Event celebrates 'miracle' nature of people with Down syndrome

[Guest guest]

Buddy Walk at Calvary Temple Worship Center in Modesto-- A

fund-raiser and community event to raise awareness of and appreciation for

people with Down syndrome. (L-R): Grace Avila, 9, belle Avila 5, and Sharon

walking. September 27, 2008. (Bart Ah You/The Modesto Bee)

Modesto Bee - Bart Ah You

By GARTH STAPLEY

gstapley@...

last updated: September 28, 2008 05:10:39 AM

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When Kareena ez of Newman was pregnant with Sammy, now

5 months old, a doctor offered to test the baby growing inside. In case he

was, well, different. He might even, you know, have Down syndrome.

That was just the right thing to say -- to ensure that she would never let

that long needle near her belly.

" I said, 'If he's anything like Uncle Mikey, I want him,' " she

recalled saying. She was among the many Mike ez fans at Saturday's 13th

annual Buddy Walk at Calvary Temple Worship Center, where people with Down

syndrome gathered with a couple of hundred supporters to celebrate meaningful

life and love.

ez of took little Sammy, who doesn't have Down syndrome, in

his arms after the walk as the crowd settled in for food, entertainment and

activities. " I love kids, " he said. " And people. "

ez was born 41 years ago with 47 chromosomes instead of 46. People

with Down syndrome have mental and sometimes physical disabilities of varying

degrees.

His mother, Debbie Archuleta, said hospital personnel advised her not to

hold her baby for the first three weeks of his life, to prevent bonding. If the

two bonded, that could make it difficult for her to submit forms committing

Mike to an institution, papers she refused to sign.

" They told me he would be an embarrassment and a hindrance to us his

whole life, " Archuleta remembered. " Mike has been just the opposite

-- an inspiration and an asset. "

He won a drawing contest at 12. He delivered a special education

valedictorian speech when he graduated from a San high school in 1989. He

held down food service jobs for many years before moving to with

family members, 20 of whom joined the

Buddy Walk on Saturday in full support. Most wore this year's special

T-shirt with a red, white and blue logo designed by ez, with lettering

asking, " Would you walk with me? "

The Modesto walk was established in 1996, a year after the National Down

Syndrome Society staged 17 walks to promote awareness and acceptance of people

with Down syndrome. Buddy Walks across the United States have grown since to

275, engaging nearly 2 million people and raising more than $6.5 million for

local services.

The Central California Down Syndrome Foundation, for example, runs

activities and a support group for 130 families. New president Kathleen Du Bose

is developing a program showing expectant mothers the blessings they can look

forward to when they welcome a Down syndrome baby into their homes.

" We want to spread the word that our babies are miracles who can thrive

and learn and do things as any other child, " said Du Bose, whose Down

syndrome son, Zeke, is 9. " They're angels. Any of our parents can testify

to that. "

The experience of Palin, who gave birth to a Down syndrome boy just

five months before she became the Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate,

helps provide exposure, Du Bose said.

Down syndrome affects people of every race and economic level, increasing in

incidence with the age of the mother. Better health care has boosted life

expectancy from 25 years in 1983 to 56 today. More than 350,000 people with

Down syndrome live in the United States.

ez, who lives with his mother, visits the library just about every

day. He cooks, cleans, irons and writes country music. For years, he has sent

suggested plays to the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff. And he never misses

a Power Rangers episode.

" You think life is so tough, then you look at Mike, " said his

sister-in-law, Tina Archuleta of Ceres. " He always has a smile on his

face. Then you say, 'It's not that bad.' "

Bee staff writer Garth Stapley can be reached at gstapley@... or

[Guest guest]

another good one!http://media.modbee.com/smedia/2008/09/27/20/693-LIVE_p0928_28b3walk3.embedded.prod_affiliate.11.jpg http://media.modbee.com/smedia/2008/09/27/20/693-LIVE_p0928_28b3walk3.embedded.prod_affiliate.11.jpghttp://media.modbee.com/smedia/2008/09/27/17/982-LIVE_p0928_28b1buddy2.embedded.prod_affiliate.11.jpghttp://media.modbee.com/smedia/2008/09/27/17/655-LIVE_p0928_28b1buddy1.embedded.prod_affiliate.11.jpgBuddy Walk at Calvary Temple Worship Center in Modesto-- A fund-raiser and community event to raise awareness of and appreciation for people with Down syndrome. (L-R): Grace Avila, 9, belle Avila 5, and Sharon walking. September 27, 2008. (Bart Ah You/The Modesto Bee) Modesto Bee - Bart Ah You By GARTH STAPLEY gstapleymodbee (DOT) comlast updated: September 28, 2008 05:10:39 AM The High FiveMost Emailed StoriesMost Commented Stories1. Man arrested after Modesto bar fight2. Modesto heroin sting nets 12 arrests3. civil trial scheduled to start in May4. Modesto police arrest Mexican nationals, 10 others in heroin busts5. Disturbances rip apart Turlock street relationsThe High Five are the five most-read stories, updated hourly. 1. Books2. Wife among arrested in husband's slaying3. Nurse, principal step in to aid 12-year-old4. Disturbances rip apart Turlock street relations5. Focused on Fitness1. 4 women file lawsuit against Sheriff's Department2. Police shoot, kill man who stomped baby to death3. Man tries to cut off arm inside Modesto restaurant4. CHP officers shoot, kill man near Farmington5. Gang members apologize after stabbing wrong man in ModestoWhen Kareena ez of Newman was pregnant with Sammy, now 5 months old, a doctor offered to test the baby growing inside. In case he was, well, different. He might even, you know, have Down syndrome. That was just the right thing to say -- to ensure that she would never let that long needle near her belly. " I said, 'If he's anything like Uncle Mikey, I want him,' " she recalled saying. She was among the many Mike ez fans at Saturday's 13th annual Buddy Walk at Calvary Temple Worship Center, where people with Down syndrome gathered with a couple of hundred supporters to celebrate meaningful life and love. ez of took little Sammy, who doesn't have Down syndrome, in his arms after the walk as the crowd settled in for food, entertainment and activities. " I love kids, " he said. " And people. " ez was born 41 years ago with 47 chromosomes instead of 46. People with Down syndrome have mental and sometimes physical disabilities of varying degrees. His mother, Debbie Archuleta, said hospital personnel advised her not to hold her baby for the first three weeks of his life, to prevent bonding. If the two bonded, that could make it difficult for her to submit forms committing Mike to an institution, papers she refused to sign. " They told me he would be an embarrassment and a hindrance to us his whole life, " Archuleta remembered. " Mike has been just the opposite -- an inspiration and an asset. " He won a drawing contest at 12. He delivered a special education valedictorian speech when he graduated from a San high school in 1989. He held down food service jobs for many years before moving to with family members, 20 of whom joined the Buddy Walk on Saturday in full support. Most wore this year's special T-shirt with a red, white and blue logo designed by ez, with lettering asking, " Would you walk with me? " The Modesto walk was established in 1996, a year after the National Down Syndrome Society staged 17 walks to promote awareness and acceptance of people with Down syndrome. Buddy Walks across the United States have grown since to 275, engaging nearly 2 million people and raising more than $6.5 million for local services. The Central California Down Syndrome Foundation, for example, runs activities and a support group for 130 families. New president Kathleen Du Bose is developing a program showing expectant mothers the blessings they can look forward to when they welcome a Down syndrome baby into their homes. " We want to spread the word that our babies are miracles who can thrive and learn and do things as any other child, " said Du Bose, whose Down syndrome son, Zeke, is 9. " They're angels. Any of our parents can testify to that. " The experience of Palin, who gave birth to a Down syndrome boy just five months before she became the Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate, helps provide exposure, Du Bose said. Down syndrome affects people of every race and economic level, increasing in incidence with the age of the mother. Better health care has boosted life expectancy from 25 years in 1983 to 56 today. More than 350,000 people with Down syndrome live in the United States. ez, who lives with his mother, visits the library just about every day. He cooks, cleans, irons and writes country music. For years, he has sent suggested plays to the San Francisco 49ers coaching staff. And he never misses a Power Rangers episode. " You think life is so tough, then you look at Mike, " said his sister-in-law, Tina Archuleta of Ceres. " He always has a smile on his face. Then you say, 'It's not that bad.' " Bee staff writer Garth Stapley can be reached at gstapleymodbee (DOT) comor