Eighty and extraordinary: Elizabeth celebrates milestone birthday

Elizabeth, who is supported by Hft in Devon, enjoyed a party with family and friends

Elizabeth Eastley who is one of the oldest people in the world to have Down Syndrome has celebrated her 80th birthday.

Born in 1945, and one of six siblings, Elizabeth was only expected to live until her mid-twenties. But she has continued to defy the odds, marking her big birthday with a party with family and friends.

Elizabeth grew up in a little village near Brixham until she was five years-old. But as many children were due to start school, Elizabeth moved to a children’s care institution in Bristol where she would spend all of her childhood.

Her mum and dad visited as regularly as they could, but living miles away and without a car, it meant a four mile walk and many trains to get to the city.

Brother Brian said: “When Elizabeth was young she lived with us at home.

“She was our little sister, we just took care of her. We were no different to any other family.

“When she moved, mum and dad visited as often as they could, but without a car it was a huge journey and I remember them leaving the house very early and returning late into the night.”

Elizabeth then moved around care settings, eventually settling at a home in Exeter.

It was while she was there that she met a lady called Betty Howard. Betty secured her own house and Elizabeth and two other ladies supported at the home moved in with her.

Moving in with Betty transformed Elizabeth’s life, with the three friends and Betty enjoying numerous activities, including holidays including cruises.

“She had the most wonderful life living with Betty,” said Brian. “She loved her holidays and getting out and about and she loved singing and dancing.

“She would go to the local disco and be the last one standing, refusing to leave until the DJ had packed up his stuff.

“And she was always up early, ready to collect the milk off the milkman and tell him off if she thought he was late.”

As well as holidays and music, Elizabeth also had a love of crafting and art – often making pom poms as decorations.

She was also a regular at the local beauty salon and loved having her nails painted – a treat she still enjoys today.

With Brian and his wife Eve moving to Exeter in 1981 and closer to Elizabeth, the siblings enjoyed spending more time together, with Elizabeth being a regular visitor at their home for her tea.

Twelve years ago, while still living with Betty, Elizabeth suffered her first stroke.

Betty brought Elizabeth back home but despite supporting her back to health, Elizabeth suffered a second stroke shortly afterwards.

When Betty’s circumstances changed, Elizabeth moved into respite care – and that is when she moved to a residential service in Bampton, operated by the learning disability charity Hft.

“She settled in so well,” said sister-in-law Eve.

“It was a like a home from home for her and she was so happy there, she stayed.”

Elizabeth, who uses a wheelchair and struggled with her speech following her stroke, moved permanently to Bampton in 2019.

With the person-centred support offered by the charity, her support team worked with Elizabeth to improve her communication, enabling her to have more choice and control in her life. As a result, Elizabeth started joining conversations and lets the staff know what she wants.

Elizabeth continues to lead a busy and fulfilling life, attending a weekly choir and coffee mornings at the church.

She also enjoys weekly visits from Brian and Eve where she enjoys trips out shopping and visiting local garden centres.

One of her favourite treats are Jelly Babies – which her support workers melt down for her to ensure she can continue to enjoy on her soft diet.

Brian and Eve also send Elizabeth, who loves fresh flowers, a beautiful bouquet every month to enjoy.

“Elizabeth is very happy living in Bampton,” said Brian. “It is her home. When we take her back after a day out we feel happy when we leave there, knowing she is well supported, loved and looked after.”

Elizabeth enjoyed a sing song with the Holler Choir, of which she is a member, at her birthday party. There was also a party tea.

“We didn’t put 80 candles on the cake,” joked Brian. “That may have been a fire hazard.

“The party was fabulous and Elizabeth enjoyed every minute.

“When we look back now, it’s hard to believe that initially it was thought that Elizabeth would not live past her twenties.

“But with good care, support and lots of love, she has enjoyed a long, happy and fulfilling life – and that’s all, as her family, we could have ever wished for.”

Down Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to developmental delays.

The life expectancy of people who have Down Syndrome is between 50 and 60 years of age, which has increased dramatically during the 20th century.

Today, with the right support, people who have Down Syndrome are living longer and healthier lives than ever before.