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FRIENDS-Support Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that educates the public about people who suffer from Down Syndrome and supports families who have members with Down Syndrome, is hosting a Buddy Cruise in October in honor of National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. And, among the speakers during the cruise is a Sesame Street writer, who will attend with her son.Down Syndrome is a genetic disorder that is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome, which results in varying degrees of physical and mental abnormality. It occurs in one out of every 733 live births. More than 350,000 people in the U.S. have this genetic condition. The cruise, co-hosted by local Cruise Planners agent Sherry Leybovich, is an effort to raise awareness, advocacy and acceptance of children and adults with Down Syndrome, says FishHawk resident Pam Arnoldson, the organization's president.Arnoldson, whose 4-year-old son Joseph has Down Syndrome, says the idea for the cruise originated from her two older children. "It came out of the mouths of babes," she laughs.The three-night Bahamian cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line's Sovereign of the Seas sets sail on October 17 from Port Canaveral. Rates start at $278.65 per person with discounts for the third and fourth person in the room.In addition to the accommodations, the all-you-can eat buffets and the sun and fun, special entertainment will be provided by Sujeet Desai, a 26-year-old accomplished musician born with Down syndrome. The cruise will also feature STAND vice president Nikole Whitehead, who will share her experiences with educating a child with special needs and Emily Perl Kingsley, a long-time writer on Sesame Street and activist for children with disabilities. Arnoldson, who was the first to sign up for the cruise, says families are booking the trip from South Carolina and the Dakotas as well as Canada and Jamaica."This is a good opportunity for families who share a similar bond to come together for a special vacation and at the same time take advantage of learning opportunities," says Arnoldson.Vice president Theresa Mastella, whose 4-year-old son, Anthony, has Down syndrome, has already reserved her cabin. She wants her child to participate in the evening story times, hopefully opening up the event to all children a board the ship. Corporate sponsorships are also available. For more information about the cruise, visit www.buddycruise.com or call Cruise Planners at 657-0844. For information about the group, visit www.friends-support.org or contact Arnoldson at 651-0541.
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