Walking with heroes

Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Good buddies hold hands during the Saturday’s Buddy Walk. Buddy Walks are held nationwide to raise awareness of Down Syndrome.

Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Buddies of all ages came out for Saturday’s Buddy Walk.

by CHERYL SCHWEIZER
Staff Writer | September 18, 2017 3:00 AM

Cheryl Schweizer/Columbia Basin Herald Buddies of all ages came out for Saturdays Buddy Walk.

MOSES LAKE — Some special people and their buddies went for a walk Saturday afternoon, danced on the stage at McCosh Park, played games, had dinner in the park. The annual Buddy Walk is sponsored by the Down Syndrome Society of Grant County.

Walkers started at the park and headed down Fifth Street and through downtown, directed by the cheer squad from Chief Moses Middle School. There were games and music, and after the walk there was dinner provided by Tacos Del Rey.

And there was a medal presentation for all participants with Down Syndrome, from one group of heroes to another. All residents with Down Syndrome are heroes, said organizer Kerry Aronsohn in an earlier interview. The medals were presented by local members of the U.S. military, and the soldiers and airmen were among the buddies that went walking.

Money raised through the Buddy Walk goes to the Natasha Hastings Memorial Scholarship, named in memory of a Moses Lake girl with Down Syndrome who died at 10 years of age. Families can use the money to meet the needs of a person with Down Syndrome, from medical bills to continuing education.

Currently the DSSGC is accepting applications for the 2017 awards. More information is available at the organization’s website, www.dssgc.org.

And the Buddy Walk is designed to help promote awareness of Down Syndrome and the people who have it – and that Down Syndrome does not define them as people.

Maria Flores was walking with her buddy Chase Klenz, and also for her nephew Caleb Valdez. Chase and Caleb are just like anybody else, Maria said; people with Down Syndrome have lives, and jobs, and make their contributions to society.

After he was done at work, James Smith went around town and sold sponsorships for the Buddy Walk, said his mom Michaela, and delivered Buddy Walk T-shirts to his customers. “I want people to open up their hearts and their minds,” Michaela Smith said. “We would like people to get to know them.”

Georgi Boorman was walking with her buddy, and sister-in-law, Alex Boorman. People with Down Syndrome are members of the community, and members of the family, she said. “What a joy it is to have somebody like Alex in our family,” she said.

“She brings a lot of joy,” Georgi said, a sentiment echoed by Michaela Smith. “They bring so much joy,” Michaela said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.