Community Corner

Grafton Residents Participate in the Buddy Walk and Harvest Fair

The MDSC Buddy Walk Program is the state's largest public awareness platform to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

Written by Liora Bram

The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) will be holding its first
Buddy Walk & Harvest Fair in Central Massachusetts on Sunday, Sept. 22, in Uxbridge. The celebration is expected to bring together more than 500 individuals with Down syndrome as well as their families and friends to raise both awareness about Down syndrome and critical funds to support our programs and 
advocacy work.

The event, which will be held at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge, will include children's entertainment, games and refreshments, and a chance to win great raffle items, culminating with an early autumn 1-mile stroll around the grounds. 
Families will be attending from throughout Central Mass. and across the state.

Grafton families include:
• The Padula Family:  Jessica and James have two children – Bella and Violet.  Bella, who has Down syndrome, is five and is fully integrated in the Grafton Public Schools at South Grafton Elementary.
• The Gladstone Family:  Michael and Liora have three children – Molly, Eliya and Ronen. Ronen is 2 and was diagnosed with Down syndrome at birth.  
• The Long Family: Richard and Lori have two daughters.  Their youngest, Alyssa, is 2 and a half and has Down syndrome.

The MDSC Buddy Walk Program is the state’s largest public awareness platform to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. Our two other walks are the Buddy Walk & Family Festival in Wakefield, MA and the Buddy Walk by the Sea in Falmouth. 

The MDSC provides a wide range of support to those directly affected by Down syndrome and also advocates for Down syndrome issues on the local and national level.  We support new and expectant families, educate health care professionals about Down syndrome and how to deliver a diagnosis, provide social and leadership development for teens and young adults with Down syndrome, equip educators with best practices and resources, and create and influence legislation affecting people with Down syndrome. 


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