CLEVELAND, Ohio—The Up Side of Downs of Northeast Ohio supports and advocates for over 900 people with Down syndrome and their families.

  • Cleveland’s Buddy Walk is the 5th largest in the nation
  • The Buddy Walk was created by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to promote inclusion and acceptance of those living with Down syndrome
  • Grew from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 250 walks held worldwide this year

On Saturday, some of those families and thousands of their supporters filled the Cleveland Metro Park Zoo for the organization’s annual Buddy Walk.

“It was a great day for josh because all of his friends are here but for the group in general,” said Lauren Colyes, Buddy Walk participant. “This helps raise money for the Up Side of Downs, which helps brings programs and scholarships and all types of activities to our kids.”

The Buddy Walk was created by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to promote the acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

Renee Nemeth and her son Jack have been attending the walk for 12 of those 19 years.

“We did the first Buddy Walk when he was an infant,” said Nemeth, Buddy Walk participant. “So, we were carrying him around when he was a baby-baby, so it’s fun to see the community come together.”

The two participated as part of Team Crestview— a community that came together in hundreds for the walk, representing two of their loved ones living with down syndrome and honoring the memory of a third.

“It’s one day that everyone comes together… we just celebrate with each other all of the accomplishments and abilities of people with Down syndrome, as well as all of the people that support them,” said Nemeth. “They could not do what they do without… all of their teachers, their therapist, advocacy groups like the Up Side of Downs,” said Nemeth.

The Up Side of Downs Buddy Walk brings together people living with Down syndrome — and those people are also business owners, scholars, dancers, artist, brothers, sisters, and so much more. 

“Jack is doing amazing… he loves school, he’s making a difference with his friends… so, the barriers that people said were there, I don’t find them. They aren’t there,” said Nemeth.”

“He is our little social butterfly, he’s amazing to be around, so we are all just so proud of him…he’s amazing,” said Colyes.

The Buddy Walk has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to more than 250 walks held worldwide this year.

Cleveland’s Buddy Walk is the 5th largest in the nation.