Buddy Walk 2008

It is Buddy Walk time again--Yippee!!!

We really enjoy participating in the Down Syndrome Network Oregon Buddy Walk. It is a great group of people and they do a lot of good work in the community, including providing Welcome Baskets for new parents. These baskets are filled with goodies and resources that give new parents an uplifting and humorous look at what life is really like raising a child with Down Syndrome.

The Buddy Walk was established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.

The Buddy Walk has three primary goals:
1. To promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome;
2. To raise funds locally and nationally for education, research and advocacy programs; and
3. To enhance the position of the Down syndrome community, enabling us to positively influence local and national policy and practice.

Additional Buddy Walk Facts

• The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 250 in 2005 across the country and around the world.



• At least 250,000 people are expected to participate in more than 260 Buddy Walks this year.



• Since 1995, more than 1,500,000 people have participated in the Buddy Walk program.



• Last year alone, the Buddy Walk raised more than $5.5 million to benefit national education, research and advocacy initiatives, as well as local programs and services.



• The Buddy Walk program is supported at the national level by the National Down Syndrome Society. Local Buddy Walks are organized by parent support groups, schools, and other interested organizations and individuals.



• Most Buddy Walks take place from September through November, to recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October.



• John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Perry Cox in the hit NBC show Scrubs, is the 2008 National Buddy Walk Spokesman. Mr. McGinley is both an accomplished actor and the proud father of Max, his 11 year-old son who has Down syndrome.



• Anyone who wants to support acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome can participate in the Buddy Walk.

This year, fortunately, was not a repeat of last year's torrential downpour. It was actually warm and overcast, but not wet. Chris Burke, the young man who played Corky in "Life Goes On" sang with his musical group and there was a raffle (Kirk's favorite). There were several hundred people there and it's just a lot of fun.

Suzanne was so cute. She's old enough now that she didn't have to stay in her stroller and could mosey around with the rest of the kids. She really enjoyed the band and danced around with all the other little girls. Kirk had a great time running around and was having a great time right up to the point where he collided with a bigger boy and bonked his head on a tree trunk. He then proceeded to have a little melt down, which coincided with the end of the event. We piled into the car and took the long way home so that Suzanne would have a little nap. Quite a smashing day, eh?

Right this minute, however, she is running around with 5 or 6 pairs of Greg's underwear on her head. Don't panic, she pulled them out of the dryer, ergo they are clean. It's just that the visual is a little disconcerting. When you are pregnant and dreaming about the wonderful life that your daughter will have, running around with underwear on her head is not really a picture that comes to mind. I wonder if Miss America started out this way...

We are off to the Post Office--Aunt Susan is out of Mary Kay Anti-Aging Moisturizer (shameless product plug) and fears that her face will "crink up" without it. As her YOUNGER sister, this I would really like to see!