When Chris Burke was born in 1965 with Down syndrome, his parents, Frank and Marian Burke, were advised to institionalize him. They opted to raise him at home along with three older siblings, who worked with the parents to nurture Chris’s talents.  

Public schools at that time were not mainstreaming students with disabilities into general classrooms, so Chris attended a boarding school. There, he decided he wanted to be a tap dancer, but DS interferred so he set his sights on being an actor. He attended night school, went to auditions, and studied script writing. After graduating in 1985, he worked as an elevator operator and did volunteer work.   

Chris’s first acting opportunity came in an ABC movie, Desperate. Studio executives were impressed and created Life Goes On, a weekly series with Chris as the main character, Corky Thatcher. The program propelled Chris to wide recognition. He later made appearances on Touched By Angel as an angel with DS who gives hope to invalids and the handicapped.

Today, Chris plays and sings with The Chris Burke Band, along with twin friends Joe and John DeMasi. They have released albums and have appeared on television performing their signature song, "Celebrate."

Chris gives inspirational speeches as Goodwill Ambasssador for the National Down Syndrome Association. At an appearance in 2008, my granddaughter Sarah met Chris and, while not initially impressed, he managed to cajole her into being friends and singing a duet with him.