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The family of an islander believed to be the oldest woman in the British Isles with Down's Syndrome have praised the charity that looks after her after she recently celebrated her 73rd birthday.
Kaitlyn Brown, a senior support worker at Les Amis who cares for Libby Drake, describes her as “very, very bubbly”.
“She’s got a wicked sense of humour, she comes out with beautiful one-liners right at the perfect times. She knows how to light up a room.”
Growing up in the 1950s, it was expected that Libby would only live about 15 to 20 years – and her niece Julie Stephens credits her father and the care she receives at Les Amis for keeping her healthy and her high quality of life.
Libby has now lived at Les Amis – a charity providing residential care to people with learning disabilities – for 32 years.
Libby was raised by her father, who made sure to give her lots of independence – so for most of her life, Libby has been independently getting the bus into town and going to the shops.
Pictured: Les Amis held a birthday meal for Libby and her family (provided by Julie Stephens and Les Amis)
“Being independent has helped massively,” Julie said.
After he was diagnosed with dementia and moved into a care home, Libby moved in first with her niece Julie, and soon after moved to Les Amis.
“She used to go there for respite care and she always loved it,” Julie said.
About 20 years ago, Libby was diagnosed with early-onset dementia, which people with Down’s Syndrome are particularly at risk for.
For the future, Julie is calling for more support for families.
“It’s really important that the island has the facility to support people...I think there are a lot of families that don’t know that there is help out there, I think there are families that would use facilities like Les Amis if there was more space available for them and more facilities that support people like that.”
She is very appreciative of the charity, adding: “Les Amis are amazing. We think that the job they do is incredible – without them, Libby wouldn’t have had the quality of life that she has.”
To mark Learning Disability Week, Les Amis and Beresford Street Kitchen will be on Broad Street until 15:30 today (Thursday 22 June).
Asked what people should know about learning disabilities, Kaitlyn said: “There is a massive misconception as to what they’re able to do and what they’re not able to do.
“They bring a beautiful presence into the community and I think we recognise it a lot more now.”
She added that there is a lot more work to be done.
Pictured - top: Libby has been independent throughout her life (provided by Julie Stephens and Les Amis)
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