In some way or another, all of us are connected to Down syndrome. Someone in our family may have been born with it. Perhaps we were lucky enough to know someone who has Down syndrome.
Down syndrome is a genetic condition in which a person has 47 chromosomes instead of the usual 46, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The condition can slow physical development and delay mental and social development.
On Saturday, Sept. 10, Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona is holding the 12th Annual Walk for Down Syndrome (formerly the Buddy Walk) at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The event will celebrate those with Down syndrome, build awareness and raise funds to help the nonprofit organization continue support services to families, communities and medical staff.
Registration for the event begins at 7:30am; the walk begins at 9:30am. Post-walk activities, which continue until 11:30am, will include bouncers, rock wall climbing, carnival games, dancing to the music of DJ Ron and a chance to meet Dora the Explorer and Sponge Bob Squarepants.
Register your team and/or donate at sharingds.org. You can also nominate an Outstanding Citizen with Down syndrome and/or an Outstanding Service Provider.
Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona offers monthly educational meetings in English and Spanish, hosts new-parent gatherings and delivers new-parent support packages. Information packets are provided to social workers at the Valley’s birthing hospitals and volunteers work to educate the medical community about the importance of delivering the diagnosis to parents in a positive manner. For more information, call 480-926-6500 or visit sharingds.org.
- Jordan Taffet
