Little Lucas Becomes The First Ever 'Gerber Baby' With Down Syndrome
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Little Lucas Becomes The First Ever 'Gerber Baby' With Down Syndrome
The sad thing about having a child with a developmental issue is that the parents find themselves worrying about his quality of life. You want your child to be healthy, happy, and confident. But when they have such challenges as Down Syndrome, you become concerned that this may hinder them from reaching their potential.
When Little Lucas was announced as the 2018 ‘Gerber Baby’ it was a welcome news to many, including worried parents of struggling children. It reminded them that anything is possible.
Meet the first Gerber baby with Down syndrome; his name is Lucas! https://t.co/RymRbTeVL9 pic.twitter.com/vYiRLYeHAX
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) February 7, 2018
Lucas is the ‘Gerber Baby’
The brand recently announced its first ‘spokesbaby’ with Down Syndrome. After considering hundreds of thousands of applicants, the baby food brand awarded this year’s honor to 18-month-old Lucas Warren.
Congratulations to our 2018 Gerber Spokesbaby Lucas! Welcome to the family Lucas, send him ????love! #AnythingForBaby
Lucas was diagnosed with the genetic disorder when he was born and even though his parents love him completely, they often worry that the condition might affect how he would be treated. Courtney Warren, his mother, told the Today Show:
My biggest concern always with Lucas was how people were going to treat him. I was always afraid he would be bullied or people would be scared of him.
Courtney said that she submitted her baby’s picture for the Gerber Baby Photo Search "on a whim". Her friend had told her about the social media contest, so the mum posted Lucas’ picture on Instagram with the designated contest hashtag. She was shocked when she found out he was chosen.
Her husband, Jason, said:
We had just walked into the house and we opened the mail and she started screaming. She’s like, ‘He won! He actually won!’
Lucas becomes the first Down Syndrome baby to be selected by the company since the contest began in 2010. He will be featured across all of the brand’s social media pages and will be given a $50,000 prize. His parents plan to invest the money in his education.
The first ever Gerber Baby is 91.
Ann Turner Cook was only 4 months old when she became the first Gerber baby over nine decades ago.
A rough charcoal sketch of her face was done in 1927 by Dorothy Hope Smith who was a friend of Cook’s family. She submitted it after Gerber announced a contest to find the official face for the company.
Her work was unfinished at the time of submission, but Smith promised that she would finish it if she was chosen. She didn’t need to, as the brand not only picked her, but loved the portrait exactly as it was.
The image has been the official trademark of the company since 1931.
What Lucas’ win means to fans.
Since the announcement was made, fans took to Twitter to express their joy that Gerber picked a boy with Down Syndrome. They praised the company and some parents who had kids with the disorder talked about how what this meant to them.
I am a parent of a 2 yr old girl with DS! I am crying tears of joy that a child like my daughter was recognized to be the face of their brand! Congratulations to this beautiful family! Way to go Lucas! pic.twitter.com/a6yZtKBEhF
— L. Walker (@DeLo2) February 7, 2018
I’m so proud to call him my nephew!!!! I’m lucky to be his aunt!!! pic.twitter.com/E3bKmPbSyT
— Kasondra Hale⚡ (@KHale0910) February 7, 2018
He’s adorable! And, that smile!
— Annie M, Annie M! (@degofreak) February 7, 2018
Thank you @GerberLife for making the world a kinder place for my child with #downsyndrome!
— Micha Boyett (@michaboyett) February 7, 2018
pic.twitter.com/XHfjPfRpoV
— Leslie (@blmm317) February 7, 2018
We are not really surprised, though. Who could say no to that adorable face and chubby cheeks? Lucas is a winner for sure.