Actor Burke doesn't let disability hamper dreams
By KIFLIN TURNER
News Writer
Chris Burke, best known for his portrayal of "Corky" on the television show "Life Goes On," knows about challenges.
"I was challenged from the day I was born," said Burke in a lecture Wednesday night about his experiences with Down syndrome. Many members of the audience were so touched by his words that audible moans of sympathy could be heard throughout the lecture hall.
"When I can't do something, I try harder — this sums up my philosophy of life," Burke said.
He recognized his parents and his family members as the keys to his success.
"My parents and my siblings always did the very best for me — we all worked together," Burke said. "At each step in my life, I had someone there to encourage me."
Burke identified the importance of education for those who have Down syndrome.
"When it came to my education, my mom and dad made sure I had the best," said Burke. He added that those with disabilities should not be the only ones guaranteed an education, but society as a whole needs to be well equipped to accept and include those with disabilities as well.
Remembering his childhood days, Burke pointed out his years growing up in middle and high school as being the most influential in terms of increased awareness and education of disabilities.
"It was becoming a time when college students were becoming more aware of different disabilities," said Burke.
As a young adult, Burke said he witnessed the progression of society's acceptance of disabilities. Burke recalled visits from the Villanova college basketball team to his local high school. Not only were the players making an effort to break down the invisible discriminatory barriers between those who had disabilities and those who did not, but Burke said "more importantly, they gave us a feeling of importance."
"I learned a lot in those years and knew that when I grew up I could pursue my dreams," he said, recalling that his only two goals were to succeed as an actor and to help others who faced the same difficulties as he did during childhood.
"I never gave up on my dream and Hollywood," Burke said in regards to his first goal.
As for reaching his second goal, Burke has become a spokesperson and advocate for people with the disability through his involvement with the National Down's Society as editor-in-chief of "News and Views," the group's news magazine.
"It made me happy to give them my time and love. I learned how to give because I was given so much," said Burke.
Inclusion, or the formal process of integrating those with disabilities into classrooms with those who do not have disabilities, is a program that Burke supports.
"Inclusion in everyday life is our ultimate goal. We must work hard to achieve acceptance," Burke said. Equally important, Burke said that family, friends and society should accept and include those who have disabilities into all social, political and economic circles.
Burke spoke fondly of his experiences with his first job teaching youth with disabilities.
"The best part was that my fellow employees included me and invited me to all social activities. It was great to feel like I was a part of a team," he said. "We're entitled to good jobs with good pay."
Burke has spoken before committees of the Senate and Congress in hopes of receiving equal treatment as functional and active citizens.
"We would rather be taxpayers than tax-dependents," said Burke.
Many college students are able to look beyond disabilities, according to Burke.
"It's amazing to me, when I go to colleges — I am really amazed at the teenagers and college students that do not look at the disabilities, but the abilities," he said.
At the same time, Burke recognized the important role of the students attending colleges like Notre Dame and urged those present at the lecture to take a more active role in acceptance.
"All of you are role models, and I ask you to teach [those with disabilities], accept them and give them a chance to go to school to learn as you are. They need you and you need them, that is what is most important," Burke said.
Burke marched in Clinton's inaugural parade, and in 1994 created a musical trio which has completed three albums. Burke was also nominated for a Golden Globe in 1990, and in 1991 was named as one winner of the "Ten Outstanding Young Americans Award."
"Remember, we can do it. Believe in us as we believe in ourselves, never give up on us and help us do the best we can do," he said.
Awareness Week, Badin Hall and Best Buddies sponsored his speech.
All News Stories for Thursday, March 30, 2000
