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Clara Overland stops in the middle of playing with toys to smile at the camera. Clara was born with Down syndrome. Her mother, Kristin Overland, is one of the organizers for the Rock Your Socks walk in Albert Lea. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Pictured, from left, are Kara Paulson; Kristin Overland holding her daughter, Clara; and Paulson's daughter, Mya Heideman. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Mya Heideman, 12 1/2, holds Clara Overland, 19 months. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

"They’re just so full of joy,” Kristin Overland said of the children she has met with Down syndrome. Overland's daughter, Clara, was born with Down syndrome. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Mya Heideman helps Clara Overland dress up her babydoll as their mothers look on. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Clara Overland keeps Mya Heideman company while Mya counts during a game of hide and seek with Clara's older brother. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

“They’re more alike than different,” said Kara Paulson, another one of walk/run's organizers, about people with Down syndrome. Paulson’s daughter, Mya Heideman, also has Down syndrome. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

Mya Heideman plays with Clara Overland on Wednesday at the Overlands' home. - Colleen Harrison/Albert Lea Tribune

New event to focus on Down syndrome awareness

A new walk/run event organized to raise awareness of Down syndrome and support for families of children with the diagnosis will take place March 21 at Brookside Education Center.

The Rock Your Socks 3.21-mile walk/run is slated to begin at 9 a.m.

Kristin Overland, one of the organizers, said she and her family are relatively new to the Down syndrome community after the birth of their daughter, Clara, who is now 19 months old.

When they first received Clara’s diagnosis, she said they were scared and nervous, and didn’t know who to turn to who had been through the same experience.

In the months since, she has started meeting some of the parents of other children with Down syndrome in the community.

“They’re just so full of joy,” she said of the children she has met with the diagnosis.

Passionate about running, Overland said she thought the walk/run would be a good way to bring together families in the area who have children with Down syndrome, as well as other community members, for World Down Syndrome Day.

“They’re more alike than different,” said Kara Paulson, another one of the organizers, about people with the diagnosis. Paulson’s daughter, Mya Heideman, also has Down syndrome and is 12 1/2 and attending Southwest Middle School.

Overland and Paulson met through early childhood intervention with Albert Lea Area Schools, when Paulson made in-home visits for Overland’s daughter.

Overland said there are three types of Down syndrome with the most common being Trisomy 21, where there are three, rather than two, of the 21st chromosome.

The Rock Your Socks theme is in reference to the shape of chromosomes, and it is often common for people to wear brightly colored, striped or decorated socks for Down syndrome awareness.

Overland and Paulson said a freewill donation will be accepted at the event, with all proceeds going to support a new inclusive playground planned near City Arena in Albert Lea.

Paulson said they have tried to get a support group going for parents of children with Down syndrome in the past and may try to get that going again.

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