In honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Maria Erquiaga, a physicianeer recently spotlighted at Texas A&M’s School of Engineering Medicine (EnMed), shares the heartwarming story of her younger brother, Leo. His vibrant spirit and resilience have been guiding lights in her life and career. Through his health battles and boundless joy, Leo has deeply influenced Erquiaga’s approach to medicine.
Leo’s Story: A Bundle of Joy and Resilience
Leo, the youngest of Erquiaga’s adopted siblings, joined their family after his biological parents realized they couldn’t fully support him. With her biological brother Gabriel already at home, who also has Down syndrome, Erquiaga’s parents felt they could open their hearts to another child with similar needs.
Diagnosed with Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect before birth, Leo faced significant challenges right from the start. After undergoing open-heart surgery as a newborn and spending months connected to monitors, he quickly charmed everyone around him. He became the heartthrob of his pre-K class and something like a little celebrity. His teachers, classmates, and even the older kids all adored him.
At the age of six, Leo was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Even when a simple fist bump required handwashing and sanitizing, he maintained his upbeat personality, facing treatments with unwavering positivity. His bravery and resilience through those difficult years inspired Erquiaga, who witnessed firsthand his determination to recover with a smile.
Leo’s Impacts on Erquiaga’s Life and Career
Leo’s joyful spirit, even through hardship, had a deep impact on Erquiaga. “Leo’s diagnosis came at a time when I was exploring other career paths, but his strength brought me back to medicine,” she shares. “I realized I didn’t just want to solve problems. I wanted to care for the whole human person, like my brother.”
Erquiaga’s growing interest in medicine was cemented after Leo’s diagnosis. Her love for science and desire to save lives pushed her to make a meaningful impact on others, just as Leo had on her.
Leo’s zest for life extends beyond his health challenges. He’s always the first to try new things, meet new people and embrace experiences. Whether he’s playing tetherball with their brother Gabriel or whipping up pancakes (while sneaking spoonfuls of chocolate chips), Leo’s infectious spirit keeps Erquiaga grounded, reminding her to savor life’s little moments even while juggling the pressures of medical school.
Memorable Moments with Leo
Some of Erquiaga’s favorite memories with Leo highlight his lively spirit. For example, when their family was on a gondola ride in Venice, everyone was captivated by the stunning architecture overhead and swaying along with the gondolier’s strokes. Not Leo, though; he spent the entire ride enthusiastically waving and blowing kisses to the strangers on the bridges.
While most of Erquiaga’s siblings, herself included, struggled with child locks until they were old enough to go outside safely, Leo was an escape artist. “My mom kept buying more complicated child locks, but none of them could stop him. She finally hit the limit when a repairman couldn’t open the door to leave after fixing a pipe. After struggling with the lock for five minutes, Leo ran up, introduced himself, and unlocked it in just fifteen seconds,” Erquiaga fondly recalls, “For a child with Down syndrome, often associated with intellectual and motor challenges, Leo’s knack for unlocking anything was beyond impressive!”
Leo’s fascination with weather, especially thunderstorms, once led him to sneak outside during a storm. To Erquiaga’s horror, he picked another lock and slipped into the backyard, where he stood, staring wide-eyed at the pouring rain. “Angrily, I asked him why on Earth he would go outside during such a dangerous storm,” Erquiaga recalls. He grinned and simply replied, ‘Lightning!’” Now, he watches thunderstorms with his face pressed against the living room window, oohing and aahing at every flash.” That’s Leo: finding joy in even the most unexpected places.
Lessons in Empathy
For Erquiaga, Leo’s ability to choose joy, even under challenging circumstances, has taught her a powerful lesson. “Even during his toughest treatments, he was always excited to see people and find something to be happy about,” she shares. “I don’t want to give the impression that Leo is a Pollyanna. He doesn’t ignore or downplay the hard realities he’s faced. Instead of letting them bring him down, he embraces them as badges of honor.”
Leo’s confidence and ability to uplift others have profoundly shaped Erquiaga’s approach to medicine. “I’ve learned that empathy isn’t about having the perfect words to make someone feel better; that’s often impossible. Empathy is making pancakes drowned in maple syrup for a boy whose mouth tastes like metal. It’s singing and dancing to Elsa’s song for hours to distract him from the chemo itch. It may not solve the problem, but it helps me understand.”
Looking Ahead: Caring for the Whole Person
As Erquiaga moves forward in her medical career, she carries forward the lessons Leo has taught her – seeing the whole person, not just the illness. For her, the focus isn’t on “fixing” what someone with Down syndrome may lack, but rather on celebrating the unique gifts they offer.
“My brothers, like many with Down syndrome, have an infectious love of life and incredible gifts, whether choosing joy, communicating openly, or being escape artists, tennis players, and travelers. What I can’t do, they can, and vice versa. It’s vital to recognize each person’s unique gifts regardless of how different or “limited” they may be.”
Leo’s love for life has shown Erquiaga that joy and resilience can transcend any diagnosis, reminding her that patients are more than their conditions. His story isn’t just about overcoming challenges but finding beauty in life, a core value that shapes Erquiaga’s approach to medicine: caring for the whole person with compassion and empathy.
