Sale benefits Down Syndrome research

COLUMBUS - Hoping to make a difference in her godson's life and in others like him, Betty Bender held a special sale at her Columbus business.

The two-day “garage sale” at The Designer's Inn, which concluded Saturday, raised money for Down Syndrome research.

Bender and other members of her family started the sale in honor of her niece's son, Sebastian Hoppens.

Bender is the godmother of the 3-year-old of Ogallala. She said Sebastian is a special little guy.

“He is a beautiful young man and is full of life and is always happy,” Bender said.

Sebastian is the youngest of eight and is the son of Brad and Jane Hoppens. Bender said she was speaking with one of her daughters about having a garage sale to sell off some antiques and used furniture when the idea came up to use the money to give to the National Down Syndrome Society.

People born with Down Syndrome have an extra chromosome that causes physical and cognitive delays. Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal abnormality and one in every 733 babies are born with it in the United States.

Those with Down Syndrome have increased risks of some medical conditions like congenital heart defects, respiratory and hearing problems, Alzheimer's disease, childhood leukemia and thyroid conditions, according to the National Down Syndrome Society Web site.

Down Syndrome traits include low muscle tone, small stature, an upward slant to the eyes and a single deep crease across the center of the palm.

Life expectancy for someone with Down Syndrome is 56 years.

Bender's husband, Ken, along with their children, Kathy Sloggett and her husband, Mike, of Castle Rock, Colo.; Joni Richter of Lincoln; Jackie Wattam of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; and Michael Bender, and Vicki Bender, both of Columbus, were helping at the sale.

Ken Bender also held a tool sale on Friday and Saturday to help raise funds.

Betty Bender said they hoped to raise $10,000-$15,000.

Richter said her parents have always had a giving heart and the sale idea was further proof of that. The sale will not only give money to help with research that could one day help Sebastian, but also help other families as well.

The sale comes along at a good time. October is National Down Syndrome Awareness Month. As part of the month, a Buddy Walk to promote acceptance of people with Down Syndrome was developed. Walks are held across the country, including in New York City.

As part of that walk, selected photos are shown on a video in Times Square. A photo of Sebastian will be among those shown.

Betty Bender said she gets to see Sebastian five or six times a year and wants his future to be bright. Hopefully with the money raised through her sale, more research can be accomplished.

“I know they are doing a lot of research now on chromosomes. I hope that research can be done in his lifetime and that he can lead a normal life,” Bender said.