An event to allow the community to step up for and celebrate the lives of children with Down syndrome will be held Oct. 8 at McNeese State University.

“The Stepping Up 4 Down Syndrome walk was organized to help raise funds and promote awareness and acceptance,” said Up 4 Downs of Southwest Louisiana board member Melanie Sarro. “It’s just a little walk around the campus, and then we go inside where there is a DJ, food, entertainment, jumps, face painting and other things like that.”

Sarro said Up 4 Downs of Southwest Louisiana was started by a mother of a child with the genetic chromosomal disorder who wanted to provide support and education to stricken children’s family members.

Besides offering support to families, the funds raised will go to providing a book developed by the organization to help new parents of Down syndrome children and allow the organization to hold social gatherings and celebrate world Down Syndrome Day in March, Sarro said.

“We don’t necessarily have a goal,” she said. “We just hope that people come out and it gets bigger and bigger every year — it’s grown every year since it started.”

Chereth and Matt Caldwell are the parents of Karsyn, a Down syndrome child.

They have five other children — Cason, Tristyn, Corbin, Makenzie and Brock.

Chereth said her life changed 15 months ago when Karsyn was born.

“When the doctor told us our baby girl had Down syndrome, it rocked my world. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions, concerns and fear of the unknown,” Caldwell said. “I can’t imagine living a day without her being a part of our family. Karsyn is an amazing little girl. She is the happiest little girl I have ever been around. She always has a smile on her face.”

Caldwell said she was introduced to Early Steps shortly after Karsyn was born. The program offers occupational, physical and speech therapy for children with Down syndrome.

“Her occupational therapist, Melanie Sarro, has been a godsend to me,” Caldwell said. “She has a little boy with Down syndrome, and talking to someone else who has gone through the same thing and seeing how amazing Carter is changed my whole outlook on what it would be like to raise a daughter with Down syndrome.”

Before Karsyn, Caldwell said she had never been around anyone with the disorder and wanted to participate in the Step Up 4 Down walk.

“It was really new to me, and I wanted to see other people with Down syndrome and get aquatinted with it, and I wanted to walk in celebration of Karsyn,” she said.

Caldwell said she and her family attended the walk last year and found another support system.

“It was so great to see so many other individuals with Down syndrome who have accomplished so much and to meet their wonderful families,” Caldwell said. “Having a great support system is so important. They encouraged me not to set any limits on what Karsyn can achieve. I would encourage new parents to reach out and meet these awesome kids.”

Caldwell said she has learned a lot from Karsyn.

“So many things we take for granted she has to work so hard for, but she never quits trying,” she said.

Caldwell said her daughter recently started crawling and exploring.

“She loves books, and she loves playing with her brothers and sisters,” she said. “They all treat her like the princess that she is. She has brought so much joy to our family.”

Caldwell said she believes Karsyn will do amazing things.

“There are no limitations on what she will accomplish,” she said. “She has so many people cheering her on.”

Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. at the McNeese State Sports Complex.

The fee for individuals is $10, for families of two, $20; families of three, $25; and families of four, $30.

To register or join a team, visit www.firstgiving. com/up4downswla or contact Debbie Seaux at 582-6138.

For more information, visit www.up4downswla.org.