By Halton Down Syndrome Association
The Halton Down Syndrome Association’s aim is to make life better for those with Down syndrome and their families, and this June, you can help them do that one step at a time. Literally.
You can participate in their June 10, 2023, Walk for Down Syndrome by registering your own team or donating to an existing team. Some of the teams are led by the association’s VIPs, who are their members who have Down syndrome, who are working hard to help others like them — and compete with their teams to raise the most money or have the team with the most participants. VIPs also like to show other people that they are strong, capable, and productive members of our community.
Proving all of that, as well as being a long-time team leader in the Walk for Down Syndrome and in Halton Down Syndrome Association (HDSA), is Allan McNeill. Allan has Down syndrome and lives his BEST life. Allan says: “Down syndrome is not a disease. We like to do everything other people like to do.” Allan does that and more and is an advocate in the Down syndrome community.
Some of Allan’s community involvement includes:
- Allan holds the title of Director of VIPs at the Halton Down Syndrome Association. He also helps with many HDSA committees.
- He has been a scout leader for the last 20 years.
- He is a sacristan for his local church.
- He has been an employee at Innomotive Solutions Group for the past 11 years. Of his job, which he still enjoys, Allan says, “I worked there for 11 years, they paid me well and I get profit sharing and I get bonuses.”
- He is the virtual group leader of “Healthy Hacks with Allan,” where he leads a group of VIPs in exercise and teaches about good nutrition. Allan is an advocate for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and he enjoys sharing his knowledge and encouraging others by leading these sessions.
Allan doesn’t just take care of the community, he also loves his family, and helps his parents, Neil and Riky. At home, Allan helps around the house and runs to the grocery store for his parents anytime they need something. Neil and Riky feel well-cared for with all of Allan’s help: “Our son Allan is a gem. We can’t imagine life without him.”
Allan’s parents Neil and Riky, along with four other families, were the founding members of the Halton Down Syndrome Association in 1984, when Allan was just a toddler. “We started the HDSA mainly to support each other. We work for full integration and participation in society,” say the McNeills.
This year, Allan is looking forward to the 11th annual Walk for Down Syndrome. Allan has won the trophy for “most money raised” multiple times, and still has every medal he ever received for participating in the walk. Each years’ t-shirt hangs in his closet, pressed and washed.
Come and join Allan and other VIPs in one of the largest walks for Down syndrome in Canada, on June 10, 2023, at the Milton Fairgrounds. HDSA is excited to host this event live and in-person for the first time in 3 years, and is expecting over 1000 attendees. Mandy Ulcar, an HDSA parent and long-time walk supporter says, “We walk, we dance, we jump in bouncy castles, and have a party while raising money for Down syndrome. The walk enables HDSA to increase awareness about Down syndrome, and provide support to our community through education, advocacy, and programs.”
Annette Brown, HDSA board chair, adds, “This event is more than just a fundraiser, it incorporates all the things we are trying to do as an association. Yes, we raise a lot of money…we also make new community partners, we showcase our VIPs’ abilities, our association gets added exposure, our families get to celebrate together and, best of all, celebrate the beauty that is Down syndrome…it’s about so much more than the money.”
Make your own team, join a team or donate at: walk.haltondownsyndrome.com.
