SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The COVID-19 Pandemic has had an affect on people all over the world and even greater impacts on those with special needs.
Amy Weber is the mother of 18-year-old Liliana who has Down Syndrome.
“I’m glad someone is willing to do a story on this, ” Weber said.
The Buddy Walk is an annual walk held in September to get families together and raise awareness for those with Down Syndrome. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic the event has had to be cancelled for the previous two years.
The Food Chair for the walk Pat Mahar, references additional health issues for those with Down Syndrome as a reason for the cancellations.
“We’ve cancelled the last two walks because people with down syndromes are a very vulnerable population, so we did not want to get 1900 people together,” Mahar said.
According to Mahar many people diagnosed with Down Syndrome deal with other immune issues that make the possibility of contracting COVID-19 an even bigger threat.
Many people with Down Syndrome look forward to the walk each year and miss the opportunity to play games and see their friends. Weber stated that the pandemic has caused her daughter to miss things she enjoys most like cooking classes at Gigi’s playhouse, a Down Syndrome achievement center or the Buddy Walk itself.
“She looks forward to just getting back to seeing her friends and doing some fun things,” said Weber.
Organizers of the Buddy Walk plan on returning this September, giving those who need it a chance to return to normalcy.
