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). Since then the Walk for Apraxia has spread all over the country and includes more than 4000 walkers. Coming back for a second year in 2010, The Chicago Walk for Apraxia was the top fundraiser thanks to Walk Coordinators Michele Brady Kowalski, Barbara Matt, and Holly Olmsted-Hickey. Jack's Run/Walk - Bridgewater, NJ Walk was the next top fundraiser, thanks to parent Maryanne Craft! CASANA will do a free Apraxia 101 Training in their communities.
The 2011 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
2011 Walk Site Locations - Find A Walk Near You!
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!!
Go to the main Walk for Children with Apraxia website
2011 WALK SITES (New ones are being added all the time!)
More and more communities are joining in! See below for all the walks, listed by Country and State. IF THERE IS NO WALK IN YOUR COMMUNITY, TRY A VIRTUAL WALK!
CANADA
Newfoundland
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Newfoundland Walk for Apraxia
Keyin College
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland
Walk webpage
Ontario
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Ontario Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech
Waterloo Public Square
Waterloo, Ontario
Walk webpage
UNITED STATES
Arkansas
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Arkansas Walk for Apraxia
Lake Wedington Recreation Area
Fayetteville AR
Walk webpage
California
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Fresno Walk for Apraxia
Woodward Park
Fresno, CA
Walk webpage
Colorado
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Denver CO Apraxia Walk
Lake Arbor Park
Denver, CO
Walk webpage
Connecticut
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Connecticut Walk for Apraxia
Osbornedale State Park
Derby, CT
Walk webpage
Florida
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Ormond Beach Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech
Central Park
Ormond Beach, FL
Walk website
Idaho
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Idaho Walk for Children with Apraxia
Horseshoe Bend High School Track
Horseshoe Bend, ID
Walk webpage
Indiana
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Evansville, IN Walk for Children with Apraxia
Garvin Park
Evansville, IN
Walk webpage
Michigan
Sunday, September 11, 2011
2nd Annual Detroit Walk for Apraxia
University of Michigan- Dearborn Campus
Dearborn, MI
Walk webpage
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Adrian Michigan Walk for Apraxia
Christian Family Center
Adrian, MI
Walk webpage
Minnesota
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Minnesota Walk for Children with Apraxia
Normandale Lake Park- West Grounds
Bloomington, MN
Walk webpage
Missouri
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Kansas City Walk for Children with Apraxia
Waterfall Park
Independence, MO
Walk webpage
New Hampshire
Saturday, September 17, 2011
New Hampshire Walk for Children with Apraxia
Great Common Island
New Castle, NH
Walk Webpage
New Jersey
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Jacks 5K Run/Walk for Apraxia
Duke Island Park
Bridgewater, NJ
Walk webpage
Ohio
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Cleveland Walk for Apraxia
Osborn Park
Huron, OH
Walk webpage
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Central Ohio Area Walk for Apraxia
Dawes Arboretum
Newark, OH
Walk webpage
Pennsylvania
Sunday June 5, 2011
Philadelphia Area Walk/Run/Family Fun Day for Apraxia
Valley Forge Educational Services Campus
Malvern, PA
Walk website
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Allentown Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech
Lehigh Parkway
Allentown, PA
Walk Website
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Pittsburgh Area Walk for Children with Apraxia
North Park
Pittsburgh, PA
Walk website (coming soon)
Tennessee
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Run for Shawn- Tennessee Walk/Run for Apraxia
Panther Creek State Park
Morristown, TN
Walk website (coming soon)
Utah
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Utah Walk for Children with Apraxia of Speech
Bountiful City Park
Bountiful, UT
Walk website
Virginia
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Virginia Beach CJ's Walk for Apraxia
Mt. Trashmore Park
Virginia Beach, VA
Walk webpage
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 from May 15 through October 31, 2011. 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
(2011 Forms are coming soon!)
2011 Apraxia Walk 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 Sponsorship 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. Our Intensive Training Institute is a new program in which we hope to produce more "master clinicians" in whom families can place their confidence.
Spread the Word - Use the "Share" Button below to spread the word about the Apraxia Walk-a-thon!
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