

Uncle Darin and Auntie Marie for always being there and spoiling him rotten. He could not have wished for a better Aunt and Uncle. Even if Uncle Darin did wind him up!!

His Nanna Joan and Grandad Derek who loved him dearly and miss him so much.

His younger brother Jack for giving him so much care, help and attention and Fez (Graham) who was Daniel’s Dad for 9 years.

But most of all Daniel would have liked to thank his mam Lisa for fighting tirelessly to get him the care he needed and giving him such a wonderful quality of life that was second to none, because of her, he received and gave more love than most people would manage in ten lifetimes.

We are all so lucky to have

had Daniel in our lives

Move over mate, Dan will be doing the music from now on!