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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Boiseans Grateful For 71YO ‘Down’s‘ Son

It isn't Edgar Call's age that makes him unique, though it's certainly unusual. No, family members say, there's a lot more to Edgar than being one of the country's oldest living men with Down syndrome. "When you're looking at Edgar, you're looking at an angel," his "sister" Annika Rau said. "And the same could be said for my parents for what they've done for him." Her parents, Van and Veanne Elg, took Edgar in on the advice of Van Elg's mother, then working at a group home where Edgar was living. "She thought he'd be good for us," Veanne Elg said. "We weren't sure at the time. He was a complete stranger. But we met him and fell in love with him." Edgar has been living with the Elgs for 17 years now. In August, he'll be 71/Tim Woodward (pictured), Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Does a member of your family or a friend have Down Syndrome? What is your relationship like?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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