Meet Marley Duprey

October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. Our local Buddy Walk is set for Saturday at the Gulfport Sportsplex.

To help spread awareness, we’re sharing the story of children in our area with Down Syndrome. Today you’ll meet Marley Duprey.

“I feel like her having Down Syndrome just adds a little something extra to our family.” Marley Duprey is the youngest in the family of five. She plays a vital role as mediator between her two sisters. Brandy Duprey, Marley’s mom, said, “She is like the glue that holds everyone together. If anyone is fussing, she intervenes and fixes the problem.”

The six-year-old can’t help but see the good in everything. “She just makes you want to be a better person every day.”

When Brandy was pregnant, she saw the Down Syndrome soft markers which means there’s an increased likelihood of a chromosomal abnormality. “We just kind of give it to God and said “it is what it is.” If she’s going to be born with Down Syndrome then she will. For new moms, it can be a little scary, just the fear of the unknown, but I just tell them, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride because it’s going to be amazing.”

This Saturday, the Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society is hosting their annual Buddy Walk. It’s an event the Duprey family hasn’t missed for the past five years. “She loves it. She loves to run around and dance and enjoy everybody’s company.”

“This is the one day of the year when you can come out and show your support to the Down Syndrome community. For our children, like I said, it’s their day.”

It starts at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Gulfport Sportsplex. Mika Hartman with the Gulf Coast Down Syndrome Society said, “It will be a drive-thru parade. So, all of our children will drive through cars. So, you can wave at them. You’ll be able to show love from a distance and show your support.”

The event is free, but you can always provide a donation, funds raised help support our local Down Syndrome community.