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Community Buddy Walk Makes Strides Toward Educating Public About Down Syndrome
By: Special to Collierville Appeal Special to Collierville Appeal
Source: The Commercial Appeal Memphis, TN
09/29/2005

Kathryn Huffman wants people to come to the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome Awareness. Kathryn was born into the world of Down syndrome nine years ago when she gave birth to her son Jordan.

Huffman says that her hopes for the eighth annual Mid-South Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome Awareness is for "people to see that there are so many things that are possible for all people with Down syndrome in education, recreation and careers. All things are possible and I want the same things for my son that anyone else does."

Jordan Huffman is a fourth-grader at Tara Oaks Elementary, a Webelo scout in Den 50 and is active in St. Patrick Presbyterian Church. He swims and plays basketball and he feeds his golden retriever Scout every day. Jordan is very social and loves to make people laugh. His favorite thing to do is go to the movies, and he loves a good party.

According to Huffman, "Collierville has been great to us and has been an exceptional place for inclusion for Jordan. Jordan has thrived due to the love and acceptance that our community has bestowed upon us, and I thank God for that. I want to help pass that on to the next family that is blessed with the joy of raising a child with Down syndrome."

The 2005 Buddy Walk will be held on Sunday at Memphis Botanic Garden. Onsite registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. with the opening ceremonies commencing at 1:30. The walk will kick off at 2. This year, local guests will be Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton, Mario Reed and News Channel 3 weatherman Jim Jaggers. Entertainment for the afternoon's festivities will be provided by Radio Disney, Company D, Special Tigers and the Toasted Opus band.

Registration fees are $10 per person up to a family of four ($40) and $5 per family member above the $40. This fee includes a Buddy Walk T-shirt, lunch, entertainment, and door-prize entry privileges.

Some of this year's attractions include the RiverKings Cellular South Slapshot, Grizzlies Shoe Hoop and Street Team, the Brim's Race Car, Rocky Redbird and PD Parrot. There will be something for everyone. Prewalk packet and shirt pickup will be Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Dillard's Oak Court Mall, top north entrance.

The Buddy Walk is presented by International Paper. Radio Disney is the radio sponsor, and supporting sponsors include Sedgwick CMS and Federal Express.

Through the Buddy Walk, families in the Collierville area will be able to connect with other families of individuals with Down syndrome and learn about local resources.

Huffman is helping Jordan fulfill his dreams just like any other mother. "My hope for the Buddy Walk is to educate people about Down syndrome and to connect new parents of children with Down syndrome. I would like for people to know that all people with Down syndrome have hopes and dreams just like everyone else."

For information on the Buddy Walk, contact the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South at 541-5155 . Link to online registration at the Web site dsamemphis.org .

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DSAM Buddy Walk

What: The Mid-South Buddy Walk, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South (DSAM) in conjunction with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)

When: 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday. Onsite registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. with the opening ceremonies commencing at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Memphis Botanic Garden.

Additional info.: Registration fees are $10 per person up to a family of four ($40) and $5 per family member above the $40. The fee includes a Buddy Walk T-shirt, lunch, entertainment, and door prize entry privileges. Prewalk packet and shirt pickup will be on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at the Dillard's - Oak Court Mall, top north entrance. For more information, contact the Down Syndrome Association at 541- 5155 or e-mail dsaminfo@yahoo.com .

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(C) 2005 The Commercial Appeal Memphis, TN. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved

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