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On Monday, Â鶹app was Connecting North Alabama through children focused nonprofits.

Few things in life are more terrifying than being told your baby will be born with Down syndrome. The North Alabama Chapter of Bringing Up Down Syndrome works to dispel those fears-- and lets families know they're not alone on their journey, helping them understand that raising a child with Down syndrome can be a joyful experience.

At 13 weeks pregnant, Caneilia Patterson was told her son would have Down syndrome.

"It does send you into a tailspin at first, because most people don't know what Down syndrome is," said Patterson. 

That's when she found North Alabama's BUDS Chapter.

"When the day came that he was born, we had this whole little community and brand new family that were there surrounding us and supporting us," said Patterson. 

Ensuring families, like Patterson's don't walk alone.

"This organization was very vital in letting us know, you know it's just a different journey. It's still your child and it's going to be filled with lots of wonderful positive moments in your life and it's good to have that when there can be so much negative out there and it's helpful to know you're not alone," said Patterson. 

BUDS also provides yearly mini-grants for families who apply to assist them with expenses such as medical bills, adaptive equipment, hearing aids and specialized programs.

Their biggest fundraiser is the Buddy Walk, which unites families from Florence to Scottsboro and everywhere in between.

Patterson now serves as a co-president for the chapter and is an advocate for others.

"My son is in school right now among his peers and learning right along with them, and he still has value and these can be some of the most blessed people to have in your life," she said with a smile. "They can bring something that nobody else can bring."

Just this year, Club 321 was launched and is focused on keeping teens 13 and up interactive and connected.