Elizabeth continues to defy odds as she hits 80

A WOMAN who is one of the oldest people in the world to have Down Syndrome has celebrated her 80th birthday.

- STAFF REPORTER

Elizabeth Eastley is one of the oldest people in the world with Downs Syndrome and has just celebrated her 80th birthday

(HFT)

Born in 1945, and one of six siblings, Elizabeth Eastley was only expected to live until her mid-twenties.

But she has continued to defy the odds, marking her big birthday with a party with family and friends.

Elizabeth grew up in a little village near Brixham in Devon until she was five years old.

But as many children were due to start school, Elizabeth moved to a children's care institution in Bristol where she would spend all of her childhood.

Her mum and dad visited as regularly as they could, but living miles away and without a car, it meant a four-mile walk and many trains to get to the city.

Brother Brian said: "When Elizabeth was young she lived with us at home.

"She was our little sister, we just took care of her. We were no different to any other family.

"When she moved, Mum and Dad visited as often as they could, but without a car it was a huge journey and I remember them leaving the house very early and returning late into the night."

Elizabeth then moved around care settings, eventually settling at a home in Exeter

It was while she was there that she met a lady called Betty Howard. Betty secured her own house, and Elizabeth and two other ladies supported at the home moved in with her.