Walk for Apraxia held in Bend to bring awareness of speech disorder, raise funds and support families

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bend's third annual Walk for Apraxia event took place Sunday, to raise awareness about the motor speech disorder. It was held at the Healing Reins Therapeutic Riding Center, where families gathered for this year's event. 

"Apraxia is a neurological motor movement," said Natosha Frandsen, Deschutes County Walk for Apraxia Coordinator. "It's a speech disorder to their mouth. They have to do intensive speech therapy, so it's three to five times a week, so that can be pretty costly."

The walk benefits children in finding their voice and raises awareness about apraxia. 

Liam Faulk said, "For all the kids with apraxia, let's take care of them."

Jasmyn Faulk's son, Liam, is 9 years old and has apraxia, for which there is no cure. 

"I would care that people take the time to be patient with kids who have apraxia or any other speech delay, because it's just it's hard for them," Faulk said. "It is frustrating for them to get their words out, as it is difficult for people to understand them."

The purpose of the walk is to raise funds for the nonprofit Apraxia Kids. The money goes toward families, providing support in paying for  speech therapy and speech talking tablets to help children communicate with others.

Frandsen said, "Trying to raise the funds for the children and their families with professionals. We know that they can be very difficult to deal with things, in certain times. We know that their struggles can be something that we can help out."

 The group's fundraising goal for Deschutes County by year's end is $5,000. So far, they have raised $1,300.