Freddie’s Story
My big brother, Freddie.
Sounds funny when he is, in fact, quite a bit smaller than I am.
But he’s 11 years older. Therefore, he is my big brother.
Life always felt normal with Freddie. There were things we all sacrificed, I see that now. But it was our normal.
Just like a big brother, he teased me! By playing the piano as loud as he could while I was watching a movie!
Just like a big brother, he drove me crazy sometimes! By throwing my new toy out the car window while we were driving in Toledo!
Just like a big brother, he had times when all the annoyance melted away and we new we were great friends! Like this moment pictured here. My wedding day.
My brother Freddie was born with a rare genetic disorder called Cornelia de Lange Syndrome.
Many encouraged my parents to put him into a group home - even before they brought him home from the hospital - but one doctor encouraged them to “take him home and love him". And that’s what they’ve done. For over 50 years.
So, when did we meet the bear?
Well, once upon a time, Freddie wore shoes. Yes, that is a complete sentence. He doesn’t wear shoes anymore. I don’t think he likes them. He used to wear white shoes that were pretty hard to come by, therefore, pretty expensive. But he started kicking them off daily and they would go missing often. So often, in fact, that my dad started to joke that the bear must be stealing his shoes. And the story was born…
Get in Touch
Want to share the special story of Freddie and the Bear with your students or community members? Author Elizabeth Davenport will be happy to set up a speaking engagement with your group! Reach out using the contact form, or by sending an email to elizabethdavenportstories@gmail.com.