When Kori Karamanoogian’s son, Brandon, was born four years ago, she worried that his Down syndrome would prevent him from being accepted in the world.

Seeking resources and a sense of community, the Bedford resident joined the board of the New Hampshire Down Syndrome Association, where she has met countless families with stories similar to her own.

These families will come together in Concord from across the state on Sunday, Sept. 22 for the organization’s annual Buddy Walk, which aims to raise funds for Down syndrome advocacy while fostering connections among participants. The event includes an opening ceremony, a group walk around the State House plaza, lunch, music, face painting, cotton candy, and more.

“It offers a sense of belonging and understanding in this whole community,” Karamanoogian said. “It’s full of people with different backgrounds and experiences that somehow come together to support one another with this different kind of acceptance. We all understand the fear and celebration on a daily basis with our children, and the people with the older kids or the young adults are able to give us perspective.”

The event will feature 22-year-old Madison Tevlin, a Canadian actress, model, broadcaster, and content creator whose recent campaign, “Assume That I Can,” examines how assumptions about people with Down syndrome can become reality. She strives to empower others to make positive assumptions about what people with Down syndrome can do rather than diminishing their potential. Tevlin will deliver a speech at the event and walk alongside participants.

“I want the Concord community to know that Down syndrome is just one part of who we are,” Tevlin said. “People with Down syndrome have dreams and goals, just like anyone else. It’s important to see us for who we are, and not to be defined by a diagnosis. I also want people to know that inclusion makes everyone stronger. When communities embrace people with Down syndrome, there's more understanding, connection, and growth for everyone!”

Marya Ketchell will walk at the event with her six-year-old son, Wyatt. The New Hampshire Down Syndrome Association board member explained how Tevlin serves as a source of inspiration to Wyatt and her whole family.

“We can’t wait to walk with her,” Ketchell said. “She has dedicated her life to dismantling the stigmas associated with Down syndrome, and she is truly changing the world for people like Wyatt.”

The walk also includes a fundraising component in which each team seeks donations that will support all the work the association does in supporting those with Down syndrome and their families. From funding events such as the walk and World Down Syndrome Day to uplifting hospitalized children, sending care packages, paying for learning equipment, the association strives to be a bedrock in the lives of families.

Ketchell participated in her first walk when Wyatt was 6 months old.

“The NHDSA supported our family as we navigated our new world,” Ketchell said. “We continue to walk every year to connect with families like ours and to show New Hampshire and the world that people who have Down syndrome can do, be and achieve anything.”

Ketchell now runs the same First Call program that aided her during her pregnancy. The program provides resources and support to expectant or new parents of a child with Down syndrome.

Each year, Karamanoogian’s family and friends band together to form their team, Brandon’s Buddies. They walk among the several hundred people who attend the event. Brandon himself loves the event, since he gets to see friends he’s made through the association while forging new friendships over the course of the walk.

“There’s bubble machines, there’s music, all of his people, his grandparents, his cousins, all these people are there to support him, and he knows about him,” Karamanoogian said. “I think that’s the cool thing is the kids realize that these people are all there for them.”

Having families flock to Concord to spend the day together provides a sense of unparalleled solidarity, per Karamanoogian, who described the togetherness as feeling like her “other family.”

“Everyone’s accepted,” she said. “If kids are tantruming, everyone accepts it. No one’s judging you. No one’s judging your child. And I think that’s a fear a lot of us have is that you do feel like your child’s being judged and you’re being judged as a parent. Here you’re not. It’s just normal. It creates a sense of normalcy in a world where your child stands out.”

Karamanoogian works as a special education teacher in Manchester and says she hopes the event can help the community better understand what Down syndrome means.

“I’ve seen so many kids with different needs and know that having Down syndrome isn’t a negative thing. The stereotypes aren’t real. These children can be successful. Every family I’ve met in the community works tirelessly to help and support their children and other people’s children, which has been really cool to see.”

Ketchell and Karamanoogian look forward to Sunday’s walk and the sense of excitement, love, and support they know they’ll find there.

“It offers that support, but it's more just people knowing that they're welcome and they're part of something, and just all being together is the biggest goal,” Karamanoogian said.

If you go

The 2024 Buddy Walk begins at 11 a.m. at 107 North Main St in Concord. To register, visit https://charity.pledgeit.org/NHDSABuddyWalk2024.

Rachel Wachman can be reached at rwachman@cmonitor.com.