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Lilly Stephens, age 9, right, receives a balloon puppy from clown Kelli Conner at the 10th annual Step Up for Down Syndrome of the Heartland Down Syndrome at Capaha Park on Saturday.
TYLER GRAEF
Charity walks were held on Saturday to raise awareness and support for people with Alzheimer's disease, those who are recovering from addiction to a substance or those with Down syndrome.
Walk to End Alzheimer's was held at Cape County Park North in Cape Girardeau, and event organizer, Greg Sciuto, said the event has lasted 21 years and that this year, more 500 participants participated in the event.
"We had more than 300 registered before today," he said. "We honor those we have lost because of the disease, but our walk is a celebration of life and, hopefully, it's people's feeling."
The goal for this year was to raise $ 105,000, with profits being donated to the Greater Missouri section of the Alzheimer's Association to provide resources and meet individual needs in the South East of Missouri.
Sciuto pointed out that people are getting lost "slowly over time", but their lives and memories still deserve to be celebrated.
The event began with the presence of many colorful flowers during the "Garden Promise Ceremony," which Sciuto described as a period of commemoration, support, and hope.
A blue flower symbolizing people with Alzheimer's; a yellow flower representing the caregivers; a purple flower for "those we have lost"; and an orange blossom meaning people who do not have a direct connection, but understand the need to keep fighting for the cause, according to Sciuto.
The flowers were lifted one by one to illustrate the enormity of the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, he explained.
Rhonda Ray, a Cape Girardeau native and Team A participant, was on Saturday in honor of her mother with Alzheimer's disease.
Ray recounted how her mother announced on stage during the Walk to End Alzheimer's Disease in 2012 that she would not recommend [Alzheimer’s]"and followed his speech with a dance, a bow and" everyone applauded, "Ray said.
Ray met team A by volunteering at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau. And her purple hair has a lot of attention, she says.
When someone says to Ray: "I really love your hair," she responds: "It's all about raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease."
Ray often has the opportunity to talk to someone who needs to talk about Alzheimer's disease, she said.
"One time, I bought this purple pants in Goodwill, and a man of my age said," If you like, tell me that's for your granddaughter. I said, "Well, I have a grandson, I do not think he would wear them," Ray said. And he says, "And your hair is ridiculous. "
Ray said that she had then started to explain to her the reason for the color of her hair and it had turned out that he had been diagnosed with Alzeheimer a few days ago and that he was not Had not been able to tell his wife.
"And this man ended up hugging me before leaving," she said. "I want people to know about Alzheimer's disease."
Recovery of the dependency
Another march was held on Saturday to raise public awareness of addiction recovery.
Southeast Ambassador Kristi Booth participated in the third annual Walk for Addiction Recovery in Capaha Park, Cape Girardeau.
Booth – who is also part of the Missouri Recovery Network – said that she and the other 150 or so participants are recovering and want to express their dedication to the community.
"We are trying to break the stigma of addiction," she said. "Because when people think of an addict, then think of us when we are in our addiction, rather than when we are recovering."
Addictions can be classified as addiction disorders, said Booth, "who covers everything".
"We want to educate and let people know that we are recovering," said Booth.
Down syndrome
The 10th annual walk for trisomy 21 was also held Saturday morning at Capaha Park.
Claire Watson, a group leader from Cape Girardeau, said the event brought together nearly 300 participants, which was "a lot".
"It was a great day, it was a record number of people for us," Watson said. "Several new families have come, which is always great."
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