Trash Can Cuisine

Noah lacks an off switch. While he is not overweight, more than half of people with Down Syndrome have thyroid issues, which makes his endless appetite mildly terrifying. The beach trip was no exception.

After a long, sunny day, we capped the evening with a crab feast. Noah hates crab, but he made up for it with a buffet of hot dogs, watermelon, chips, ice cream, and whatever else dared cross his path. I assumed he was full. I was wrong.

Later, I heard strange rustling from his room. I peeked in, Noah stared back from his iPad, innocent as a nun. I left, convinced I had imagined it. Minutes later, more rattling. This time I found him mid-feast: mouth full of mini-Oreos, chips poured directly into his trash can (which he was now eating from), and a sealed bag of cheese curls waiting its turn.

Turns out he had built himself a snack bunker and was just waiting for me to clear the area.