| Location | Denny, Uk |
| Age | 10 years |
| Cause of Death | Epilepsy |
| Date of Birth | 10/06/1997 |
| Date of Death | 06/11/2007 |
| Visitors | 1,617 since 17/03/2009 |
| Creator |
We first met Dean on Wednesday 8th March 2000.
I remember how beautiful he was and how he was so upset- it turned out that the carer who had dressed him that morning had put his body brace on upside down; an early indication of the complexities of looking after Dean, even if we didn't realise it at the time. It didn't matter anyway- he had already captured our hearts and, to paraphrase Jerry Maguire, "He had us at hello."
So, on the Thursday he visited us at home, much happier and on the Friday he moved in, for a 6 week bridging placement you understand!
It's funny to look back, but in looking for photos, I stumbled across one of the pieces of paperwork that we had to complete during our fostering approval. It listed the things that we didn't think we could cope with- we had in our minds a smiley child with Downs syndrome or something. Dean had all of the characteristics that we thought we couldn't deal with, with his Cerebral palsy and his other complexities but you know what, in that instant we realised that the criteria were just that, and Dean was a wee boy who needed us. Such was life with Dean.
We quickly realised that Dean was a keeper. By all accounts, the first night under our roof was Dean's first full night's sleep ever.
3 months in and Dean had his first chest infection. I sat up with him all night, reassuring him and comforting him when he got upset. It was a steep learning curve for both Anita and I. Over the years and further medical upheavals, we learned to go with the flow and make the best of the times when he was well. We ended up on first name terms with nearly every paediatric medic and nurse in Central Scotland.
Time moved on and we decided that we wanted to foster Dean permanently and this was agreed. He became one of our own, although he had really been there since about 2 hours in. Carrie Doted on him, calling him Deano, although this changed when Abi arrived to Deanie. Our extended family accepted him and took him for their own too and he became a "weel kent face" in the local community.
He travelled with us to France and to Florida, to worship at the temple of the mouse called Mickey where he had a ball, although he was never happier than in the house on the floor, crawling, falling and laughing with his toys and people who loved him and leaving a trail of havoc and destruction in his wake.
He continued to grow and mature and surpass every expectation placed on him. He went to mainstream nursery in Denny with his peers and then to the Craighalbert Centre in Cumbernauld at Primary 1 and then, ultimately to Oaklands School in Edinburgh for his last 2 ½ years. He turned from poor wee soul into fine young man, fancied by all the girls and respected by all the boys in his class.
There are so many great memories of Dean,
Meeting Mickey Mouse in Paris and him sending the other kids who ran up away while he concentrated on Dean
The flight to Florida, which was he roughest I had ever experienced which Dean thought of as a 10 hour rollercoaster ride
The first time I saw him in his walker at school, as King Herod in the Christmas Play, striding out at his not inconsiderable full height, wearing his cape and crown.
The cuddles on the floor.
The excitement every time he got out of his wheelchair to play on the floor.
Messing his hair every morning and the wee kiss every night when settling him to bed after his feed.
Dean out on his trike and the local kids knocking at the door after to see if he could go out and play with them again.
All the kids in the paddling pool in the garden during the hot summer last year and Dean joining them, fully clothed!
There are so many moments that come to mind, I could go on and on, but regardless of who you are and how you came to know Dean, you will know that he got under your skin. He was such a special boy. We believe he was put on earth to ensure that we became better people by knowing him. We are obviously emotional at this time, but we would want everyone involved with Dean and his care to know how much we appreciate the support we have received over the years; Janice and her home care team, medical staff from all over, Brian and his team at Chavey Down, All of the staff at Craighalbert and at Oaklands, social work staff, especially Linda, Dave, Morag and Leni, and our family and friends and anyone else that I have missed to know how much their time and input meant. We would also like to thank Alan and the other officers from Central Scotland Police and Medical and Ambulance staff for their understanding and sensitivity in dealing with such a traumatic event.
Dean came into our lives almost by chance, yet he became so much a part of our lives that it is difficult to imagine life from now on, when he is with us only in our hearts.
He was our beautiful boy.
The music on this page was written and performed by my old friend Mick, a beautiful song entitled "Tall Trees". The song is an unspoken conversation between Dean and I.
Teenager!
Wee man,
If you were still with us you'd be 14 today. Still miss you today like I did the day you passed. All of our love, always,
Iain, Anita, Carrie and Abi
You'll be in my Heart
Lyric by Phil Collins
This was one of the songs from Diseny's Tarzan. It described the relationship between Kayla, the mother gorilla and Tarzan- it describes beautifully the relationship between Dean and our family. Thinking of you always wee guy.
Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand Hold it tight
I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart, always
Why can't they understand
the way we feel
They just don't trust
what they can't explain
I know we're different but,
deep inside us
We're not that different at all
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know
We need each other,
to have, to hold
They'll see in time
I know
When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on,
Now and forever more
Oh, you'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart, always
Always
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
Xxxxx
♩♪♫♬ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♩♪♫♬
♫♬ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♫♬
♫♬ HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR DEAN ♫♬
♫♬ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU . ♫♬
-♩♪♫♬ ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ ♩♪♫♬
A Special Child - by Edna Massionilla
A meeting was held quite far from earth,
Time again for another birth,
Said the Angels to the Lord above
This special child will need a lot of love.
Their progress may be very slow
Accomplishments they may not show
And they'll require special care
From the folks they'll meet way down there .
They may not run or laugh or play
Their thoughts my seem so far away
In many ways they won't adapt
And they'll be known as Handicapped.
So let’s be careful where they're sent
We want their life to be content,
Please Lord find the Parents who
Will do this special job for you.
They will not realise straight away,
The leading role they'll have to play
But with this child sent from up above
Comes stronger faith and richer love.
And soon they'll know the privilege given
In caring for this Gift from Heaven.
This precious child so meek and mild
Is Heaven’s Very Special Child XX
Copyright of Edna Massionilla
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For You Angel xXx
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Greetings Angel From Fuerteventura xxx
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butterfly....with love angel...xxx...
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Merry Christmas Dean xxx
*♥* MERRY CHRISTMAS ANGEL IN HEAVEN *♥*
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