Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy
Buddy Walk takes place at Gough Park 1021117
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Cobre High School Cheerleaders shelter from the chill wind before participating in the Buddy Walk. From left are Delilah Marin, Daquiri Torres and Sierra Dalton
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Raul Turrieta makes announcements
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Turrieta and Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner, two of the grand marshals, put on tutus for the walk.
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Gabie Hardin dances with Ladner
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
The third grand marshal, Bayard Police Chief Willy Kerin, sports a Batman tutu. He often shows up at events in a Batman costume.
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
The tututed three grand marshals
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Debbie, Robert and Melissa Madrid
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Vicki Galindo, event organizer, is recognized by Turrieta and Ladner, as McKenzie photobombs the shot. She wants to dance.
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Ladner asks people to gather for a group photo before the Buddy Walk
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Holding the sign for the walk.
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
The group ready to do three turns around Gough Park.
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Cobre High School cheerleaders stack up to hold the sign for the walkers to tear through.
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
"We're more alike than different"
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
The first tear appears as walkers push through
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
And we're through the sign, on our way around the park
Buddy Walk at Gough Park 102117
Bubba Dean helps the grand marshals hold the sign.
The Buddy Walk was developed through the Down Syndrome Society, with the first one being held in 1995. According to Vicki Galindo, organizer of the Buddy Walk in Silver City, the Buddy Walk is an event hosted by the ARC Family Support Networks of Silver City and Deming. Seven groups, including the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Planning Council and ARC put on the five Buddy Walks in New Mexico. Galindo said more than 250 are held in the U.S. and internationally.
This event in Silver City's Gough Park on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017, a day that began with a chilly wind, brought out more than 100 people in the morning, and some were still arriving as the walk progressed on its three tours around the park.
Galindo said she would participate in next week's Buddy Walk that will be part of the New Mexico State University Homecoming.
She explained that the number 3 is important to the cause. Those with Down Syndrome are born with a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21.
The grand marshals for the parade were Silver City Mayor Ken Ladner, Bayard Police Chief Willy Kerin and County Assessor Raul Turrieta. They all wore tutus. Galindo explained that her Down Syndrome daughter Jamie doesn't like the feel of barrettes or jewelry, but she loves tutus, so last year, Galindo brought tutus and many people wore them. "We picked the 21st day of October for our Buddy Walk because of the significance of 21."
She said a trust fund for Down Syndrome was set up by the parents of Isabel Gonzales, who was adopted as a child with Down Syndrome. When her parents passed away, they left a trust only for those with Down Syndrome to be able to attend conferences on the topic.
After the walk, games were set up in the park, and music would play, because "They love to dance," Galindo said.