Broadview native’s book brings smiles to local charity 

by Emily Canning-Dean 

Sales from Thomas Majka’s book, Lindsay Smiles, have already benefited individuals with Down Syndrome and their families, but the author and Broadview Heights native is taking measures to keep this good work going. 

Lindsay Smiles was released at the end of 2023 and is a book about the Smiles family moving back to the town where the whole family was born. Mr. Smiles is starting a new job, and Lindsay Smiles, who was born with Down Syndrome, is starting school. The sadness of saying goodbye to her friends is being replaced with the excitement of her new house, new friends and new school. 

“Back in 1986, my daughter Lindsay was born with Down Syndrome and a congenital heart defect. She passed away eight months later,” Majka said. “I’ve always wanted to tell a story in her memory and it took me quite a few years, but I dedicated a time and put together the children’s book dedicated to her with a nice message to always keep smiling because it makes you and those around you feel better.” 

Majka always knew he wanted the proceeds of his book to benefit organizations that helped people with Down Syndrome and he discovered the Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio. 

“I got involved with DSANEO through some friendships I have made and we got together and worked with them and some local businesses to put together some fundraising events that have worked very well,” he said. “I got more involved and I’m now a member of their board of directors.” 

Majka said DSANEO provides a host of programs and services to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down Syndrome in northeast Ohio and their families. To help them further, Majka has founded the Lindsay Smiles Foundation which is a 501c3 nonprofit that will serve as a fundraising and volunteer arm of DSANEO.

“Right now I am working on building the website lindsaysmiles.org,” he said. “That should be completed by mid-March and it will include a link where people can donate and will also have information about how to become a volunteer.” 

Majka said the organization is already planning its inaugural golf outing Aug. 22 which will be in memory of Lindsay. 

Sometime in the future, Majka said he hopes to write a sequel to Lindsay Smiles. 

 “Lindsay is 10 years old in this original book and down the road, I hope to write another book about Lindsay as a young adult after she has already gone through middle school and high school,” he said. “So many people with Down Syndrome do lead productive lives. Some go to college and some have jobs, so this book will show the next step of how she’s developed into a young adult.” Majka said his book can be found at Amazon.com. For more information about DSANEO visit dsaneo.org. 

Photo caption: Thomas Majka’s book benefits individuals with Down Syndrome. Photo submitted.