The rain didn't stop folks from reaching out to helping those with special needs.
Hundreds of your neighbors strapped on their walking shoes for the 2008 Buddy Walk.
The Buddy Walk is a chance for people to connect with those who have disabilities.
It's an afternoon of fun, games, and friendship, and a day designed for those with special needs.
They put one foot in front of the other, and with it, hundreds of lives are changed.
"To me she's just our kid, I don't know any different."
Wendy Porter is just one of the many parents whose child is living with Down Syndrome.
She says the walk is a special day that resonates through out the community.
"These are just normal every day kids," said Porter, "they can do everything anyone else can do, and its nice to see the community out here supporting that, and gaining that knowledge."
Everyone needs a buddy - the 2008 Buddy Walk pairs adults and children who have Downs Syndrome with a caring friend. Someone to learn about them and make them feel special.
"It feels great meeting new people and friends cause it just feels totally great."
"It makes me want to cry," said participant Jennifer Ellis. "Because I see new faces everyday and I have a nephew that has Down Syndrome so i know how the parents feel."
Bakersfield Police also participated in the event.
"This is our second year," said Andrea Pflugh of the Bakersfield Police Department. "It's two-fold: so that families can meet Rickey and see what she's about, and second because Rickey has the potential to find one of these children if they ever get lost."
AJ Camaro and son AJ Jr. is living with Down Syndrome, but he says his child is just like anyone else. "It's brining everyone together for a special cause. Down Syndrome children are blessed, its just love here."
Walking towards a common goal: promoting acceptance and understand of those with disabilities.
A change for disabled citizens to feel accepted, a feeling that organizers say is vital.
If you would like to learn more about the buddy walk, you can log on to their website at
http://www.buddywalk.orgThere are more than twenty buddy walks planned around California this month and many more nation wide.
Organizers want to remind you that you can make a difference and in the process make a new friend.
