Benefitting the Apraxia Programs and Reseach of CASANA
About the National Walk for Children with Apraxia
It all started in 2008 when 7 year old Sean Freiburger was traveling through a park near his home in Pittsburgh. Sean, who has had over 650 hours of speech therapy for his diagnosis of severe speech apraxia, saw a sign for a walk-a-thon and asked his mother what it was. Sue Freiburger, Sean's mom, told him that people were gathering together to walk and help others. Sean immediately said, "Why can't we do that for apraxia?" Given that just a few years earlier, Sue was not sure she would ever hear Sean speak at all, much less understand his questions, told him with a teary-eyed smile, "Yes, we can!"
Under Sue's leadership and Sean's inspiration, the first walk happened on October 18, 2008 in Pittsburgh, PA with Sean leading over 300 walkers in his effort to raise awareness about childhood apraxia of speech and funds for the apraxia programs and research sponsored by CASANA, the only national nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to children with apraxia and their families (see Sean in the photos below). Two additional sites across the United States also participated, Seattle and Cheasapeake, Virginia. All told, over 350 walkers raised $33,000!
The 2009 Walk-a-thon for Children with Apraxia exceeded everyone’s wildest dreams with 13 walk sites and countless “virtual walks”, over 2500 walkers raising over $200,000 for CASANA. Thanks to them, new projects are being funded and research grants can continue! And most importantly, more than any other activity EVER, awareness was raised in many communities about these special kids and their needs.
The 2010 Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech promises to be even larger. We hope you will join in this amazing event! No matter if you want to organize a small walk (1 - 25 walkers) of family, friends, and/or neighbors or a large walk of 50 walkers or more, we can assist you. Plus you can participate in the VIRTUAL WALK FOR APRAXIA. The virtual walk allows anyone interested to register as a walker, receive the official walk t-shirt, and walk in the neighborhood or a local park whenever it is convenient. This is a great way to spread awareness no matter where you live.
 How to Participate in the Walk
Register a site for the Walk-a-thon for Children with Apraxia
Walk-a-thon Information Packet
Walk-a-thon Forms
Where the Money Goes?
Share This Information with Others!!
Photos from 2008 Walk for Children with Apraxia
2010 WALK SITES (Walk web sites will be activated in the Spring 2010):
Apraxia Resource Center of CT - Sunday, May 23, 2010, Osbourndale Park, Derby, CT
Botwood Walk for Apraxia - Saturday, June 12, 2010, Botwood, Newfoundland, Canada
Central Ohio Walk for Apraxia - Saturday, September 25, 2010, Dawes Arboretum, Newark, OH
Des Moines, Iowa Walk for Apraxia - Saturday, October 16, 2010, Gray's Lake Walking Trail-SE corner, Des Moines, IA
Pittsburgh Area Walk for Apraxia - Saturday, October 2, 1010, North Park, Pittsburgh, PA
More coming soon!
How to Participate in the Walk for Children with Apraxia
Register a Walk-a-thon for Children with Apraxia
Those who register their local walk with us will have their very own walk-a-thon page with access to fundraising tools to register local walkers. We are hoping for most walks to occur before October 31, 2010. Simply complete the Walk-a-thon Site Registration Form and CASANA will be in touch with you regarding your walk-a-thon plans. We are here to help you!
We welcome Apraxia Walks of all sizes, including the "virtual walk." A Virtual Walk is less "formal" and can be planned for 1 - 25 people who are just your close family, friends, or neighbors who agree to walk together at a central location on a specific date in order to help raise awareness and help raise funds for CASANA's Apraxia programs and research.
Apraxia Walk-a-thon Forms
2010 Apraxia Walk-a-thon Help Packet- Download this packet for all information related to registering and conducting a walk-a-thon for children with apraxia.
Apraxia Walk-a-thon Timeline Forms - download the timeline for the walk you hope to have in your community in order to stay aware of tasks that need accomplished.
Apraxia Walk Sponsorhip Form - Download this form to secure sponsors for your walk or run.
In-Kind Donation Form- Use this form for companies or individuals who want to donate items such as water, food, prizes, etc. We can make sure their gift is acknowledged.
Where the Money Goes?
CASANA is a public charity and must raise the majority of its funds through donations. In addition to assuring ongoing programs continue, CASANA's board of directors voted to use Walk fund for the following projects in 2010:
- Ongoing funding for the Apraxia Treatment Research Fund - Very little research exists on appropriate and best treatment for children with apraxia of speech. CASANA funds pilot research grants so that researchers can begin studies to best help children as early as possible.
- Apraxia Child Research Registry- A new program, CASANA is establishing an online searchable database research registry so that researchers are able to identify children for participation in qualified research projects to further understanding about the causes and nature of CAS. In particular we will seek children with known genetic, metabolic, or neuroanatomical findings. As interest in CAS research heightens based on the growing availability of advanced genetic and imaging technology, CASANA will be on the forefront of research support.
- Multimedia Education Projects - CASANA is using walk funds to create educational DVDs and products to further teach parents and professionals about childhood apraxia of speech.
- Training for future SLPs - Most who graduate from a Master's program in Speech-Language Pathology have had minimal if any exposure to childhood apraxia of speech, its assessment, or its treatment. This is part of an isidious problem which leads to unprepared professionals. Walk funds are being used to create more opportunities for students and practicing SLPS so that our children with apraxia receive the best possible treatment.
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