« Back to Listing

Germantown Faces Help Light Up Times Square
By: Jawanda B Mast Special to Germantown Appeal Jawanda B. Mast Special to Germantown Appeal
Source: The Commercial Appeal Memphis, TN
09/29/2005

Stella Edwards, John T. Farley, Laurie Hobson, Braden Russell and McKinnon Fratta, all of Germantown, appeared in lights on Broadway on Sunday , as part of the National Down Syndrome Society's (NDSS) video production.

The video production was used to demonstrate that people with Down syndrome can be successfully included in community activities, education, and employment.

The photos of the children, who have Down syndrome, were selected from nearly 2,000 entries in the NDSS nationwide call for photos. About 250 photographs appeared in a video production shown on the larger-than-life NBC Astrovision by Panasonic in the heart of Times Square. Panasonic donated 40 minutes on the Times Square Astrovision in honor of October as National Down Syndrome Awareness month.

The video kicks off National Down Syndrome Awareness Month and more than 230 Buddy Walks across the country. The Mid-South Buddy Walk, sponsored by the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South (DSAM) in conjunction with the NDSS, will be Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Memphis Botanic Garden.

Meanwhile, the pictures of these Germantown children and youths feature them participating in everyday activities. The individuals range from 2 to 20 years of age. Though their parents have many different needs and goals, they all come together to give support to one another and work toward similar objectives.

Stella, 2, appears with her sister Lilly while they play "restaurant." Stella is the daughter of Alyson and Aaron Edwards. Alyson became involved in the Down Syndrome Association when Stella was about 4 months old. "I needed another way to network with parents who had and were experiencing the same things I was experiencing as the mother of a child with Down syndrome."

Shortly after she became involved, she volunteered to work on the Buddy Walk committee and became the team recruitment chair. She had never been to a Buddy Walk.

"I was so nervous on the day of the Buddy Walk because I really didn't know what to expect," said Alyson Edwards. "But, it was the most amazing and overwhelming day to see over 2,000 people all in one place supporting and celebrating our children."

Gina and Chip Russell are the parents of Braden Russell, 8, who is featured in the video in a ski jacket with his brother Owen. Gina served as chair of the Buddy Walk from 2001 to 2003. Under her leadership, the walk grew from 300 people to more than 1,200. Her husband, Chip, is a charter board member for the organization.

McKinnon Fratta, 3, is the daughter of Michael and Aggie Fratta. Aggie has served on the Buddy Walk committee for two years and serves as one of the public awareness chairs for the DSAM.

John T. Farley, 20, a senior at Germantown High School, and Laurie Hobson, 20, a senior at Houston High School, went to Laurie's junior prom.

John T. is the son of Brenda and Jerry Farley, and Laurie is the daughter of Martine Hobson of Germantown and Lee Hobson. Brenda Hobson coordinates the DSAM performing arts troupe.

Martine Hobson serves as corresponding secretary for the organization and was recently elected to the National Down Syndrome Congress board of directors. She is also on this year's Buddy Walk committee.

Martine has been involved with the Buddy Walk since it began eight years ago. "We started with 60 people and this year we will have over 2,500 participants."

The Edwardses, Farleys, Hobsons, Frattas and Russells all have a different story. However, they are steadfast in their resolve and efforts to raise community awareness of individuals with Down syndrome. These families believe that through events like the Buddy Walk the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-South will be better able to address the long-term goals of the organization. Those goals include continued opportunities for children with Down syndrome to be educated in regular classroom settings, and assistance in securing meaningful employment and independent housing.

Jawanda B. Mast is the chair of Buddy Walk 2005.

--------------------

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. Pre-walk 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, please contact the Down Syndrome Association at 541-5155 or e-mail dsaminfo@yahoo.com .

--------------------

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

« Back to Listing