Kailua baby is symbol of health
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — A photo of little Luke Tobias of Kailua will appear along with 199 others today at Times Square, lighting the way to education and awareness about Down Syndrome.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
The photos, selected from 1,000 entries, will appear on the NBC Astrovision in the heart of Times Square as part of the National Down Syndrome Society's awareness campaign.
Luke Tobias, 11 months, with father Leland Tobias, is one of 200 children with Down Syndrome whose photos will appear on the NBC Astrovision screen at Times Square.
Parents Tracy and Leland Tobias said broadcasting the photograph will help promote awareness of the condition. They want people to know more about their baby.
"I was uneducated and unaware until I had Luke," said Tracy Tobias, who hopes to dispel misinformation people have about the genetic disorder, such as the idea that people affected by it cannot do much.
Down Syndrome is the second-leading cause of mental retardation, occurring in one of every 600 to 1,000 live births when an extra chromosome is present. Some children also suffer physical ailments, including heart, respiratory, hearing and sight problems.
With training and support, people with Down Syndrome have gone to college, held jobs and lived independently, Tobias said, adding that they're slower but can do many things.
She said she had been encouraging questions about Down Syndrome since Luke was born less than a year ago. His birth announcement contained a note about his condition that read: "At first we were sad and broken-hearted. We cried and wished Luke didn't have DS. But Luke is beautiful, healthy, responsive and full of life. It's so easy to love a little baby. ... Please treat him as you would any other child and feel free to ask us any questions about him."
The response was heartwarming, she said.
Since he was 2 months old, Luke and his parents have been attending a school sponsored by Easter Seals, where they get instructions and early intervention to improve his motor and language skills, among other things.
Great strides have been made toward the understanding of Down Syndrome and preparing people who have it to lead productive lives, said Connie Smith, who started a support group for Hawai'i parents in 1985.
Like the general population, people with Down Syndrome have varying degrees of capability.
"It's important for people to know some of these kids can be worthwhile members of the community," Smith said, "and not just a burden to society."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
