Businessman Takes 90% Salary Cut To Take His Down's Syndrome Daughter Around The World
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2/14 John, Vicky and stepmum Gerry stand in front of the famous Hollywood sign in LA in 2006. -
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3/14 Pictured, the pair on holiday together in Tenerife.
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4/14 Vicky Silk at Seaworld, San Diego in 2006.
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5/14 Vicky pictured with a tiger in Thailand in 2011.
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6/14 Vicky achieved one of her dreams in 2007 when she swam with dolphins in Mexico.
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7/14 Vicky enjoying a Holi Festival-style event in the UK.
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8/14 Vicky and her family meet Mary Poppins and Burt at Disney World, Florida.
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9/14 John, Vicky and Gerry have been making the most of their time together going scubadiving in Oman in 2009.
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10/14 Vicky receiving a gift from Santa Claus in Lapland.
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11/14 John and Vicky in a Submarine in Barbados in 2009.
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12/14 The family enjoy pool life in Sardinia in 2008.
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13/14 Vicky map reads on a cycling trip around Lake Garda, Italy with her father.
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14/14 Vicky in her bedroom which she has decorated with aeroplanes representing each of the trips she has made.
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A Porsche-driving businessman has swapped his high-flying career for odd jobs so that he has enough time to show his terminally ill daughter the world.
John Silk, 55, from South London, who owned an employment agency, dropped his salary by 90 per cent after getting a job as a school bus assistant so he could see Vicky every day - and he says he has never been happier.
Vicky, 22, who was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome as a baby and has heart problems, was given a life expectancy of just 15 years when she was eight months old.
In 14 years Vicky, who surpassed her life expectancy by seven years, has been on 24 trips and seen about 15 countries.
'I got a job on the bus so I could see her every day. When she'd see me in the mornings she'd run down the road calling out to me then give me a hug.'
After taking on lower-paid jobs, the couple then learned money-saving tips, including cutting out coupons to pay for the supermarket shop and going without new clothes, so they could save up to treat Vicky.
'I wanted to show Vicky the world,' said Mr Silk.
'All I wanted was to see her smile and gasp in amazement. So every penny I earn now pays for a holiday for her.
'We couldn't be happier. Vicky has taught me what life is about.'
NZME.
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