About 180 people from across Vermont gathered in Burlington’s Battery Park on Sunday, September 26, for the annual Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk.

Kids VT multimedia journalist Cat Cutillo recorded the event and spoke with participants about why they walked.

About 180 people from across Vermont gathered in Burlington’s Battery Park on Sunday, September 26, for the annual Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk. Credit: Cat Cutillo
Justin McQuiston holds his puppet socks named Took and Deeze at the Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk on September 26, 2021, in Burlington. Credit: Cat Cutillo
Caroline McNamara stands with her sister and father at the Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk on September 26, 2021, in Burlington. Credit: Cat Cutillo
Lizzy Bube and her mom, Adria, traveled to the the Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk in Burlington from Randolph, VT, on September 26, 2021. Credit: Cat Cutillo
Thomas Mentzer and his sister, Megan, came from Ferrisburgh to attend the Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk on September 26, 2021, in Burlington. Credit: Cat Cutillo
Sophia Russotti Pigeon and her mom, Janice Russotti, at the Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk on September 26, 2021, in Burlington. Credit: Cat Cutillo
About 180 people from across Vermont gathered in Burlington’s Battery Park on Sunday, September 26, for the annual Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk. Credit: Cat Cutillo
About 180 people from across Vermont gathered in Burlington’s Battery Park on Sunday, September 26, for the annual Champlain Valley Down Syndrome Group Buddy Walk. Credit: Cat Cutillo

Cat is a multimedia journalist for Seven Days and Kids VT. Her multimedia storytelling series Vermont Visionaries spotlights role models and people inspiring kids. The video series also appears on WCAX.