Buddy Walk to raise funds

By ASHLEY LUTHERN

More than 1,000 people have already registered for the event, organizers said.

BOARDMAN — Area residents are invited to grab a buddy and participate in the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley’s fund-raising walk Aug. 16.

The Buddy Walk, as it’s called, is a chance to promote awareness of Down syndrome — the most common chromosomal birth defect — in the community, said Stephanie Champlin, event organizer and board member of the association.

The half-mile course will start at 10 a.m. at the Boardman Target, circle the Shops at Boardman Park and conclude in the southwest corner parking lot, where food, games and prizes will await participants. People may do more than one lap if they like.

The walk will be led by Chris Burke, an actor who has Down syndrome and has played “Corky” on the television show “Life Goes On” and Taylor on “Touched by an Angel.”

The local group is an affiliate of the national Down Syndrome Society, which started the Buddy Walk in the mid-1990’s. Now nearly 300 nationwide affiliates host a walk each year, Champlin said.

“The national society started it and used the term ‘buddy’ as a positive descriptive word applied to someone with Down syndrome,” said Kelly Donadio, co-founder of the association.

The Down Syndrome Association of the Valley was created a little over one year ago and more than 100 families in five counties have joined since its creation. Educators and medical professionals also have joined, putting the group’s total membership over 200, Donadio said.

A $10 registration fee is required for the Buddy Walk and all of the proceeds will go to the local chapter of the Down syndrome society, she said.

“We bring in medical and legal lecturers to talk to parents about things like the latest medical procedures or estate planning or what educational rights their child is entitled to,” Donadio said, adding the group does not charge a membership fee.

The fund-raising goal of $25,000 for the Buddy Walk has already been met with more than 1,000 people registered, but when one lecture costs an average of $8,000 to $10,000, the money can be spent quickly, she said.

In addition to providing educational information, the group provides a support system as well.

“When you have a special needs child born, it’s like a complete shock to parents,” said Carrie Oravec, an occupational therapy assistant. “They have all these questions like ‘is my child going to walk, talk or ride a bike?’”

Oravec, who is also a former board member for the association, said that it can encourage parents to see how other children with Down syndrome have had success.

“My three-year-old daughter, Ashley, has Down syndrome and she can ride a bike. She runs and she talks a little, too,” she said. “Seeing her can help quiet some of those parents’ fears.”

Eventually, the association would like to have a Down syndrome center and an employment service or living area for people with Down syndrome.

“We want the rest of the community to realize what our kids can grow up and do,” Donadio said. “They can accomplish a lot of things.”

For more information on the Down Syndrome Association of the Valley or to register for the Buddy Walk, visit www.dsav.org.