Santa, aka Craig Blackburn, a young man with Down syndrome who plays Santa, gets a wishlist from Aaron D'Amico, 4, at the annual knights of Columbus council 9933 in Luling. (Photo by Anthony D'Amico) Luling native Craig Blackburn spends much of his weekdays working at the Winn-Dixie across the street from Zephyr Field. He does whatever the store needs--sweeps the entry, bags groceries, rounds up the shopping carts, greets the customers.
The 37-year-old Metairie resident with Down syndrome is also a huge contributor to the community, having traveled the world to advocate for people with special needs.
But during the holiday season, he's Santa.
The son of Pat Ehrle, she and husband Ken have always raised Blackburn to give back. So when Blackburn impersonated the "big fat man with the long white beard" at his grandmother's assisted living center, he was a hit.
When he joined Luling's Knights of Columbus Council 9933, word got out that he had a Santa suit, and he became the yearly Santa at the council's breakfast with Santa.
"Craig has been an inspiration to our council in willingness to give of himself and to keep a positive attitude despite the obstacles in life," Merlin Hymel, Jr. of KC Council 9933, said.
Blackburn said his goals are simple: "To impact the lives of others by advocating for issues that will result in better lives for individuals with special needs. Success is not measured by competing with others, but by each individual living life to their greatest potential."
Blackburn graduated from Hahnville High School, earning a "regular" diploma, meeting all the requirements of the State of Louisiana.
"(It's) something I'm very proud of," his mom said.
Blackburn was in a program called "Rights Without Labels." In May, 2000, Blackburn graduated with his fellow classmates.
"I met all the requirements, never failed a class nor did I have to repeat a grade," Blackburn said.
Now Blackburn volunteers a good portion of time doing work for the community, making it a full circle of sorts.
At three-month's old when he started at the ARC of New Orleans, a service for individuals with developmental challenges. At 3, he began attending St. Charles Parish schools in the special education program, but by age 8, Blackburn entered a regular academic curriculum and began working toward the high school diploma.
Blackburn earned a $1,000 scholarship to attend Nicholls State University in Thibodaux and attended for one semester.
During high school, Blackburn was the classic All-American kid, a member of the ROTC throughout high school who played the saxophone in the band. He managed the football team in middle and high school, earning a letter jacket.
Blackburn received academic awards for math and was on the honor roll. He was selected by the Louisiana American Legion Auxiliary as the outstanding middle school Special Education student. He was cited for his academic performance in a totally inclusive education program. He was twice selected as a Cox Cable Inspirational Student Hero and as a senior, he was voted by his classmates as the male with the most spirit.
Blackburn also found time to have a working career serving at Simpli Sno, McDonald's and as a courtesy clerk for Winn-Dixie, where he has worked for the past 18 years.
But, there's a lot more to Blackburn.
He has served as a motivational speaker since 2004. He travels independently throughout the United States delivering the messages of inclusion, ability and full participation in life for all individuals. In 2009, He delivered his first international speaking message in the Middle East in Doha, Qatar.
Honors, duly deserved, have come Blackburn's way. He was named outstanding altar server at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, earned a first degree black belt in karate, selected as a foreign exchange student in Italy where he had an audience with Pope John Paul II. He was honored to participate in the 1995 Olympic Torch Run as the torch journey went through St. Charles Parish. He is a fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus.
Blackburn represents Down syndrome in a variety of ways. He was selected to participate in the President's Council on Mental Retardation Symposium in Washington, D.C. as a self-advocate.
He has served on the Board of the Down Syndrome Association of greater New Orleans. Since July 2003, he has attended the National Down Syndrome Society or the National Down Syndrome Congress conferences held throughout the United States annually and has presented Youth and Self Advocate workshops.
Blackburn was on the board of directors for Best Buddies of Louisiana, Families Helping Families of Jefferson Parish, People First of Louisiana, Buddy Walk committee member, just a few from his long list of accomplished. He has been approved by the Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD) as a board member and is a member of the NDSS Self-Advocacy Advisory Board.
And he has a full personal life as well. He is engaged to his long-time girlfriend, Heather Hancock and has purchased his own condo through, "A Home of My Own," and now lives independently in Metairie.
Recently, Blackburn and Hancock exchanged vows at a commitment ceremony in St. Thomas. Hancock is a woman with Down syndrome and serves as a motivational speaker. She works as an administrative assistant at the Department of Education in Oklahoma. The duo met 14 years ago at a Down syndrome conference in St. Louis, Missouri.
Blackburn continues to strive relentlessly to advocate for people with special needs.
In 2012, he was named the NDSS Self Advocate of the Year, Champion of Change in D.C. He also completed and earned certification for 100 hours of Hands On Education culinary training in food preparation at Hyatt Hotel in Clearwater Beach, Fla.
Blackburn has visited Congress as an advocate. He met with legislators to successfully advocate for the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act which was signed into law by President Barak Obama in December 2014.
Blackburn is preparing for "Celebrating Down Syndrome" at the annual state conference and celebration in January 2017. His mother and dad will also serve as speakers at the event.
So there is much on the horizon for Blackburn. There are more lives to change, more people to hear his message of acceptance and inclusion. And during Christmas, more smiles to spread on the faces of those wanting some holiday cheer.
"I live and believe that success comes in trying and that everyone has something to contribute," Blackburn said.