As a mother of a young man who was born with Down syndrome, I was so happy to read in the Feb. 23 Hawaii Catholic Herald about delightful little Lucas Warren, the “Gerber spokesbaby” for 2018. Wonderful! It is about time that they are treated normally.
I have to admit that I was in pain when my Joseph was born. I wasn’t told before, but because of my age I just knew. I prayed and prayed for his healing — for a miracle. God answered my prayers in a pretty short time. I was blessed with peace. I could actually feel it pour over me and I realized that Joe didn’t need to be healed; I did.
God wanted me to do so much. In Kona, an infant stimulation program taught us how to move our children up in life. We spoke in schools holding our babies to ask for donations to charities supporting the different organizations.
We moved to Hilo and Joe entered the Easter Seals Infant Stimulation Program. They ran out of money. We created Parent Power and wrote letters to the federal and state governments and lobbied at the State Legislature. We all worked on training our children, sometimes bringing Joe’s brothers along and they worked with him, too.
A few months after Bishop Frances DiLorenzo came, I presented him with a brief for a plan for a persons with disabilities program. Based on his experience in Pennsylvania, he created a program within the Office for Social Ministry supervised by Carol Ignacio. Father Marvin Samiano and I were named co-chairs of the Persons with Disabilities Committee with many wonderful people as members.
Joseph has accomplished so much. He has worked at a part-time job for 22 years. He has acted, danced and entertained with P.A.L.S. (Performing Artists Lengthening Strides), a group of teenaged and a little older people with different disabilities who performed in theaters and care homes. He also plays golf for Special Olympics and with his brother and his friends.
He has ministered at St. Joseph Parish, Hilo, for many years, first as an altar server and now as a hospitality minister. As an altar server, he was named a “Parish Treasure.”
I know that people with disabilities behave at different levels, but everyone can be more than expected. You just have to treat them like they are normal.
In 2016, for Joseph’s 40th birthday party, my granddaughter Christina Botello, Joseph’s niece and godchild, wrote him a letter. I asked Joseph and Christina for permission to have it published in the Hawaii Catholic Herald. Both agreed. Isn’t it amazing that someone with Down syndrome could teach about love. Joe’s late father said that and Christina’s words prove it.
Here is the letter:
My dearest Uncle Joe,
Words cannot express how sorry I am that we were not able to make it to your special day. However, I hope that this letter will suffice.
Through the past 22 years you have been in my life, I have learned so much about how to love one another, cherish each moment God gives us, and to be grateful for the things that we already have. Although I wasn’t able to spend a lot of time with you like I wish I could have, each visit with you had a significant impact on my life. To have you as my godfather is just the icing on the cake to the kind of individual you are. Every moment I’m able to spend with you is a blessing to me. Whether it be from your “swifty” Michael Jackson moves or making your grandniece (Maya) laugh, you always make sure I know I’m loved.
Growing up with you in my life has led me to become the teacher I am today. You are proof that every person, no matter what their background may be, can succeed in education. You’ve inspired me to treat everyone I meet with love and compassion since I was just a little girl. To me, you are a continuous reminder of how to love even at the age I am now. Thank you for teaching me to never give up, no matter the obstacles I may face. Without you, I wouldn’t be who I am today. Thank YOU, for being YOU. Enjoy your celebration, it’s all about you! But try not to get too crazy.
Blessings, hugs, and kisses from Texas, Christina
