Larry Proctor Supports SARAH, IND

It's been about two years since "the Mayor" of Guilford-otherwise known as Larry Proctor-finished up his work as a stock clerk at a downtown store where many of his neighbors would check in and chat.

For anyone wondering what Larry's been up to in the ensuing months, the answer is: doing good works with SARAH and acting as an Alzheimer disease research volunteer and advocate with Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders (IND) of New Haven.

Born with Down syndrome, Larry's so outgoing and connected with his community, "he's been called the Mayor of Guilford," says his mom Coleen Proctor.

These days, that could be amended to Mayor of New Haven County. Larry's spent the past year visiting New Haven-area groups and public events as an advocate for Alzheimer research at IND, says Barbara Fussell, R.N., director of Clinical Programs, IND Molecular NeuroImaging.

"Larry has been a great advocate of Alzheimer disease research here. Because of the prevalence of Alzheimer disease in adults with Down syndrome as well as in the general population, this very important research will ultimately benefit all of us," she says.

Larry underwent a brain scan to help further IND research, but his personality and enthusiasm led IND to ask Larry to help spread the word about the research. Larry's since participated in several events, even appearing on TV News Channel 8's Connecticut Style show.

"It was awesome," Larry says of being in front of TV cameras. "I loved it. I wore my orange sneakers."

The orange sneakers-Larry's favorite color-do help him stand out in a crowd. If you see someone traversing the town center in flashy orange shoes, you've probably spotted Larry. He might be on his way to services at First Congregational Church or heading over to the Community Center, where he's an "honorary senior citizen," says Coleen.

"He's the man with the orange shoes! We get a lot of comments," says Coleen. "He loves to visit his senior lady friends. Larry's also been made very welcome at First Congregational Church."

It was the welcoming arms of SARAH that brought the Proctors to Guilford when Larry was young.

"We moved here about 40 years ago because of SARAH. We figured a town that welcomed SARAH would welcome Larry," says Coleen.

SARAH became "like a second family to us," says Coleen; Guilford embraced Larry, too.

Larry graduated with the Guilford High School Class of '85. Since graduation, he's been employed by several Guilford cornerstone businesses, from Bishop's Orchards to his last job five years with Page Hardware & Appliance Co.

"The secret of Larry's success is that he's very social. Most people in town know Larry. He's a nice guy who happens to have Down syndrome," says Coleen. "His grandma used to say Larry's skills expand to meet his needs. We've always said, 'Let's assume he can do everything and find out what he can't do.'"

Through the years, the family has continued to support SARAH. Two of Larry's five siblings served as chairperson for SARAH's annual Gala (the first and third) and Coleen chaired the fourth annual SARAH Gala. Larry volunteers with SARAH's Cupboard in Branford and SARAH's endowment offices in Guilford.

"Larry's never missed a Gala and he loves to volunteer with SARAH," says Coleen.

That's for sure-Larry even made his mom swing by to visit SARAH's Cupboard on his way home from his hospital release after open-heart surgery to repair a rupture this summer.

Larry recovered so well that he has returned to his favorite sport, karate. He earned a junior black belt as a young man and is now working toward a black belt at Guilford Kenpo Karate.

"I walk there. I have a green belt right now. I'm moving up to a brown belt," says Larry.

This holiday season, Larry will be back at work on special days at Subway of Guilford, where he's been a cheerful holiday fixture for the past several years.

"He's always asked to come back for Christmas. The owner always tells me, 'It's the holidays; Larry needs to be there.' Larry loves it. He wears his Christmas hat," says Coleen.