 Oct. 13, 2013
BEVERLY BECKHAM
Buddy Walk raises awareness not just money
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Lili Riley, second grader, at the "Pick Me Up" challenge, which helps the kids understand the difficulties some may have with fine motor skills.
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SUDBURY - On Saturday, Oct. 5, Israel Loring Elementary School hosted its second annual "Little Buddy Challenge," a second grade social action project aimed at teaching students to understand, accept and celebrate human differences. Over 100 students participated in this year's project, which focused on encouraging students to use their strengths and abilities to help others, build effective teams and overcome challenges.
Students went through a series of "challenge" events, working together in teams and using individual abilities to complete stations. "It was awesome [and] challenging," said Luke Ohler, 7, a second grader at Loring. "I could tell that it could be hard for some people."
"The community support for this program was exceptional," said Kerri Tabasky, a local parent who came up with the idea for the Little Buddy Challenge two years ago. As the mother of Anna, a kindergarten student with Down syndrome, Tabasky said she feels "confident that this kind of program really benefits the students as well as their parents."
A percentage of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, the state's leading organization for providing information, networking opportunities, and advocacy for and about Down syndrome. Tabasky noted October's status as National Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
Read the full story here.
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Buddy Walkers Take to the Airwaves
Jimmy Carter, a morning host on WCCM 1110 AM, Eagle Radio, broadcast out of Methuen, took time the week before the Buddy Walk to host special guests from the MDSC community. His guests were:
- John Anton, MDSC Advocacy Specialist
- Kerri Tabasky, MDSC Buddy Walk Task Force Co-Chair
- Cynthia Owens, a grandmother to an infant with Down syndrome, and a member of "Grace's A-Team"
- Fran Hogan, John's support staff person
During the wide-ranging discussion, the program covered the history of and expectations for the Buddy Walk & Family Festival and other issues in the Down syndrome community. Hear the program here.
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Big & Small Media Cover Buddy Walk
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Dear Member,
During this historic, record-breaking Buddy Walk season, we can't thank our supporters enough. For the first time ever in our 30 year history, we celebrated three Buddy Walks - including the 3rd Buddy Walk by the Sea on Cape Cod and the 1st Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair in Central Mass.
On Oct. 13, we culminated this remarkable year with our biggest, most storied event of all, our Buddy Walk & Family Festival. For the 17th year, we brought the families and friends of people with Down syndrome together on Wakefield Common to celebrate, connect and care for one another.
As the more than 3,600 gathered that day can attest, our community felt closer than ever. And as we walked for the Real Lives of our loved ones, our Buddy Walk & Family Festival felt as urgent as ever. In total, our three Buddy Walks raised more funds for critical MDSC programs, brought more people together and created more public awareness than ever before.
And we owe it all to you! Whether you were there on Oct. 13 in person or in spirit, we hope you enjoy this look back...
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Star Power
On stage, there was ample star-power, with Fox25 anchor Heather Hegedus, American Idol country singer Ayla Brown, and headliner Rachel Coleman, the creator and star of Signing Time.
There were the amazing jumping dogs of GoTeam21, State Senator Katherine Clark, and even a prerecorded message of encouragement from Chris Evans, otherwise known as Captain America.
Their polished, professional performances kept everyone's eyes glued to the stage.
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Everyday Superstars
Our community's strength is in the power of the masses. That was borne out on stage, where many of the superstars of the day were our friends and neighbors.
Little Anna Tabasky sang along to Alicia Morton's "Tomorrow" from Annie. Self advocate Katie DeVellis spoke eloquently about her time lobbying for disability policy on Capitol Hill.
The dancers from the Boston Ballet's Adaptive Dance program put on a showstopping performance for the second year in a row.
And we congratulated our amazing Award Winners - those top 5 fundraising teams who have been working so hard over these past months, and collectively raised more than 20 percent of the total donations.
See here or below for our video playlist of all these moments and more...
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Heroes Everywhere
Unsung heroes were not just on stage that day; they were everywhere along the shores of Lake Quannapowitt.
They were each of you, our members, people with Down syndrome and their loved ones - the Team Captains, donors, volunteers, walkers, and sponsors (see below for a complete list).
The heroes were all the individuals in our community who came together as one big, loving family.
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Power of the People
As it has been every year since 1997, the heart and soul of our Buddy Walk is the joyous walk around the pristine 3-mile lake.
There's something majestic about that scene of thousands from our community climbing the slope and embarking on a 6,000-step journey, a march toward improving the Real Lives of people with Down syndrome.
Each step allows the MDSC to do what we do best; supporting new and expectant families, educating health care professionals, providing social and leadership development for teens and young adults with Down syndrome, equipping educators with best practices and resources, and creating and influencing legislation affecting people with Down syndrome.
Thank you for joining us on that journey!
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Down Syndrome Awareness - It's Not Just for October Anymore
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Relive the Buddy Walk
Through our Photos and Online Videos
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WHAT MAKES A SUPERHERO? JUST ASK CAPTAIN AMERICA!
We were thrilled to have the support this Down Syndrome Awareness Month of 7 celebrities who have helped us take our message of acceptance and inclusion to the broader public. They are:
- Chris Evans - "Captain America" Star
- Aly Raisman, Olympic Gymnast
- Lauren Potter, "Glee" Actress
- Tiffani Faison, America's Top Chef Contestant
- David Soren, Director of "Turbo" the Movie
- Ayla Brown, Country Singer
- Sarah Wroth, Boston Ballet Dancer
Their brief Public Service Announcements on behalf of the MDSC have been viewed more than 1,500 times and still rising.
Aly Raisman puts it this way in her PSA: "People may think I have superpowers to do what I do. But I want to tell you about some real-life superheroes. There are 250,000 individuals living with Down syndrome in the US today and 5,000 in Massachusetts. While Down syndrome is part of who these people are, it doesn't define them, and it doesn't make them any less valuable. They really are just like you and me."
We want to thank each of these amazing individuals for helping us celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and spread our message of empowerment well beyond the 3,600 people at our Buddy Walk.
View the videos below... and share your favorite with your online networks!
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Today is the last day of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, as declared annually, in this state by Governor Patrick (see his proclamation, right), and across the country. If you were a Team Captain, came to our Buddy Walk, supported a walker, or talked to your friends and co-workers about your loved on with Down syndrome, Thank You! 
