A woman with Down Syndrome and dementia who loves the 80s lit up when her niece’s husband showed up at her 60th birthday party dressed up as her favorite celebrity from the decade, Hulk Hogan, who she immediately remembered.
Kerrin Meyer, from Long Island, New York, has never let Down Syndrome get in the way of her thirst for life, her family said, with Kerrin previously competing in the Special Olympics and loving to dance.
Kerrin is also a fan of all things from the 1980s – specifically the music of Michael Jackson and famed wrestler Hulk Hogan.
After Kerrin was diagnosed with dementia, her family decided they wanted to bring familiar characters back into her life.
And so, before her milestone birthday celebrations, Kerrin’s niece, Regina Albano, 42, started thinking of ways to make her aunt’s day extra special.
Regina’s husband, Jesse, 42, a retired NYPD officer and veteran who loves making people laugh, suggested he would show up at the event dressed as The Hulkster before presenting Kerrin with a Hulk Hogan t-shirt she wanted.
This suggestion, made as a passing joke, was taken seriously by Regina, who purchased her husband a costume and told him he should go through with it.
Jesse is disabled and struggles with pain every day, Regina said, and so impersonating voices and making others laugh brings much joy to his and his family’s lives.
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On April 11, Kerrin headed to her favorite local Olive Garden restaurant for her big celebrations.
Then, as she waited for guests in the waiting area, Kerrin was approached by Jesse, who was dressed as Hogan.
What followed was an incredibly accurate representation of the wrestling star’s mannerisms and voice.
Jesse asked, “Are you a Hulkamania fan, sister?” Kerrin’s eyes immediately widened with joy as, despite her dementia, she was brought back in time and said, “Hulk Hogan!”
A loving Jesse then presented Kerrin with a Hulk Hogan t-shirt, in a beautiful moment Regina captured on video.
She said: “My husband is a retired NYPD officer and a veteran who is disabled and has always loved making people laugh.
“His ability to impersonate voices has brought so much light into our lives.
“Once I told my dad what Jesse and I had planned, he couldn’t wait to show Kerrin – that is why we did it in the waiting area.
“Everyone thought we hired a professional impersonator.
“My family members had no idea my husband was behind the costume and voice.
“My aunt has been crying a lot because of the loss of her parents, my grandparents, and she’s been getting more tired and has lost her hearing.
“To see her eyes light up and recognize a familiar star from her past and say “I love you” was truly the gift that keeps on giving.”