πŸ’› Meet Oscar πŸ’™

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!

 

Β Donate or Join Oscar’s Nerds >>>

 

πŸ’› Meet Sienna πŸ’™

Sienna. Age 6 almost 7 (will be 7 on November 3!) sienna loves to dance & sing! Her favorite place to be is the park πŸ™‚

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?
When I think about the DS buddy walk the word community comes to mind. I love bringing everyone together in the community to celebrate our families & loved ones with Down Syndrome & how amazing each & everyone is!
  • How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?
If there is ever a time I have a question or need help, I have always been able to Rely on the Ds network!
  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?
Watching all the families come together & watch how happy everyone is. Celebrating our children & supporting one another.

πŸ’› Meet Grace πŸ’™

Grace Harper is 6 years old and we brought her home from the hospital 6 years ago this October. She started kindergarten this year and loves school. She is obsessed with riding the bus home. Her other obsessions are her 2 older brothers(Jake and Cade), our dog, Benny, and of course her parents, Greg and Rita. Grace will be getting a new sister in January as her brother, Jake is getting married to Alyssa. Grace will be their flower girl. When ever you talk to Grace, she will most likely tell you she is hungry Donald’s. Yep, Mc Donald’s is her favorite with pizza a close second. Grace will be playing t-ball through the Miracle League starting October 2nd.

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?
It means family and friends coming together all to walk in support of Grace and her friends while bringing awareness to not only her differences but also how alike she really is to typical children.
  • How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?
Love that Down Syndrome has programs for not only our DS kiddos of all ages, but also support siblings, Mom’s and Dad’s. The programs are always at such fun places. The calendar every year is such a big hit for my whole extended family.
  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?
Walking together with our Down Syndrome family/community.

πŸ’™ Meet Edward πŸ’›

My husband and I have 5 children, ages 16, 14, 12, 5 and 2. Edward is our 5 year old with Down Syndrome. His younger sister was quiet a surprise and they all keep us very busy. Edwards siblings absolutely adore him and are so great with him. Edward loves dogs, balls and ALL VEHICLES!!!

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?
It means community for us. Love seeing the support from other families and friends.
  • How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?
My favorite moments have been mom nights and holiday parties 😊
  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?
Walking through all the supporters and catching up with friends.

πŸ’™ Meet Milo πŸ’›

We are a family of four, Omar, Wendy, Bruno, and Milo, originally from Sonora, Mexico residing in Phoenix, Arizona, since 2019. We love to take our kids camping, hiking, and on bicycle rides. Milo is almost three years old (October 3th) and enjoys reading time, dancing, and playing with his older brother Bruno. He enjoys being around his family and friends. We love seeing Milo’s physical and personal development and are excited to walk this journey with him.

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?
It means community, support, and celebration. We walk as a family to celebrate our son Milo’s extra chromosome and the joy it has brought to our family.
  • How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?
DS Network’s program has supported our family by creating opportunities to connect with other parents. Their monthly events allow us to meet and learn from other families, share resources, and, most importantly, create awareness.
  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?
Our favorite part of the walk is to see parents, siblings, and family members coming out as one to create awareness, inclusion, and support for Down Syndrome. Many thanks for all the work you do!

πŸ’™ Meet Joseph πŸ’›

We were blessed when Joseph was born. We were told Joseph would not be like all other children. We did not expect that at 6 weeks. Four therapists worked with us for three years, now fourteen years old, Joseph proved everyone wrong. He talks and does everything all children are able to do. We are so proud of his sister’s for also helping Joseph become the amazing young man he is today. Joseph our 14 yr old handsome intelligent son is quite the jokester he loves to help people, talks up a storm and has a heart like no other. He has a mom and dad 2 sister’s, he is the baby. Thanks for letting us share a little bit of Joseph’s journey.

 

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?
    Comradery at its finest. Helping help people grow and helping bring awareness to everyone with Down syndrome and how kind and loving they all are, what a blessing.

 

  • How has DSNetwork’s program and services directly supported your family and loved one with Down syndrome?
    DSNetwork has opened doors for us that would have never been possible, they are helping our son and everyone that comes in contact with them to become more productive as adults.

 

  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?
    Being blessed with all the love from everyone involved. We are excited to be part of a great team! Thanks DSN for your love and support for individuals with Down syndrome of all races and ages.

 

DONATE OR JOIN TEAM NELSON

πŸ’™ Meet Joaquin πŸ’›

Joaquin is 6 years old and lives with his parents and big sister, Ximena (10). He loves hitting balls around the house and dancing to his favorite music. He is beloved by his all his family and friends and he loves giving lots of fist bumps to all.

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?

The Down Syndrome Walk is a special family event for us. We look forward to getting together to celebrate Joaquin and all our kiddos.

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

We love attending all the DSNetwork programs because there are programs for each of our family members (Club Xtra for Kids, DSConneX for Sibs, Mom’s Night Out, D.A.D.S.). It helps to be able to connect and talk to other families at all levels.

  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?

Our favorite part is that it is a parade and all the love and attention our kiddos receive. We are so grateful to DSNetwork for always welcoming us and supporting all our family.

 

DONATE OR JOIN JOAQUIN’S JEDI

πŸ’™ Meet Brett πŸ’›

Brett Logan is 19 years old and lives in Gilbert, AZ. We are originally from Colorado and have been in Arizona for about 4 years now. He is super outgoing, never meets a stranger, and has the biggest heart and most infectious laugh. Brett is a model, Disney enthusiast, adventure-seeker, and avid pajama-wearer. You will almost never see him without his beloved stuffed animals in hand, especially Bert and Woody! He was a varsity cheerleader in high school and is a current Junior Denver Broncos Cheerleader. Brett is an ambassador for Make-a-Wish and was a 2015 ambassador for Children’s Hospital Colorado for showing perseverance through treatment. He made international headlines in 2017 after becoming the first child with Down syndrome to walk the runway in Denver Fashion Week! Brett is reaching others every single day and helping to change negative perceptions of Down syndrome. Adopted as an older child, Brett is proving that there are no limits to what individuals with Down syndrome can accomplish with the proper supports and love. Brett is thrilled to be an ambassador for the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona 2022.

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?

Our first ever event we attended with the Down syndrome community upon moving to AZ was the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona in 2018 where he not only got to meet the amazing actress, Lauren Potter from one of Brett’s favorite shows “Glee”, but he also met his now best buddy Connor. Attending the buddy walk helped us to feel like part of the community here in Arizona and we are forever grateful for the friendship he formed with Connor and that we formed with other families. Down Syndrome Network of Arizona has helped connect us with our new community here in Arizona and helped us feel like part of the family. The importance of continuing DS Network AZ programs is not lost on us – without funds some of our favorite programs and family events would not be possible. Having an extra chromosome, while in many ways is a blessing, sometimes comes with extra hardships as well. If it were not for our community of other families who know what we are going through, we would feel lost and alone. We need these programs to continue so that we can continue supporting Brett and his peers.

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

Brett has attended the teen program with DSNetwork AZ and our family has attended several holiday events and other gatherings. It is through these events that we have made some of our closest friends.

  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?

Brett loves to be the center of attention so he absolutely adored walking by the crowd and getting lots of smiles, cheers, and high fives from the spectators.

 

DONATE OR JOIN BRETT’S BUDDIES

 

πŸ’› Meet Chloe πŸ’™

Chloe is a 15 yr old, who lives here in the Valley, she LOVES music, movies with music (Encanto, and Turning Red are her current faves), reading (especially about history, and the Civil Rights Movement), drawing, dancing. She loves her school Believe I Can Academy, and her friends, they have all become like a family to us.

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?

We love to get out and see our friends, and support the DSNetwork, and raise awareness for Down syndrome, showing everyone that we are awesome, and strong, and we care about making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities!

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

We have been involved with DSNetwork programs from the time Chloe was a few months old, from our first Holiday party, to play groups, Seminars held to learn about managing behavioral challenges, concerns and advances in health care particular to Ds, networking and making life long friends with other families, advice on navigating resources available, learning how to advocate for our loved one, we would have been lost without the DSNetwork!

  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?

My favorite part, and Chloe’s too, is getting the crowd riled up, by giving out high fives to every single person possible, She is a crowd favorite!

The DSNetwork has been the center of our Universe, whenever I have had questions, or need ideas on facing the next challenge, they have been there for us. We have made so many friends who we have played, laughed and cried together, I have loved watching their little ones learn and grow along with my kids. I feel as though I advocate for all of them, not just my own kid.

 

DONATE OR JOIN BICA CREW

 

 

πŸ’› Meet Angelina πŸ’™

Angelina Cielo is the youngest of 4 sisters. The day she was born completely changed our family’s lives for the absolute better! She brings us so much joy and has already taught us how precious is this life. As we had a prenatal diagnosis, many uncertain thoughts, woes, and worries filled mine and my husband’s minds. Had we known how amazing she was going to be, we would have gotten through the pregnancy with much less stress. Moving forward we value and cherish watching her grow and learn just like any other two-year-old.

  • What does the Down Syndrome Walk Arizona mean to you?

The Down Syndrome Walk Arizona means we get to play key roles in working towards extinguishing the stereotypical views of those with Down syndrome that unfortunately still exist today. We strive for a world where all with Down syndrome are viewed as equally deserving of a quality life and bright future.

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

The most important role DSNetwork’s programs have played in our family is the support that each one of us has benefited. Of course, Angelina, gets to connect with other children just like her but Mom, Dad, and Sisters are all supported right along with her through MOMS’ Night Out, Dads Appreciating Down Syndrome (D.A.D.S.), and DS ConneX 4 Young SIBS. The programs truly are one of a kind with amazing facilitators to go right along with them!

  • What is your favorite part of the Walk?

This will be our first official ‘Walk’ with the organization. We anticipate a day of blissful emotions as we join ASU’s Homecoming Parade.

 

Donate or join ANGELINA’S ANGELS