The Upside of Down

Screenshot of the home page of a special report by Decatur Daily photojournalist Gary Cosby, Jr. (Click photo to view this touching story)

April 11, 2010
Nothing changes lives like the birth of a child. For Gary Cosby Jr and wife Patty, the birth of Reece Cosby on July 3, 2007 changed their lives forever. After 7 previous children, Reece's birth seemed uneventful, but by his first birthday he was diagnosed with Trisomy 21, the most common form of Down syndrome. Reece was one of the more than 350,000 Americans affected by the genetic disorder that occurs in one in approximately 733 births.

Having a child with Down syndrome prompted Gary to begin a story idea that he hoped would tell not only Reece's story, but others in North Alabama. "The Upside of Down began as a twinkle in my son Reece’s eyes.  I would look in those beautiful little eyes and wonder how he was perceiving the world, what was he thinking.  What was going on in there that made those eyes sparkle with wonder all the time.  I wanted to know more." As the project began to develop Gary realized that there was a bigger story to tell. "What had begun with a more or less loose idea of doing stories on people with Down formed into a project that covered a wide range of age groups and topics that ranged from a one year old to a 64 year old and covered topics from education, life, faith, education and medical care and research."

Then on September 29, 2009 the unthinkable happened. At the age of 2, Reece died suddenly in his sleep. Understandably the project was shelved for six months as the Cosby family grieved and dealt with the unexpected death of their "Little Man".

Gary has finished the Upside of Down project and I invite you to read this touching and educational story by clicking the photo above or right here ....