THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 11, 1996 TAG: 9610100156
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: COVER STORY
SOURCE: BY PAM STARR, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 58 lines
Dr. Thomas Montgomery is the kind of pediatrician that parents of children with disabilities, especially Down syndrome, treasure.
As director of developmental disabilities at Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters and Eastern Virginia Medical School, Montgomery runs a clinic for children with Down syndrome. The parents love him because he sees their children as children first.
``Many people have horror stories about other doctors but he really listens to us,'' said Joan Blind, whose daughter, Katie, is one of Montgomery's patients. ``He's very much in tune, easy to talk to.
``He's a lifesaver - someone you can confide in and trust,'' she added. ``He's a friend to the children and to the parents.''
Blind has been so impressed with Montgomery that she nominated him for an award from the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). The NDSC agreed with her assessment and recently gave Montgomery the President's Award for his outstanding achievements in advocating for children with Down syndrome.
``I'm quite honored by the award,'' said a humble Montgomery, who retired from the Navy as a doctor in 1991 and began working for CHKD.
Montgomery is on the advisory board of the Tidewater Down Syndrome Association and is involved with the Down Syndrome Medical Interest Group. He travels to Russia three times a year on a grant from the American International Health Alliance to set up and teach Russian physicians about developmental follow-ups for premature babies.
It was on one of those medical forays that he stumbled upon the Down Syndrome Association of Moscow, a group founded by Sergei and Maria Koloskov in 1993. In Russia, most children with Down syndrome are placed in institutions at birth and stay there. No attempts are made to educate them.
The Koloskovs, whose daughter was born with Down syndrome seven years ago, established educational programs and a theater group. Montgomery works with the association on the side when he visits Russia. Since he met the Koloskovs, the situation has improved somewhat for people with the birth defect.
``The minister of health in Moscow has recognized that this is a serious medical issue and recommends improvement in education among physicians,'' Montgomery said. ``And Koloskov has been successful in adopting out children in the institutions.''
Because of Montgomery's work in Russia, the Tidewater Down Syndrome Association began a project last year called ``To Russia With Love.'' The group translated its new parents video into Russian and has translated educational literature as well. The group's posters will be translated, too, if more funds can be raised. MEMO: If you would like to donate, make a check payable to the Tidewater
Down Syndrome Association and indicate that you want the money to go to
the ``To Russia With Love'' program. Mail it to Joan Blind, 5221 Dundee
Lane, Virginia Beach, Va. 23464. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Parents love Dr. Thomas Montgomery because he he sees their children
as children first. by CNB