Walk for Apraxia benefits children with speech disorder

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Apraxia Kids’ Rhode Island Walk for Apraxia took place at Providence College’s Ray Treacy Track and Hendrickson Field Sunday.

Apraxia is a rare motor speech disorder that makes it difficult for an individual to speak.

“The brain knows what it wants to say, but the mouth says something completely different,” Apraxia Kids Board Chair Lou LaVecchia said.

LaVecchia said that this is the first time the walk has been held in Rhode Island since the Covid-19 pandemic, and that the organization expected between 50 and 100 participants to take part in the walk.

“We’re celebrating [the kids] and we do a walk to raise awareness and donations, which is vital to out organization,” he said.

LaVecchia added that 100 percent of the donations raised from the walk goes towards providing resources to children with the disorder, including intensive speech therapies.

“To be able to see the kids, from when they’re first diagnosed and then have to go through years of therapy, and then to be able to see them able to gain their life accomplishments, it’s such a great feeling,” he said.

More information about apraxia can be found on the Apraxia Kids website.