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Parents Raise Money for Down Syndrome
By: Greg Stanmar
Source: The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL
10/23/2005

STREATOR - When Drake was born with Down syndrome, his parents naturally became concerned about the medical complications and expense involved.

Now E.J. and Candace Flanigan give thanks each day that fate has given them such a loveable 5-year-old.

To allow other people to learn to love Down syndrome children as much as they do, and to raise money for support programs, the Jaycees are hosting Buddy Walk today in Streator.

The walk kicks off at 1 p.m., rain or shine. T-shirts will be handed out for pledges of $50 or more, and refreshments will be served after the walk. Registration begins at noon at the Lions shelter at the park's south end.

More information is available by calling the Flanigans at (815) 672-8309.

Bloomington's Buddy Walk was two weeks ago.

Last year, 80 people in Streator raised $6,000 in a mile walk through City Park and into the downtown area. About 70 percent of the money is kept for local programs, with the rest going to the National Down Syndrome Society.

"We try to keep the length down so the children can accompany us," said Candace Flanigan. "It's the community exposure that's as important as the money."

Down syndrome is caused by a glitch in a newborn's genetics. About one in 500 births result in the extra chromosome, the cause of which is unknown.

By law, Down syndrome students must be mainstreamed into the general student population as much as possible, but a gentle prodding of school officials is often needed "no matter what school district you live in," Flanigan said.

It doesn't help to live in Illinois where state funding for inclusion "is dead last," she added.

Prodding by a group is more effective than by an individual and for that reason the Livingston County Down's Syndrome Society has set mainstreaming as a priority, along with peer support and physical therapy, said Flanigan.

That organization has identified 20 local families with Down's Syndrome children, most from LaSalle County.

Drake and his father were at a Streator City Council meeting last week to drum up support for the walk, now in its third year.

Though the organization carries the Livingston County name, it is open to all area families with an interest in Down's Syndrome. There is no equivalent organization in LaSalle County.

It doesn't take much exposure, "even for the cold hearted, for some of these misconceptions to fade away," said E.J. Flanigan.

(C) 2005 The Pantagraph Bloomington, IL. via ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved

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