On October 3rd, hundreds gathered to participate in the Third Annual ‘Smart Walk for Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities’ at Westport’s Sherwood Island State Park. The festive event raised over $26,000 to support the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities nonprofit organization, which helps children with learning and attention differences reach their full potential by inspiring and educating their parents.
“Today is about celebrating the strengths of children who in the eyes of many have a disability, but have found ways to overcome their differences and gone on to succeed,” said Chris Bogart, Board Chair.
Over 200 parents, children and engaged community members came together to make connections, raise awareness and to celebrate the strides of children with learning differences. With perfect weather for a walk by the beach, the day featured crafts, games, refreshments, touch-a-truck, prizes, speakers and performances. Personnel from schools specializing in serving children with learning disabilities were also on-hand to provide information.
Robert Tudisco, a nationally known disability rights attorney for Barger & Gaines with offices in Norwalk, led the walk’s opening ceremony.
“From a parents’ perspective, when you come to an event like this and you meet educators, administrators, and you meet with the individual students, you realize that there’s an enormous amount of comfort in knowing that you’re not alone,” said Tudisco.
An important point from the day was the recognition that learning disabilities are not deficits in intelligence, but rather deficits in performance, and that with support, students can maximize their potential and may go on to accomplish great things.
With that conviction as their mission, the Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities organization offers educational and youth mentoring programs, parent networking support, and extensive, award-winning digital resources for families. The organization has become a go-to resource for parents of children with learning disabilities.
“The work they do is so very important, because part of helping children is educating adults. People develop differently and when you can identify someone early on that might have a disability, you can start putting together the resources that child may need,” said Rilling.
Ashley Raymond, a student at Western Connecticut State University who also has dyslexia, was the keynote speaker saying that the battle to learn to read also provided gifts. The performance major shared that pretending to read in elementary school was the start of her acting training and a driver in her passion for the craft.
Students from Norwalk’s Crystal Theater, a Fairfield County premiere children theater group, provided musical entertainment, and a tai chi demonstration was presented. Local author Melissa Shapiro, DVM, of Westport, also appeared with her inspiring deaf, blind, and pink puppy, Piglet.
“Piglet is an ambassador for people and animals with disabilities. Dogs are an extraordinary vehicle for teaching acceptance, inclusion, empathy and kindness, and we’re happy to support this organization as it fits with our mission,” said Shapiro.
“We are grateful to our supporters, volunteers, and sponsors who helped to make this event such a success,” said Jane Ross, Executive Director of Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities, Inc. “Today was an important opportunity for families to understand that they are part of a community that is to be celebrated.”
Smart Kids with Learning Disabilities would like to thank its generous sponsors including Silver Sponsors: The Jay & Sari Canell Family Foundation and the Wooster School Bridge Program; Bronze Sponsors: The Southport School, Wilson & Son Jewelers of Scarsdale, the O'Hare Family, The Gow School, Gray Matters, Anxiety Institute, Winston Preparatory School, Ring’s End Inc., Windward School and Cajal Academy; Radio Broadcast Sponsor WSHU and exclusive magazine sponsor Moffly Media.
photo credit Suzanne M. Sheridan Photography