2010 Chicago Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech
Benefitting Apraxia Programs and Research
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2010
Ty Warner Park
Corner of Plaza Drive and Blackhawk Drive
Westmont, Illinois 60559
http://www.wpd4fun.org/Parks/Ty-Warner-Park.htm
Onsite check in and registration is at 9 AM; the Walk will start at 10 AM.
It all began with a click of the mouse… Our Windy City/Chicagoland Apraxia Network started eleven years ago with a small meeting of parents. We are now over 400 strong in Chicagoland with families from all parts of Illinois, northern Indiana, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Michigan. While our geography differs, all our needs are the same: to learn more about apraxia of speech, its symptoms, area resources, how to get an accurate diagnosis, how to move on with hope for the future and support each other.
Most families greet an apraxia diagnosis with: “What’s that?” Our mission for this walk is not only to bring awareness to the frustration and isolation created by this very rare communication disorder through our local support, but to also give back to the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) and its affiliate Apraxia-Kids: two organizations that have helped hundreds of families in the Chicagoland area through some extremely difficult times at home, in school, and in their communities.
What does this walk mean to us? In 2009, we had more than 300 walkers and donors help us raise more than $38,000 for CASANA’s programs and Apraxia Treatment Research fund. Additionally, funds are being used to begin an extensive Apraxia Research Registry and create educational materials and formats which have been and will be provided to our local group.
Please join us on our 1 mile walk around Ty Warner Park in Westmont. This is a family and stroller friendly park with wide open spaces, a huge sand pit and fun playground equipment for all ages. We invite you, your family, your friends, your neighbors, your co-workers, your speech therapists, your child’s teachers… EVERYONE touched by your child and family...to walk with us in support and to build awareness. There will be plenty of food, drink and entertainment along with some additional information for families looking for local resources.
If you register by September 24, 2010, you will receive a Walk for Apraxia t-shirt at the registration table on Walk Day. If you cannot walk with us in person, please consider sponsoring a walker or making a donation through our walk website. Thank you for helping this great cause.
~ Michele Brady Kowalski, Barbara Matt, Holly Olmsted-Hickey
Coordinators of the 2010 Windy City/Chicagoland Apraxia Walk
