It is hard to believe that there was a time before we had a Walk for Apraxia! 

In 2004, Sean Freiburger’s family found the Apraxia Kids website after attending a workshop that our former Vice President of Programs, Dave Hammer, held in Delaware. Three years later in 2007, Sean (age six at the time) saw a banner for a walk honoring a different medical condition and asked his mother, Sue, “When is the Walk for Apraxia?” This question sparked his mother to contact Apraxia Kids, CASANA at the time, about starting a walk to honor Apraxia Stars. 

At the time, Sean had no idea what a Walk for Apraxia would even look like, it was just important to him that there was a Walk for Apraxia. This first walk was an instant hit with over 300 people attending! This first walk later grew into what the Walk for Apraxia is today with over 60 in-person walk events throughout North America!  

One adult Apraxia Star, Aly Taylor, was 21 when she first discovered the Walk for Apraxia. At age 21, she had never met another person diagnosed with apraxia and decided to start the very first Atlanta Walk. Here, she met a seven year old, Aiden, who was her inspiration to keep going and continue to give back and make connections with the apraxia community. Aly has since joined the Board for Apraxia Kids where she continues to inspire others. Aly reflects on how the apraxia community has changed over the last 25 years and says, “My experience growing up with Apraxia is very different from what kids experience today, and that’s a beautiful thing. But even as things evolve, the need for awareness, access, and connection will always remain. I hope to continue supporting the next generation of families and children so they never have to feel alone in this journey.”

The Walk for Apraxia has truly become a celebration for Apraxia Stars and a place to find connection and community. It’s a huge party where everyone understands the apraxia diagnosis and wants to help make it a special day for everyone. Our marketing and design manager Audrey Swanderski reflects on her first Walk for Apraxia: “It truly gave me my purpose for working for Apraxia Kids. To be able to see how happy each Apraxia Star was and to be able to celebrate their hard work. I couldn’t wait an entire year for the next Pittsburgh Walk for Apraxia so I got in my car and drove to the Hershey Walk for Apraxia with my friends to celebrate there too!”. 

Sean says, “I would tell past Sean that he was a smart person coming up with the idea and that he has helped countless individuals and families”. To date the Walk for Apraxia has celebrated over 15,000 Apraxia Stars of all ages throughout the globe! Our Walk for Apraxia has even inspired families from around the world in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia and Germany to join the Virtual Walk! It also has become the largest fundraiser for Apraxia Kids, helping us to continue our mission and provide resources for families and professionals around the world. Find your local Walk for Apraxia: https://www.apraxia-kids.org/walk-for-apraxia-splash-page/