What’s An Extra Chromosome Between Friends?
October is Down Syndrome Awareness month and this past weekend an event took place that brought together the Champaign-Urbana community as well as the University of Illinois community in a way that truly supported it! It was the 5th Annual Buddy Walk. The Buddy Walk was established in 1995 by the National Down Syndrome Society to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.
The Champaign County Down Syndrome Network planned and carried out the event. I was the volunteer coordinator and had a blast not only planning for the event, but also helping out the day of the event. The walk was held at the Champaign County Fairgrounds on Saturday. It started off as a cold morning, but that did not stop anyone from coming, it was packed!! The day was filled with carnival games, balloon animals, bouncy houses, music, dancers, and raffles and was topped off with the walk.
The walk is similar to a Relay for Life style, where teams are formed and each team is supporting and walking for an individual with Down Syndrome. I have been involved with the Down Syndrome Network since I was a freshman and have loved every minute of it. I will be the volunteer coordinator again next year, and I encourage each of you to come out and help that day! We had a great mixture of volunteers from the University of Illinois, particularly from the College of Education, organizations from the college such as Epsilon Delta, an organization I am in that contributed time and members to help, and volunteers from the community as well.
It was a great day for everyone and was just another reminder to me of why I want to become a Special Education teacher. I am waiting to get some pictures and will share them as soon as I have them! In the mean time, check out more about the National Down Syndrome Society at: http://www.ndss.org/ , they are always looking for help and volunteers to work with these special individuals.
Stay Classy Chambana!
Responses
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11.19.09
12:40 am
Caitlin,
I want to major in special education at the University of Illinois! From a student perspective, what do you think about the program? What is a typical schedule like? Are there any area schools you can go to for experience?
Thanks!
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Lilly
10.31.09
10:36 pm
wow, this sounds like a fun event and a great opportunity to get involved in the community even for non education majors - thanks for sharing and I look forward to next years event now