Editor’s Note: This is the second installment of a series on north Okaloosa County residents with Down syndrome.

CRESTVIEW — Life for Danny Parker is much like that for anyone else. He gets up, sometimes takes a spin on his four-wheeler, reports to work and comes home to his family.

Having Down syndrome hasn't deterred him, Parker's family members say. To his customers in the Wal-Mart garden center, he's another helpful employee.

"I never thought about it much," Paige Parker, his older sister, said. "There's five kids in the family and we didn't treat him any different than anyone else. He was aggravating at times and loving at times, just like any other brother."

Danny Parker has worked at Wal-Mart for 20 years, and is well known to many shoppers. With a restricted driver’s license, he is often able to drive himself to and from work.

"The customers love Danny," Paige said. "He has regular customers who come in and ask for him. Wal-Mart's been very good to them.”

Among the accomplishments that bring him the most pride is having worked hard to earn his black belt in taekwondo.

"It was awesome," he said.

Through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the 1993 Crestview High School alumnus did mission work in Tallahassee soon after graduation.

"I learned a lot, but there are things I could've done better," Danny said, reflecting on the months he spent away from his family.

Their brother's spirit sometimes inspires family members, Paige Parker said. Danny has begun a book project, compiling stories of his life shared by friends and family members.

It is tentatively titled after a comment he once made, she said.

"We do kind of joke about it," she said. "He told a doctor he used to have Down syndrome, but he grew out of it. 'I used to have Down syndrome.' It's no big deal to him."

"I'm as normal as anybody I know," Danny said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview man: 'I used to have Down syndrome'

FORT WALTON BEACH — More than 200 Okaloosa and Walton County residents joined the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s Oct. 12 at Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin. Participants raised more than $23,000 to fund Alzheimer's care, support and research programs.

Participants completed the 3-mile walk and learned more about Alzheimer’s disease and the association’s role in the fight against it, including the latest about Alzheimer’s research and current clinical trials, how they can become involved in advocacy efforts at home and in Washington, D.C., and the association’s support programs and services. 

The event also included an emotional tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Walk to End Alzheimer’s nets more than $23K

NICEVILLE — Superior Residences of Niceville’s inaugural “Miles of Memories,” a 5K Run/Walk and 1-Mile Walk, is at 8 a.m. Nov. 9 at its memory care facility, 2300 N. Partin Drive. All proceeds remain in Okaloosa and Walton Counties to serve families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Early registration is $20 for the 5K run/walk or $10 for the 1-mile walk, with same-day registration going up to $25 and $15. Registration fees include an event T-shirt, goodie bag and a post-race celebration featuring food, drinks, music and awards. A special memory lap will allow Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones to participate together in a meaningful way. There is no cost for the memory lap.

Participants and teams can sign up at the Niceville Miles of Memories website or pick up registration forms at Superior Residences and Covenant Hospice branch offices in Crestview (4100 S. Ferdon Blvd.) and Fort Walton Beach (220 Eglin Parkway NE).

Online registration closes at 8 a.m. Nov. 8. Advance race packet pickup will be from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 7 at Helen Back Again in Niceville or packets can be picked up beginning at 7 a.m. on race day.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Inaugural ‘Miles of Memories’ 5K benefits Alzheimer’s Family Services

Editor’s Note: This is the first installment of a series on north Okaloosa County residents with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk is Oct. 26 in DeFuniak Springs.

CRESTVIEW — Benjamin Shea, at 13 months old, is pretty much like any other toddler.

"He laughs the same, he cries the same, he teethes the same,” Benji's mother, Stefanie Shea, said. “He has the same stubborn streak as his brother and sister."

But Benji, as his family calls him, has Down syndrome.

Stefanie and her husband, Chris, knew Benji was going to be special when prenatal screenings came back positive for the genetic disorder that affects development.

"We knew we were going to be blessed," Stefanie said.

While life is as routine in the Shea household as it was when Benji's 2-year-old brother, Logan, was his age, there are a few extra challenges, including physical therapy and other medical appointments, Stefanie said.

When Benji reaches 3 years old, he'll enter school at the same time as Logan, though he'll be in a special needs program. It will "help him stay in line with his intellectual and physical development," Stefanie said.

However, having a child with Down syndrome is no burden, Stefanie and Chris stress. Life remains a typical family's whirlwind of activity, including runny noses, trips to the zoo and shopping.

"We really plan to raise him with the same discipline and the same love," Stefanie said. "There will be the same consistency at home."

The Sheas are putting together a team for the National Down Syndrome Society’s Buddy Walk, which is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 26  at Walton County High School in DeFuniak Springs.

 "We have our own team registered for the Buddy Walk," Stefanie said. "It's called Bennie and Jets. We are very excited."

Potential donors, supporters or new team members can call Stefanie Shea, 902-2313, for more information.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview mom: Life with Benjamin 'not that different than life with a typical child'

BAKER —  Crestview residents Patsy and Clifford Bean were just a few of the residents who attended the Shady Grove Helping Hands Community Fair on Thursday at Shady Grove Assembly of God Church.

"We were just so impressed with what we learned," Patsy Bean said.

While learning about Medicare’s open enrollment — Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, the one chance to change health and prescription drug coverage for many Medicare-eligible residents — she learned about her rehabilitation options.

"I had a knee injury and I am facing surgery," she said. "I didn't know that, with some of these home health places, you could do your rehab at home."

Clifford Bean received a free landline phone,specialized for the hearing impaired, from CIL Disability Resource Center.

Baker resident Jim Melton, 73, also left the event reassured after receiving a good score from a memory test.  

"I'm getting at that age where I need to know," he said. "I'm always interested in my health."

In addition to checking his blood pressure, Melton received information on hospice care for some elderly relatives.

"Someone told me it was really expensive, but a (vendor) in there told they would evaluate you at no cost," he said.

Connecting residents with necessary resources and information was the goal, said event organizer Paula Horton of Okaloosa Regional Home Health Services.

"There are resources out there; you just have to find them," she said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents informed, ‘impressed’ during Baker health fair