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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, June 16, 2016 | 40 Mom co-chair of Halton Go21 Walk for Down syndrome by Julie Slack Metroland West Media Health "Connected to your Community" Jen and Mark Thomas moved to Milton after their son Benjamin was born with Down syndrome. The reason was simple: the supports offered by the Halton Down Syndrome Association (HDSA) were out of this world. Following a prenatal blood-screen, the Thomases found out that there was a possibility their son would have Down syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by an extra chromosome 21. The diagnosis was confirmed when Benjamin was born. Quickly, the family got in touch with the Down Syndrome Association (DSA) and discovered Halton had a strong network, so Jen and Mark moved from Toronto to Milton. "There's a crazy number of activities, from a new parent group, elementary-age and even a graduate group," said Jen, who volunteers with the non-profit organization. For the second consecutive year, Jen is serving as co-chair of the Go21 Walk. It takes place Saturday (June 18), from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Milton Fair Grounds (136 Robert St.). It will be marshaled by Darryl Sittler, Hall of Fame hockey player, businessman, and charity advocate. Jen co-chairs the event with Leanne Tovey, who actually got the walk started four years ago. The second annual Go 21 ­ Halton Walk for Down Syndrome is a leisurely, two-kilometre stroll through downtown Milton, winding up at the Fair Grounds, where more fun awaits with a carnival for everyone to enjoy. There will be a silent auction, food, bouncy castles, midway, train rides, face painting, pony rides, magic show by Miltonian Tyler Fergus, a barbecue and more. This is the first time the walk will be held at The Thomas family, including Jen, Mark, Benjamin and Audrey, moved to Milton after Jen and Mark's son Benjamin was born with Down syndrome because of the supports offered by the Halton Down Syndrome Association. | photo by Julie Slack ­ Metroland West Media the Fair Grounds; its former location at Victoria Park in Milton was not open this summer as the park is undergoing renovations. Funds raised through the walk help to increase awareness about Down syndrome and an active healthy lifestyle starts here support research, education and advocacy programs. Last year's walk raised $100,000 thanks to a combination of sponsors and 1,200 participants. It also included more than 100 volunteers. Benjamin, three-and-a-half, will be just one of hundreds of children taking part in the fun activities this year and Jen expects some 1,500 people to take part. This year, Jen -- now a mother of two after giving birth to Audrey only six weeks ago -- is hoping even more people participate in the walk, which used to be called the Buddy Walk, developed originally in the U.S. in 1995. Canada began its own event, which HDSA supported. The name, Go21, means Go in celebration of advancement and strength in the Down syndrome community and "21" to represent the tripling of the 21st chromosome that determines a Down syndrome diagnosis. Down syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement. Its occurrence is universal across racial and gender lines, and it is present in approximately one in 800 births in Canada. Quality educational programs, a stimulating home environment, good health care, and positive support from family, friends and the community enable people with Down syndrome to develop to their full potential and lead fulfilling lives, according to the Halton chapter of the non-profit organization. It's thanks to the HDSA and its supports that Jen's worries were put at ease. "It was terrifying for us when we found out he had Down syndrome," she said. "It's been a super supportive group where you can ask questions without feeling funny or embarrassed. Plus there are so many activities in the area." Activities include bowling, trips to Spring Ridge Farm, swimming, information sessions for parents, workshops on sign language, financial workshops, including information sharing on disability tax credits and even pub nights. There's also a summer picnic and annual general meeting held in the fall at the house of one of the group's founding members. When Benjamin was born, he suffered from atrio-ventricular septal defect -- a large hole between the heart's atriums, and a common valve between, when normally there would be two. He had open-heart surgery at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children when he was just nine months old. Five days later, he was back home recovering. 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