Ambassadors

Roberto es mi único hijo, tiene 4 años, en octubre 24 cumplirá los 5! Roberto, su papá y yo vivimos en Mesa y estamos tan emocionados y orgullosos de Roberto, porque desde que él nació se ha esforzado increíblemente por lograr metas, unas con más esfuerzo que otras, algunas batallas perdidas pero siempre con la vitalidad, energía y felicidad con la que él hace todo! Es un niño muy bueno, disciplinado, respetuoso, amable y sobretodo amoroso! Disfruta bastante de caminar, explorar y le atrae mucho la música pero su pasión es todo lo relacionado con el agua, le fascina!

• Qué significa para usted la Caminata por el Síndrome de Down en Arizona?

Para nosotros es un honor y orgullo poder participar en esta caminata por tercer año consecutivo porque significa que nuestra comunidad de síndrome de down, está cada vez más incluida y también es bastante significativo para nosotros el impacto tan positivo que damos como sociedad!

• Cómo han apoyado directamente el programa y los servicios de DSNetwork a su familia y a su ser querido con síndrome de Down?

Los programas y servicios que ofrece DSNetwork han sido muy importantes en la vida de Roberto y en la de nosotros, sus padres por muchas razones; hemos conocido a otras familias que han vivido situaciones similares a las nuestras y creamos empatía que a menudo es difícil obtener con personas que no han vivido lo mismo, no quiero decir que es menor la empatía con las familias que no tienen a alguien con síndrome de down, pero sí es diferente! Otra razón es que los eventos y programas son increíbles y dejan huella en la vida de nuestros pequeños y la nuestra como padres porque en cada evento son tan felices que estamos esperando siempre el siguiente! También y muy importante es todo el aprendizaje que adquirimos cada vez que asistimos a los programas, es realmente grandioso!

• Cuál es tu parte favorita de la Caminata?

Mi parte favorita de la caminata es poder tener la oportunidad de crear la concientización en la sociedad sobre la inclusión, aceptación, empatía, amor y respeto por nuestra comunidad de síndrome de down, así como presentar que somos una GRAN COMUNIDAD CON UN CROMOSOMA EXTRA DE AMOR!

Queremos agradecer la oportunidad de poder pertenecer a esta maravillosa comunidad, nos sentimos tan honrados y orgullosos porque Roberto ha sido elegido este año como Embajador de Down Syndrome Walk Arizona!

DONATE OR JOIN PASITOS DULCES POR ROBERTO >>>

Dylan will be 8 years old in October. He loves to dance, swim and play all day. He also loves doors, cars, music, his friends (human and imaginary i.e. Elmo, Hand and Monkey) and whenever anybody cheers for him.

• What does Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?

The Walk means so much to us because this will be the first time our Dilly gets to “WALK”. With all the many medical obstacles that our sweet Dill faced, walking was something we only dreamed of, at one time. With all his hard work, determination and strength to over come, that dream is now a reality. This is his first year walking independently and he is here to show us that miracles really do happen.

• How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?

The DSNetwork offers so many opportunities for education, community involvement, raising awareness in relation to Down syndrome and plenty of events and gatherings for our families to meet and mingle. Those friends are now family and they have saved me, fueled me, guided me and given me strength to go out there and advocate for my Dilly. The support is overwhelming and we are so grateful.

• What is your favorite part of the Walk?

My favorite part of the walk is seeing the way the community responds to our extraordinary families. The outpouring of love and support takes my breath away. Dylan’s favorite part of the walk is all the attention he gets!! Especially in the form of smiling, waving, and cheering. He feels like a Superstar.

DONATE OR JOIN DYLAN DEXTER’S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS >>>

Our family loves being active, going to the park, playing at the beach, and most of all traveling. We live in Buckeye – Adam (daddy), Kelly (mommy), Bode (big brother age 9), and Berkeley (DS Superstar age 7) with our border collie, Apollo, who thinks his soul mission in life is to protect our kids. Berkeley loves her big brother, Bode, and all of her family. She is a self-proclaimed “daddy’s girl.” Although her favorite class at her school is PE, which her mom teaches. Berkeley makes friends everywhere she goes. She loves playing at the park, swimming, and most of all reading. Her favorite author is Mo Willems. Berkeley enjoys waking up way too early in morning, being assertive, taking trips to Starbucks and Dutch Bros, watching Disney+ (only if it is on her avatar), and playing “school” with her dolls.

• What does Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?

Although we have done previous walks and events, this is our first DSN Walk! It is so exciting for our family and Berkeley’s village to come together and support DSN, all individuals with DS, and spread acceptance.

• How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?

I am so grateful for the programs that DSN has offered. It has allowed us to meet so many families. As a mom I have been able to talk and learn from other mom’s that understand what my life, day in and day out, is really like. When Berkeley was first diagnosed, I never imagined all the friendships and close bonds I would make with the DS community. Knowing there is such a large group willing and able to support Berkeley and our family helps me realize even more how truly lucky we are to be her parents.

• What is your favorite part of the Walk?

The enormous feeling of gratitude, support, and love.

Donate or Join Team Berkely >>>

Alexandra is 14 years old and in 8th grade. She has the best big brother, Jack, who is 16 years old and a junior in high school. Alex is an athlete and plays many sports to include basketball, baseball, soccer and golf, and she loves riding her bike to school. She tried out and made her middle school basketball team in seventh grade and learned so much while having a great inclusive experience. She has been fully included since preschool and loves school. Alex loves going on adventures and exploring the country with her family. She is just a fun loving, independent teenager with all the attitude and hormones that go along with that.

• What does Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?

We have been going to this event since we moved here in 2010 when Alex was 1 years old. Through our generous friends and family we have raised well over $15,000 for the DSNetwork of Arizona. It is a huge event with a large turnout that helps raise awareness and acceptance for those with Down syndrome. It is always a fun day!

• How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?

They have opportunities for such high quality training for both parents and self advocates. The support system and networking of parents involved in this organization is amazing.

• What is your favorite part of the Walk?

Gathering a group of friends and family together to walk the parade route and seeing all the support from the community. Every year we always have Alex’s grandparents along and various friends throughout the years to even include her middle school principal and her family last year.

DONATE OR JOIN TEAM ALEXANDRA >>>

Oscar is 11 years old and we currently live in Phoenix. He loves ballet, basketball, dogs, horseback riding, traveling and movies. He especially loves the movie “The Secret Life of Pets”.

• What does Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?

The Down syndrome Walk Arizona means opportunities, it means that Oscar gets to be involved in programs that help him lead a happy and fulfilled life. It is so difficult to find programs that whole heartedly include our children. It is so nice to have programs that embrace him and celebrate his achievements, while shaping them into more active members of the community.

• How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?

By providing programs that help shape Oscar’s future.

• What is your favorite part of the Walk?

I love when the community comes together to show support for our kids and adults with Down syndrome. It is so important that our loved ones are shown that they are celebrated.

I shared Oscar’s story with a group of women entrepreneurs recently and they were surprised that most extracurricular programs are not so open to including children with special needs. They had no idea, as parents themselves, how hard it is to find programs that are offered to our children to help promote their interests. They agreed that this is a part of their own children’s lives that is often taken for granted. They were happy to learn about programs that offer support and inclusion for all children like, The Down to Earth gardening program, The Ballet workshop with Ballet Arizona, and the Swim workshop with Ability 360 last summer. DS Network AZ has several programs that are geared towards helping our children achieve happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. We are excited to support DS Network AZ by participating in this walk and hope you join us too!

 Donate or Join Oscar’s Nerds >>>