The Buddy Walk of the Berkshires
By: Down Syndrome Family Group Member/Mother Donna Narey
What an amazing sight! 1,200 people all in green shirts walking down the Main Street of Dalton. As a parent, knowing these walkers were all here to celebrate my child and his fellow persons with Down Syndrome, makes the walk even more amazing! Every parent dreams that his/her child will fit in, have friends and above all, be happy. When you have 1,200 friends walking on your behalf, how can you not be happy!
My husband, Steve and our sons, Josh, Ryan, and Cole have lived in the Berkshires for 14 years. It has felt like home for 11 years. That’s because 11 years ago when Cole was just a newborn, we connected with several other families who also have children with Down Syndrome and formed the Berkshire County Arc (BCArc) Down Syndrome Family Group (DSFG) which then began hosting the Buddy Walk of the Berkshires. Being a part of this group and being able to walk in the Buddy Walk is wonderful. For Steve and me, it’s a connection to other parents. For Josh and Ryan, it’s knowing and seeing that there are other siblings in the same situation. And for Cole, it means that he is part of the community, not just the DSFG and BCArc community but the larger community; the Berkshire community.
