Written by Andy’s sister, Shirley.
Andrew (Andy), Pauli was born in California on June 29, 1962. Because of the times, back then he was diagnosed with what they called ‘Mongoloidism’, now called Down’s syndrome. He was the third of three children to Orlo and Yvonne Pauli. Soon they moved back to Milbank, South Dakota, and Yvonne and Orlo decided they wanted a little girl to round out the family. So I was adopted into the family. My name is Shirley Audus (Pauli).
Growing up in the late 60’s, 70’s and 80’s there were many challenges. But our parents faced them head-on. Like the time there was a terrible storm coming in the summer when I was little, and they couldn’t find Andy anywhere. They finally found him just before the storm hit fast asleep in the cornfield north of our family farm.
Our mom always told me that while we lived on the farm, she and dad were always worried about how the neighbours would take to Andy. But they needn’t have worried at all. Most, if not all of our closest neighbours and friends loved and still love Andy to this day. They always helped us look out for him when we needed it.
Unfortunately, in the late 1970’s, Andy got really, really sick. They soon discovered he had Acute Lymphocytic Leukaemia. So they took him to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, our largest city with the best hospitals, and they took care of him. As of May 1980, he has been completely cured of the leukaemia. Praise God!
Soon after that, our parents discovered a new training and adjustment center for those who were mentally and/or physically handicapped in Watertown, South Dakota, about an hour away from Milbank. They talked it over, and they decided to move Andy there. When it started, it was called ATCO Enterprises. Now it’s called New Horizons, and Andy had been living here for more than 40 years in various group homes, and doing great! His health is declining a little, but you have to remember, he’ll be 60 this June 29th. He’s part of a retirement group home now, but still does things through New Horizons every week.
Our father and two older brother passed away starting in 2010, and our mom had three TIA attacks in her brain. The last one scared her enough to decide to move to Watertown, where Andy, and now me, live. So every other weekend, Andy goes from his group home to stay with our Mom, and on the other weekends, she picks him up for church and spends the day with him. I also get to see him when I want to now, as well!
I love my brother very dearly, and can’t wait until June 29 to really embarrass him at his 60th birthday party! LOL! I just wanted to share this all with you in the hopes that it can inspire others to reach for the stars, like my parents and brother.
Thanks for your time!