Boy With Down Syndrome Saves Two Girls From Drowning And Is Hailed A Hero

Nov 18, 2022 by apost team

Many people think of Down syndrome as a debilitating illness but one young man has proven even those with the disorder can still save lives.

Surfing and water sports are some of the most exhilarating activities that a person can do on vacation. Children love to play in the water, and they often do whenever they're at the beach. The problem is that the water can sometimes be unpredictable. A vicious wave can pop up in a matter of seconds and pull a young person into its heart.

That's what happened in the summer of 2017, when a 10-year-old girl went swimming at Sabaudia Beach with her family in Italy. For just a moment, her guardians probably turned their heads away from her for a split second when disaster struck.

In a short time, a violent current came in and sucked the girl in a strong current. The 10-year-old tried to fight against it but was quickly losing control. While her mother did not see this occurring, another bystander did. That boy's name was Catoia, and he was a 17-year-old teenager who had been swimming since he was 3 years old. Catoia also had some other remarkable attributes.

With his early start in swimming, Catoia had gone on and not only participated in the Special Olympics, but has won medals in the past. This is because Catoia has Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder. However, he did not let that affect his ability in the least to help someone in need, and throwing putting his own safety aside, decided he needed to act. Acting out of bravery, he instinctually set out to save the young girl from drowning.

The 10-year-old girl who got swept up in the waves wasn't the only one in danger that day. Another girl who was 14 years old had also been pulled in by the violent current. Catoia and his father heard the girls scream as they struggled to stay above the water. While it's usually not advisable for bystanders to get involved in such dangerous situations, the father and son knew if they didn’t act quickly, it would herald tragedy for the young girls and their families.

Before any rescue team had arrived to take action, Catoia, confident in his ability to swim, jumped in to help the girls. He had also taken a first aid course, in which he learned how to position her head so that it would remain safely above water. Aided by his father who had also jumped into the water, the duo managed to bring the stricken girls back to shore safely just as the rescue teams arrived.

When Catoia’s heroics were published in his native Italian, he was roundly lauded. Italy's prime minister at the time, Matteo Renzi, made sure that Catoia was recognized for what he did. He announced all of Italy should be proud of the young man, who didn’t let any obstacles stop him from doing what was right. Then sports minister Luca Lotti also presented him with a commemorative plate, medal and award of "Solidarity Champion of Italy." Also honoring Catoia were Luca Pancalli, the president of the Italian Paralympic Committee, and Olympic swimmer Stefano Battistelli.

Despite the attention, Catoia said he hasn't changed and will go back to scouting activities and school, leaving things on an inspirational note by adding it is his abilities, not disabilities, that define him.

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How do you feel about Catoia’s brave act in saving those two girls? Does he remind you of anyone just as inspirational in your life? Let us know and pass this on to them, as well as friends and family, too.