TWINS, MAYBE, BUT TRIPLETS? — Actor Chris Burke, center tries to convince his audience that he’s really a brother to John, left, and Joe, right, DeMasi during a performance at St. Bernard School in Wauwatosa on May 13. (Catholic Herald photos by Sam Lucero)

WAUWATOSA — Even Desmond and Molly Jones would like Chris Burke.

Desmond and Molly, of course, are the stars of the Beatles song “Life Goes On.” It’s the title of the ABC show Burke starred on from 1989 to 1993 as Corky Thatcher. It’s also Burke’s personal theme song – despite the limitations imposed by Down syndrome, life goes on.

Burke and musician friends, Joe and John DeMasi, performed at St. Bernard on Tuesday, May 13, for about 650 students of all ages from St. Bernard, Christ King, and St. Pius X schools. The trio have traveled throughout the country for the past eight years to bring a message of hope and empowerment to young people.

Burke, 37, met the DeMasi twins when they were music counselors at a camp he attended as a young teen. He had always dreamed of being a singer and an actor, and the DeMasis helped start him down that road. Eventually, “we developed something we wanted to do,” Burke said. They try to show children that “it’s not about the disability, it’s the spirit that counts. We all have dreams. My advice to young people is to never give up.” A song called “Yes I Can” on the group’s fourth album, “A World of Kindness,” helps deliver the message.

Burke said his favorite motto is “keep your eyes on the goal and make your dreams come true.” He offered three bits of advice to the audience: Always believe in yourself; always do your best and work your hardest; and never give up on anything you want to do in your life. They were particularly forceful words given his background.

When Burke was born, his parents were told to institutionalize him, that he would never walk, talk, or be able to learn. He was not allowed to attend public schools. He overcame great odds to realize his dream of becoming an actor, where he was able to put his advice into action: In four years on the “Life Goes On” set, Burke was the only cast member for whom production time was not lost due to illness or unpreparedness.

Burke said his faith has always been important to him. He is an usher at his New York City parish, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.

“I really do believe that faith is really important,” he said. “I guess that, to me, I have always believed in God. Faith is very important, but think ‘possible’ too.”

The event was sponsored by The Arc-Wisconsin Disability Association, Inc., and the state Knights of Columbus.