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June Freeman's son Ivan, now in his forties, was brain damaged through an accident at birth. She contacted Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Truths after hearing Fiona Wilson talk about her initial reaction to learning that her baby had Down's Syndrome.

Ellen & Ivan as children

Last week, Fiona Wilson confessed that Charles' upbringing might adversely affect his older sister Ella Rose's life. Somebody who is qualified to reassure Fiona is Ellen Freeman. Her brother Ivan, now in his forties, was brain damaged through an accident at birth.

It was clear to Ivan's parents that there was as problem when he was about 18 months old. They thought he was deaf, but on further examination, it transpired that he was mentally handicapped. It later emerged that he had been starved of oxygen at birth.

Ivan now

Ellen doesn't ever remember Ivan's handicap being mentioned. She just never thought of him as different. Ellen was always his defender to other children.

Ivan is now 42 and doesn't live at home anymore. This was a difficult decision for Ellen and her parents to make. But it has paid off because Ivan is happy.

Ivan has a wicked sense of humour and, Ellen says, "Life wouldn't be nearly as good as it is without Ivan".