Case studies - Matthew and Ryan Williams
Matthew and Ryan Williams, aged 19 and 16, are brothers and great mates too. Matthew recently got his first job and Ryan is finishing his A levels and also plays keyboard with Sheila Lord and Dan Fraser-Betts in band The Shy. The boys talk to Shine about their individual hopes and dreams as well as their relationship as brothers.
Matt says, “I went to Cedar Hall school in Thundersleigh. I’m really enjoying my first job at Iceland. My jobs are putting out the frozen food and the grocery section.
“My hobbies are watching my brother’s band The Shy and I love football and have a season ticket at Southend United. I play guitar a bit. I like to play the Xbox 360, and love to sing and play football. My biggest goal in life would be to sing.”
Ryan says, “Me and Matt have always been very close. When I was younger, I didn’t even notice he had Down’s syndrome so it never used to affect me, he was just my big brother and always will be.
“Well, the main differences in my relationship with my younger sister and my brother Matt is obviously having to be a lot more understanding, patient and respectful of Matthew. Due to his condition, he needs a lot more care and attention.
“The best thing about having Matt as a brother is watching him achieve so many things that a lot of people with his condition wouldn't be able to do. He’s very intelligent and talented.
”The worst thing about having Matthew as a brother is probably watching him struggle with things, like money and communicating with people, and knowing that there's only so much I can do to help. Also, it’s frustrating seeing him want to be the older, more protective brother and do things other people can do when he trys so hard but sometimes can’t achieve them.
“I’m in a band with Sheila Lord and Dan Fraser Betts called The Shy and Matt enjoys the music very much. He loves hearing how the band is going and he comes to watch all the gigs. He loves to help us and is always on hand to help move equipment around. He loves being a part of it all.
”I love playing in The Shy. We’ve been lucky and had some success recently. We played the UK student festival Beach Break Live which was a wonderful experience.
”When I leave school I think I’ll take a gap year to concentrate on my music and to improve my piano grades. Then I may study music at university, which I hope will give me more skills I need to improve my playing, writing and performance so I can do it for a living, which is what I've always wanted.”
