Down syndrome could affect any family and thousands of people in West Virginia live with that reality every day, but the fact that those families are able to get to know one another is a big help.

Support comes from many places and it makes the biggest difference. They’re an extended family. When members of the Down Syndrome Network of West Virginia get together, everybody wins.

“It’s a whole community. You have people that are just like you,” Tessa Walkup of Boone Countysaid.

More support came this week from West Virginia's state capitol. October was declared Down Syndrome Awareness Month. It's another opportunity also to see they're not alone. For 10 year old Kendra this upcoming walk will be an extra special one.

“Her whole school will be attending as a field trip the Buddy Walk,” Tessa Walkup said, “She has 47 chromosomes instead of 46, and it just usually ends up they may have a different look or may be a little slower than the other kids.”

Still the same and they are so lovable and Delyssa Huffman, Miss Ohio River agrees. Her uncle has down syndrome so she used it as her platform.

“I think it had a big impact on me and made me realize people with these disabilities. They have such a simple life yet they enjoy the great things in life and people take for granted so many things in life they don't,” Delyssa Huffman of Mason Countysaid.

The 6th Annual Buddy Walk in Charleston will be at the Capitol Complex a week from Saturday, which is October 13th. Registration is at 10:30 a.m. for more information just go to our website wsaz.com and click on featured links.