ORPINGTON: Six weeks to live turned into a half century

A DOWN'S Syndrome man from Orpington who was given only six weeks to live when he was born has died at the age of 52.

When John Wood, of Court Road, was born with the genetic disorder and a severe heart condition, his parents were told he would not live long because surgery was not available at the time.

But the keen darts and snooker player, who reads the News Shopper every week, defied all the odds to live until he was 52.

He died of a heart attack at Queen Mary's Hospital on November 11 four years after receiving heart surgery.

His parents, Stan, 77, and Vera, 73, say their son's life should be an inspiration to other people with Down's Syndrome children.

And the Down Syndrome Association says Mr Wood's long life is "unusual" because surgery, which is now available to Down's Syndrome children, was not available to him in the 1940s.

Mr Wood said: "John was an amazing man who loved playing snooker, darts and table tennis and received many trophies.

"When he was younger, he was shunned and called 'mongol' by people.

"But he was always a cheerful person and, even when his heart condition got worse in the last few years, he remained in good spirits."

His mother explained how John went to the Astley Training Centre for disabled people, in Magpie Hall Lane, in Bromley, every day.

Holding back the tears, she said: "We will miss him very much because we gave our lives to him and he came on holiday with us every year. His armchair seems so empty now."

Down's Syndrome Association information officer Susanna Seyman said: "The fact that John Wood lived until he was 52 is very unusual because most Down's Syndrome children born in the 1940s would not have lived beyond their teens.

"At the time, the medical profession thought they were not worthy of heart operations.

"Nowadays, Down's Syndrome children born with a heart condition, which accounts for 40 to 50 per cent of them, have surgery and normally live until they're 60."

She added: "John's long life should be heartening for parents of Down's Syndrome children."

December 5, 2001 02:30