Gene Buonomo

The Enabled Disabled Podcast

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Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes. For professional motorcycle rider Gene Buonomo, it's in the form of his 14 year-old son, Decklan. While Gene can impressively guide a 150mph motorcycle on the country’s top tracks, his strength doesn’t compare to Decklan’s, who lives with down syndrome.

Life has presented challenges for Decklan from the get-go, as he was born with duodenal atresia, a condition affecting only 1 out of every 7,500 babies. Surviving surgery was one thing, but managing Decklan’s down syndrome is a daily challenge for not only Decklan but Gene, who is a single parent to three sons, juggles two jobs and races professionally on the weekends.
The National Down Syndrome Society, or NDSS, was Gene and Decklan’s saving grace, providing them with resources, programs and a community to connect with others fighting the same fight to give children with down syndrome a normal life, helping them land jobs and providing health information to parents.

That is why in his rookie season on the MotoAmerica circuit, Gene will sport the NDSS logo on his leathers, giving thanks, showing support and raising awareness for the society that has saved his family. Decklan will be alongside his dad each weekend of competition, cheering him on as his unofficial racing manager and pit master.

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