Justin Mitton, who was born with the genetic disorder Down syndrome, took a shine to Bon Jovi when its first album debuted in the early 1980s. The 39-year-old, who never let his hair grow wildly long like his idols, has played their music every day since.
Every day? Even now?
“Yeah,” he said with little hesitation.
He listens to music on his iPod now. But sometimes he can’t help singing out loud, and he finds meaning in the lyrics — all of which he knows by heart.
It’s my life
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just wanna live while I’m alive.
Mitton, whose family calls him “Bergie,” spoke seriously and with sincerity about his favorite band on a recent night at his sister’s house in Boise. Then someone turned the music on.
His face lit up, and he smiled broadly. Pure joy.
And what did they get for their efforts?
Here's the follow up from The Statesman:
A big dream: Justin Mitton, born with Down syndrome, is a lifelong fan of Bon Jovi. His family hoped to concoct the ultimate 40th birthday surprise: a face-to-face meeting. This week, they let the Statesman tell their story.
Well, the call came. Justin’s sister, Sara Mitton Cox, said she got a Facebook message and a phone call from Jon Bon Jovi’s brother, Matt Bongiovi. He said he heard about Justin from three different people.
“He said, ‘I talked to Jon about it this morning,’ ” she said. “He said he wants to make something happen.” She was asked to bring Justin 90 minutes before the Salt Lake show starts.
Justin’s mother, Susan Mitton, was in tears. “I’m just hysterical. I can’t believe it. My sister said, ‘This is like winning the lottery.’ I said, ‘This is much more exciting than winning the lottery. It’s Jon Bon Jovi.’ ”
What a wonderful story. I hope Matt and Jon can make something special happen for Justin. Bon Jovi play Salt Lake City on March 22.
~ Hath
