Our family adopted Jack when he was a month old, knowing that he had Down syndrome accompanied by a severe heart condition that would require surgery. Ultimately, we knew it was possible that he might not survive more than a few months. The first thing we noticed was how it affected our young sons. They became more compassionate, more understanding and more patient. They changed from being little boys to being little boys who wanted to be men. As Jack survived, then thrived, our sons continued to serve him as he taught them about monumental and unconditional love. Jack continues to lead us by his example. Life is to be enjoyed. It is to be lived to our fullest ability. It is to be lived in the moment and we should always stop to help someone else. In essence, Jack teaches our family how simple life can be when we focus our attention on the needs of others. No one has brought more happiness to our home than Jack has. At Ele Lembra, we try to help other families to understand how adding a member with Special Needs will enhance their family and build its members.