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Raising Money, But Also Bonding ; Down Syndrome Walk Is First for Bergen
By: JOHN A. GAVIN, STAFF WRITER
Source: The Record, Bergen County, NJ
10/02/2005

WYCKOFF - At this time last year, Ivy Payne had never heard of the Buddy Walk, an event developed 10 years ago by the National Down Syndrome Society.

But on Saturday, she was pushing, Bryan, her bubbly 10-month-old baby, in a stroller for a one-mile jaunt to promote awareness of the genetic disorder.

Payne was one of scores of moms and dads, friends, co-workers and relatives who participated in Bergen County's inaugural Buddy Walk in Wyckoff Community Park.

Like other parents at the walk-a-thon, she was there to promote acceptance, network with peers and raise money for research and education programs.

"It's important to raise an awareness and show the various types of Down syndrome," said Payne, of Hillburn, N.Y., in Rockland County. "The more research, the better for the kids."

When Payne was pregnant, she had no idea her baby would be born with Down syndrome. That's true of many parents.

Christine Hourihan, whose 16-month-old son, Billy, has Down syndrome, decided to help organize the walk after attending a similar event in South Plainfield last year.

"We thought Bergen County desperately needed to start one here," said Hourihan, who lives in Wyckoff.

Nationally, there were 17 walks in 1995. Now there are more than 225.

More than 200,000 people from coast to coast participated in 2004.

A key to the event's success will be continued support from people such as Debbie and Joe Guastella of Ramsey.

As the Guastellas pushed their 21-year-old son, Adam Larson, who is autistic, in his wheelchair over footbridges, parking lots and paths, they said they wanted to emphasize the importance of realizing the potential of all people with special needs.

"When you have kids with special needs, you know [other parents] are experiencing the same thing," Joe Guastella said. "You come out to have your kid recognized like everybody else."

E-mail: gavin@northjersey.com

(C) 2005 The Record, Bergen County, NJ. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved

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