Sometimes people are faced with severe genetic obstacles which seem impossible to overcome. Thought I reshare some ideas about how my second cousin accomplished extraordinary things with severe DS!
Frankie’s Story: accomplishment personified is a book about Frankie Scarfone - a real life “karate kid” of the highest order. He is a fourth degree black belt inductee in the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame as a tae kwon do master – along side such greats as Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee. Frank is also a past special Olympian, a keyboard virtuoso, a guitar player, choir singer, altar server, teacher’s aide, counselor and more. He also teaches matial arts to Autistic children.By the way, Frankie also has Down syndrome. His parents were given little hope that their son could have an even remotely normal life.
Dorothy and Frank Scarfone were once told by health care providers that their son could be a “vegetable,” with an IQ of less than 50. It was common in those days to place profoundly impacted Down Syndrome patients into state homes. What if Frankie’s parents had decided to follow suit? Dot and Frank, in agreement with their pediatrician, chose a different approach.
Frankie’s successes go far beyond his disabilities - he is an inspiration for anyone who has challenges and obstacles to overcome and for those who just want to be successful at anything, anywhere, at any time.
Parental Commitment, Innovation and Love
Frankie’s Story: accomplishment personified is about parental commitment, creativity, innovation and love, the importance of having a social support group and about ways that special teachers can teach special kids in ways which may help others with disabilities – regardless of diagnosis.
I had not seen Frankie’s mom, my cousin Dorothy, for a while, and decided to stop by for a visit. Since she had had some work done on her front porch, I proceeded to walk around the house to use the back porch door. Suddenly, I started to get tense. My God, little Frankie was now very much grown up and a fourth degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and I’m walking around his mom’s back yard unannounced – what could he do if he didn’t recognize this intruder walking on his mom’s property? Even though he was always an even tempered and kind soul, the thought of what he was capable of instantly gave me the utmost respect for Frankie.
As I got to reacquaint myself with Frankie, I began to have the utmost respect for not only his confidence and accomplishments, but for his kind and gentle ways. I felt as though I was in the presence of an ancient Zen Master or Shaolin Priest who had “come back” for a special spiritual initiation – to master the most difficult of challenges from within a most compromised body with a nervous system that was only partly functional.
How in God’s name could my second cousin with Down Syndrome memorize the more than 400 moves necessary to be a fourth degree Karate Master? My background in biomedical systems, neuroscience, psychology, and engineering, caused my respect for Frankie to rapidly turn to include scientific curiosity. Does Frankie’s story hold some keys to the Rosetta stone of success - things that everyone can learn from? You bet it does! Are there significant implications for the art and science of medicine and psychology? Yes!
Psychological and Neurobiological Observations
For one thing, I was intrigued by the fact that his facial expressions would change so drastically while demonstrating karate or playing music that it was like being with a different person – one without Down syndrome. His speech inflection, tone and power would dramatically morph into a communication system capable of clearly reflecting his inner spirit. I wondered if the pleasure associated with that special smile when he is accomplishing difficult tasks has something to do with increaseddopamine production - much like a Parkinsonian patient given a substantia nigra pars compacta graft of some sort to increase dopamine production. Interestingly, DS patients have been found to be low in serum dopamine levels. The broad based medical implications relating to pleasure, fun, accomplishment, music and math are astounding. Extrinsic motivation and encouragement were also very important and instrumental in Frankie’s success.
Frankie’s mom, Dorothy Scarfone, of Harrison, N.Y. and his dad, the late Frank Scarfone, Sr. surely had lots to do with their special son’s success. They never gave up on him. Their combination of encouragement, discipline and creativity did much to make their special child even more special.
They would label everything in the house to help him learn about his environment. Their encouragement to pursue his natural inclinations towards music and sports, were reinforced, by Frankie’s grandfather and his father as well.
Did Frankie’s mirror neuron system “choose” to mimic successful traits, from high status individuals - his parents - that have lots to do with his survival? You bet.
The intricacies of mastering karate surely improved both memory function and spatial cordination in Frankie as well.
As I interviewed his Tae Kwon do masters, Rico Dos Anjos and Ron Belmont, as well as his music therapist, Sia Tofano, it became apparent that Frankie had not only rewired his brain, he programmed his entire nervous system – and his very special teachers helped him to help himself.
Ron, his first and former karate master reinforced the importance of social supportand of the broad network of friends that Frankie developed over the years. He told me about the young man’s positive attitude, determination and patience. Their special, long time bond, started when Frankie was 10 years old. The pride in his former student’s accomplishments was genuine and heartwarming.
Rico, a former IBM executive and professional basketball player, with a background in financial management, is also a professor – so he has much experience with successful people. He informed me that Frankie was extra special indeed and that we can certainly learn many things from him. I certainly did!
Rico tells us that as a natural leader, Frankie never gives up. Tenacity is paramount to success and discipline is key to accomplishment. His tells us further that Frankie’s memory is uncanny. He can remember the most intricate of details with amazing accuracy like he was a computer.
Sia, his music therapist, included a special emphasis on facilitating fun. Hercreative custom made flash cards and interesting games were partially reinforcedby their playing of duets on the piano and by letting Frankie pick out music that he liked, including everything from Beatles music to musical sound tracks.
By the way, Frankie can read music and has even written some of his own songs!
Dorothy Scarfone has had a life long dream of providing hope and encouragement for parents of children with special needs. Frankie’s Story: Accomplishment personified has been written to fulfill that goal. Scientific views have been integrated with anecdotal information to add additional depth and support to the message of hope.
The implications for evaluation and future study are enormous.
Led to a series of books
Frankie's story led to the development of a series of books on tolerance, diversity, wellness, stress, responsibility, school behavior and more - available at your favorite bookseller.
Schools and other organizations interested in bulk rates may contact Dorothy directly at: fscarfone@optimum.net
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