Gerber Names First Spokesbaby with Down Syndrome: Meet Lucas!

[demmiblue]

Source: People

Gerber has found their 2018 Spokesbaby — and he’s breaking the mold.

After an exhaustive photo search that garnered more than 140,000 entries, 1-year-old Lucas Warren of Dalton, Georgia, has been named this year’s Gerber Baby, it was announced Wednesday on Today. And this year is extra noteworthy: Lucas is the first child with Down syndrome to win the title since the contest began in 2010.

“We’re hoping this will impact everyone — that it will shed a little bit of light on the special needs community and help more individuals with special needs be accepted and not limited,” said dad Jason Warren. “They have the potential to change the world, just like everybody else.”

Read more: http://people.com/babies/gerber-baby-winner-lucas-warren-down-syndrome/

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Link to tweet

[pandr32]

1. What a cutie!

Time to stop making so many people invisible within our culture. The more we see, the more accepting society will be.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. Nicely Said

Our neighbor is a highly functional Down's victim. She was not encouraged or challenged by her family growing up and she could have done SO much more in life had they done so.

She's quite sharp, engaging, and is in my wife's close circle of friends, and because she lives across the street, my wife's most common companion.

My wife has brought out the best in her and they've become super close. I know there are different levels of function, but i agree with you, that the potential is much higher than many people assume, and if we make that visible it will help thousands.

[pandr32]

3. Thank you

I remember walking to school and always seeing a kid with Down's Syndrome watching us go by from his upstairs bedroom window. My brother and I were curious--clearly, that poor kid longed to be with other kids. I wonder what ever became of him--locked away from society--shielding who? Us or him?
Instead of trying to normalize Trump, how about we normalize diversity? I see a tremendous upside.
One of the things I have noticed of many with Down's Syndrome--they smile easily and it is contagious.

[ProfessorGAC]

18. Our Neighbor Is A Pet Whisperer

The pets just follow her around the house when she comes over, which is probably 4 days a week. Like you said, it's contagious.

[pandr32]

20. I am not surprised

Most animals respond well to kind, gentle people. The more we learn about people with Down Syndrome, the more we find that it shouldn't be such a stigmatized disorder.

[erronis]

12. Kudos to your wife and all such people who can embrace

And look outside of what we falsely label normalcy.

We are all different and challenged in different ways. I wish I reached outside of my orbit a bit more.

[iluvtennis]

14. Ditto

[hlthe2b]

4. He is very cute..

[Sophia4]

5. What an utterly lovable baby!

[hibbing]

6. Great! n/t

[democrank]

7. Lucas, just doing his part to help change the world.

Congratulations to Lucas and well done,Gerber.

[Pepsidog]

8. We need more of actions like this and less of Trumpanzee

[bottomofthehill]

9. His smile is amazing

Lucas smile actually brought a smile to my face. He is beautiful.

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. Adorable!

[DesertRat]

11. So adorable!

[magicarpet]

13. Culture scorecard....

Odd how this adds up....

Plus +20 for compassion...

Minus -15 for Fascist hatemongers

[Corvo Bianco]

15. This wakes up my heart in the middle of a superficially frustrating day.

Thank you for posting! And thanks Gerber!

[elmac]

16. I worked for Gerbers many years ago

when they were still family owned. Lived in the "Baby food capital" for years. They are on their third owner now, Nestle. Glad Lucas won the contest, he's a cutie pie.

[Ilsa]

17. What a lovely, happy baby! I hope DeVos doesn't kill

his chance to get an appropriate public education tailored to his needs.

[leftyladyfrommo]

19. Don't come much cuter than Lucas.

I am so glad that some companies are starting to do this. Those Downs kids are so just so cute. And somehow they always seem to grow up to be a blessing to many many people.

[Julian Englis]

21. Gerber named their first baby with Tiny Hands Syndrome. Meet Donald!

He thin, orange skin and a petulant manner.