David Rutledge

David Wayne Rutledge, 38, died at Port Orchard Care Center in Port Orchard, Washington on September 14, 2000. He was born in Vallejo, California on April 25, 1962, the first child of Wayne and Betty.Even though David was slow to start walking, he managed to get where he wanted to go with great speed. Always curious about, and aware of everything around him, he looked at everything, but seldom made a mess or broke anything. When he was about 4, he was given an old clock and he took it apart, piece by piece. For several years it was impossible to get out of a store without buying him a telephone. Mom tried to avoid any aisle that may have a phone, but David seemed to have a 6th sense about where to locate one, and once he spotted it, he had to have it. At age 10, he had a small phone that talked to him when he pulled the receiver cord. His little sister, Andrea, also liked this phone and would follow him around hoping he would let her play with it. One day David used a pair of scissors to cut the receiver cord and handed the receiver to his sister. Problem solved, and they were both happy.David's first sister, Melinda arrived when he was 4 1/2 years old. He was thrilled to have her. But maybe the novelty wore off because when she was about 10 days old, he sat on her. When he was told he couldn't do that, he accepted her. Over the next year and a half taught her many things, like how to store graham crackers in the floor vents and how to play with his toys. It wasn't long before his sister started watching out for him and would tell Mom or Dad what David was doing that might be wrong. David was his Mom's greatest and best weight control/fitness plan. He was always on the go and had someone - usually Mom - rounding him up. Even at an early age, David was planning his escapes in whatever direction interested him.When the 3rd child in David's family was expected, a decision was made to place him in a residential facility near the familly home in San Diego. A couple years later his Dad was transferred to Bremerton and it was another 2 years before David moved to Washington. During a visit to his folks, they all went camping at Brown Creek Campground and to the amazement of all, he ate 3 or 4 baked trout.David lived at home with his family in Port Orchard for the next few years until KPHA opened some group homes. David was one of the first residents at the Martin Avenue group home. In 1988 David was diagnosed with a cranial AVM. At last we understood what was causing some of David's behavior, why he laid down so often, and why it was hard for him to keep warm.Even with the pain he had, David loved and enjoyed life to the fullest. This was done by having wonderful care providers - former ones and especially his most current ones who are so much more than just care providers - they were part of David's extended family.Let's honor David's life by remembering his laughter, his smiles, and his pain. By not forgetting David's pain, we can perhaps help another who can't verbally tell us something is wrong. With what we have learned from, and about David, maybe we can help someone else get the help needed to make their life easier. Listen carefully for the silent pleas for help and act on them.You touched so many lives, David, and for that we are grateful and thank you.