JANET BRYERBristol woman Janet Bryer, thought to be the oldest in Britain with Down's syndrome, died aged 72 on 7 December, 2009.When Janet was born in 1937, her parents were told she would not make it past 21. After her death her nieces paid tribute to someone they knew as a wonderful, loving lady."Janet was love, happiness, contentment and politeness. She always said thank you when you did anything for her," said niece Jackie Williams."Whenever you met her she always had a smile and wanted to know how you were. Her love was unconditional."Janet was the ninth of 10 children and was born at home in Armoury Square, Easton, to Charles and Florence Bryer.Mrs Williams, 67, of Weston-super- Mare, said: "When she was born there wasn't a lot of help. There's a lot more now. She was a lovely lady really. People forgot that and referred to her as a 'Down's syndrome'."Janet suffered polio as a child but did not have any of the heart problems usually associated with her condition.She lived with her mother until her death and then moved in with her sister – and Mrs Williams' mother – Joan Price on Averay Road, Stapleton.Mrs Williams said: "On the morning her mum died my mum came round and brought Janet back with her."She had her for 30 years."Mrs Williams' sister, Rosemary Gostage, who was still living at home when Janet came to stay said Janet was pushed aside a little as a child.She said: "She wasn't given a lot of time or attention until she came to live with my mum. Mum changed a lot of things. Janet only had a couple of teeth when she came to stay but mum took her to the dentist for new ones and got her some reading glasses."Three years ago Janet was diagnosed with dementia and went into Humphry Repton House, a specialist care home in Brentry.Mrs Williams said: "At the end mum just couldn't cope any more. Janet went through a spell of falling down. I know it broke mum's heart to put her in the care home. She couldn't have done anymore. I don't think I could have done it all those years. She never had a holiday."Mrs Price kept visiting Janet up to four times a week.Mrs Williams said: "I think a lot of it kept her going. She had a mobility car that my sister used to drive her in but that was taken away this week."Mum really, really loved caring for Janet. She'd bought her some lovely clothes for Christmas that were glittery and red. Janet never got to unwrap them."Janet broke her hip after a fall.Mrs Gostage, 50, of Fishponds, said: "I think she would have gone on longer had she not broken her hip. She did go downhill after that. When she was 70 it was such a milestone so to get up to now is just amazing.Around 90 people filled Canford crematorium in Westbury-on-Trym for Janet's funeral. Her siblings recalled some lasting memories.Her brother Jack remembered how Janet, who was six at the time, pushed a pram and baby that was left outside a front door to get fresh air, to his house. She was so pleased to show him the baby when she arrived and did this on no fewer than four occasions.Janet's love of music was also reflected at her funeral. Mrs Williams said: "We had Sarah Brightman's Time to Say Goodbye, You make me feel Brand New by the Stylistics and Goodbye my Love by Demis Roussos. Those were her favourites and she used to sing them with mum."There are 60,000 people in the UK with Down's Syndrome. Stuart Mills, information officer at the Down's Syndrome Association, said: "The average life expectancy for a person with Down's syndrome is between 60 and 65 these days."The fact that Janet reached 72 is a fantastic tribute to those who looked after her. There is a much better understanding of the health concerns of people with Down's syndrome now."http://www.this isbristol.co. uk/homepage/Tributes -paid- Janet-wonderful-lovi ng-lady/ article-1637274-deta il/ article.html [thisisbristol.co.uk ]
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