TimesLeader.com

October 1
Be a Buddy

Kelly Leighton Abington Journal Correspondent

CLARKS SUMMIT - This Sunday, Oct. 5, Abington Heights Senior High School in Clarks Summit will host the annual Lackawanna County Buddy Walk. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and the walk will begin at 2 p.m. Donations will be accepted but are not required. The Walk is being held by Parents of Down Syndrome (PODS).

From left are Stephen Cannizzaro, Ryan, 6, Alex, 3 and Jennifer.

Abington Journal/Rob Specht

This will mark the first year that three-year-old Alex Cannizzaro, a child with Down Syndrome, will participate, and his father, Stephen, 38, of Clarks Summit couldn’t be more excited.

For the first three years of his life, Alex received an array of therapies at home through a program known as Early Intervention. “The care and attention he received through Clarks Summit based United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) was second to none. The therapy he received along with the indisputable dedication and devotion of my wife Jennifer has helped Alex successfully reach many developmental milestones. For this, I am forever grateful,” said Cannizzaro.

Cannizzaro and his wife, Jennifer, 35, and elder son, Ryan, 6, joined PODS after Alex was born in December 2004.

Cannizzaro described the family’s first meeting as “a wonderful and uplifting experience.” “We were able to meet other families in the area who also have children with Down Syndrome. We were able to share stories and receive valuable insight into raising a child with special needs,” said Cannizzaro.

“This year will be our fourth Buddy Walk. It is a great day in which we celebrate the accomplishments and ability of our children, rather than dwell on any disabilities. Coming together as a community gives all participants a sense of hope and appreciation.”

In addition to participating with Alex for the first time, Cannizzaro said he is looking forward to seeing Selena Waters, a 2006 Abington Heights graduate, speak to the crowd. “I had the honor of attending her senior year basketball game in which she started for the Comets against Honesdale. I’ve attended World Series games along with games during the Stanley Cup Finals, but I have to admit attending Selena’s senior basketball game is the single most thrilling sporting event I have ever attended ,” said Cannizzaro.

The Buddy Walk will also include raffle baskets, face painting and some other activities for young children, according to Cannizzaro. Local therapy dogs will also be making an appearance, he added.

The Buddy Walk was established by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. Since the start, more than 1,750,000 people have participated in the Buddy Walk program. .

Locally, contributions are used to support activities such as karate classes, music therapy and swimming lessons, as well as the creation of a new support library.