‘How he lived each day’
Lone Pine man remembered for love, compassion on World Down Syndrome Day
When Jimmy Rasel was a baby, doctors told his parents he probably wouldn’t live past 10 years old.
On March 15, Jimmy – described by family members as one of the most joyful, sincere and kind people anyone could meet – died at age 79.
He was close to being the oldest person in the world with Down syndrome, said Amanda McWreath, his great niece by marriage.
“He lived a long and incredible life because he was surrounded by as much love as he gave,” she said.
When Jimmy (whose given name was Charles) was born in 1946, many babies with Down syndrome were treated as burdens to their families.
His parents, Albert and Edith Sowers Rasel, didn’t see it that way. They treated Jimmy like any of the other children in the family. He did what they did, he went where they went, Amanda and her husband, Evan McWreath, said.
It was that support and love that gave Jimmy such a good life, Evan said. “They let him be who he was,” Amanda said.
Jimmy, who lived in Lone Pine, was buried Friday, the day before World Down Syndrome Day.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has an extra chromosome, explained Katelyn Herman, a behavior specialist at The Arc Fayette. It affects about 1 in 700 babies in the U.S., she said.
People who have Down syndrome have distinct physical characteristics, and may have physical or developmental delays, Herman said. One of the misconceptions is that the delays will stop those with the syndrome from leading full lives, holding jobs, having relationships and contributing to their communities, she said.
And then there is the use of “the dreaded R word,” said Jessica Carpenter, whose 18-year-old son Mason has Down syndrome.
“You have to explain why that word should no longer be used,” she said. “Some get it, but some shrug it off.”
In 2011, the Greene County mother started Hello 2 Hope, a Facebook community for the families of children with Down syndrome.
“There was really nothing in the area resource-wise,” said Carpenter. That meant treks to Pittsburgh to get help and guidance.
In Hello 2 Hope, she created a place to share information and resources, and support. Through fundraisers, the biggest of which is their annual golf outing, the group also helps families who may need gas or food cards. Members are also there for others who need to talk about their struggles – or share the triumphs of their loved one with Down syndrome. And there are many of the latter.
“They really open your eyes to a whole new world,” Carpenter said.
Jimmy’s family would agree.
He enjoyed his job of 20 years at Arc Human Services in Washington, never met a stranger and celebrated birthdays like they were “national holidays,” Amanda said.
Jimmy also loved The King.
He listened to Elvis’ records and had a Christmas tree decorated with only Elvis ornaments. (“The house was essentially an Elvis tribute,” Evan said.)
“Blue Hawaii,” the name of both an Elvis song and the 1961 movie he starred in, led to Jimmy’s love of Hawaiian shirts – so much so that family members planned to wear them to his funeral.
Jimmy’s life was simple, meaningful and full of so much love, Amanda and Evan said.
And while he’s passed on, they said, the joy and kindness he shared have left an indelible mark on everyone he knew.
“He was truly remarkable. Not just because of how long he lived, not just how many days he lived, but how he lived each day,” Amanda said.
Hello 2 Hope is an open Facebook group found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/hello2hope. Information on fundraisers can also be found on the page.
The Arc Fayette provides services to Fayette County residents who have many different intellectual and developmental disabilities. To learn more about their services, visit arcfayette.org.