STROBEL: Variety Village regular 'helps make me who I am,' brother says

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Nate Casey and his sister Mackenzie are at a bittersweet crossroads.

“I don’t think we’ve ever been apart for more than a few days our whole lives,” says Nate, who just turned 19. He staffs programs at Variety Village that include Mackenzie (“Mac”), 21, who has Down syndrome.

Nate works part time at the Village to give them even more time together.

Their bond, tight as it is, will soon be tested. Nate is applying for university.

“There’ll still be holidays and breaks,” he assures Mac, “and you’re really good at FaceTime, right?”

Mac’s face lights up, as it often does when Nate talks. But it takes her forever to answer. It is one of Down syndrome’s many cruel quirks.

Nate has the patience of Job. If you’ve ever had a teenage son, you know that’s rare. Eventually, Mac manages a simple, “Yes!”

Says Nate: “If I didn’t have Mac, I’d be way more judgmental. I’d have way less understanding, way less patience.

“She helps make me who I am.”

Mackenzie spent her first week of life in an incubator. “It wasn’t certain you were going to make it, eh, Mac?” says her brother.

The two went to elementary school together, Mac in an adaptive class, and Nate remembers seeing some kid picking on her in the schoolyard. “She couldn’t stand up for herself, and that’s when I kind of realized I had to step up as her brother.”

So, Nate smushed the bully up against a fence — and landed in the principal’s office. No regrets, “but after that I learned how to handle it with words, to explain things.

“There are times I wish she was neurotypical, but honestly I’m fine with how she is. I love my sister no matter what. I don’t really care that she has Down syndrome.”

So many memories, these two.

Their duet of the Taylor Swift hit 22 at a big family talent show.

Everything will be alright if;

You keep me next to you;

Touring Riverdale Farm as toddlers.

Road trips, just the two of them, after Nate got his licence, Bruno Mars blaring on the radio and Mac shimmying and shaking in the passenger seat. “I loved looking over and seeing her so happy,” says Nate.

Hitting a dance club on a family trip to Mexico.

Learning to make Caesar salads. (They’re working up to grilled cheese sandwiches.)

Graduating high school on the same day — Mac from an adaptive program — and whooping it up in their gowns.

Their daily coffee ritual. A reminder text from Mac every night. Then coffee — both with milk — in the morning. “That’s her big thing,” says Nate. “It’ll be a little weird not having coffee with her every morning.”

There are years of Variety Village memories, too. Mackenzie is a regular in the Sunshine pool, has competed in Special Olympics meets and has just joined the adaptive synchro swim team.

She’s part of the Wicked Wednesday and Funky Friday social activity programs geared to young adults with Down syndrome, autism and the like. Nate is a staffer on both.

“And sometimes we come here just to hang out, swim, walk laps,” he says.

The Village, of course, will still be there when Nate, who’s considering a teaching career, makes his way in the world.

“I know you’ll be in a good place,” Nate tells his sister, as the Village bustles around us. “I know all the people here. I know it’s a great atmosphere, so I know you’re going to be fine.”

Nate turns to me. “Mackenzie is going to be just fine.”

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HOW TO HELP

Variety Village is an oasis of sanity in a world not always kind to kids — and kids grown up — with disabilities. It teems with members like Mac. It is staffed by people like her brother Nate. The iconic Scarborough sports centre depends on donors like these kind souls who recently gave to my Sun Christmas Fund for Variety Village. The mail strike continues to be a hurdle, but you can donate direct at www.sunchristmasfund.ca or call the Village at 416-699-7167.

Mark Toljagic, Toronto, $100;

Bruce and Barb Dillon, Bowmanville, $100;

Marilyn Green, Mississauga, $50;

Neil Scott, Etobicoke, $100;

Steven Campbell, Etobicoke, $100;

Clemence Kurcz, Niagara Falls, $25;

Doug Snow, Scarborough, $50;

Jon and Monica Mitchell, Brooklin, $100;

Brian Gonzales, Scarborough, $75;

Anonymous, $100;

Dennis Reinsborough, Scarborough, $50;

Anonymous, $25;

Anonymous, $150, in memory of Jay;

Dieter Gembus, Brampton, $250;

Sheldon Rajesky, Toronto, $300;

Anonymous, $50;

Glen Farr, Toronto, $25;

Simon Beck, Toronto, $100;

May Ballantyne, Oshawa, $25;

Paul Reynolds, Burlington, $100;

Bella and Jeff Prue, Oshawa, $100, in honour of Bella and PJ Prue;

Michael Higgs, Brampton, $1,000;

Joe Francella, Toronto, $25;

Anonymous, $75;

T. Robert Hambley, Toronto, $500;

Ben Scholes, Toronto, $200, in honour of Royal Lepage clients;

Norman Burnham, Scarborough, $100;

Douglas and Marie Milne, Scarborough, $100;

Jacqulyn Bester, Toronto, $25;

Capt. Bill and The Hawley Crew, Toronto, $100;

Patricia and David Lloyd, Toronto, $100, in memory of Bill Lloyd;

H. Kane, Toronto, $30;

Greg and Lisa Pinkney, Toronto, $500;

Larry Brown, Oakville, $250;

Mr. and Mrs. Castle, Oakville, $100;

Reid and Dianne Brown, Burlington, $100.

TOTAL: $5,180.

TOTAL TO DATE: $60,890.

northchannelmike@gmail.com