May 14, 2019 is officially "Apraxia Awareness Day"

Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) is a neurological speech disorder in which children have difficulty planning and programming complex movement sequences underlying speech production. 1-2 children out of 1000 are affected by CAS. Children suffering from CAS have a hard time figuring out which words to use and in which order. What sounds in what order, to say each word. Also what mouth parts need to move which muscles in what order. CAS not only affects the children's lives but it truly impacts the lives of the entire family.

Tonight at the Village Board meeting there was a proclamation signed to make May 14, Apraxia Awareness day. Two of our children here in Manhattan that are affected by CAS were present in front of the Board and residents to receive copies of the Proclamation from Mayor James Doyle, and they are fifth grader Matthew Cernauskas and third grader Amber Crawford, I spoke to Amber's mom Debbie Smith about how CAS has affected their lives and she said , "I know first hand when you begin your journey with Apraxia so many questions go through your mind. All of the fears you have regarding the struggles they will face. The frustration and the helplessness. Not being able to understand your own child. Realizing there are so many other things that come along with them having Apraxia like doctor after doctor appointments, IEP's, sensory issues and muscle cramping. Trying not to smile when the teacher tells you she spoke out of turn. The day Siri finally understands her speech and it's like the biggest thing since Mac n Cheese!" When I talked to Amy Cernauskas, Matthew's mother, she said "Both of these children have fought so hard the past few years to go from being non-verbal to chatting away! We are so proud of them!" At the meeting Amber read a letter in front of a large crowd of onlookers. Matthew passed out Apraxia Awareness bracelets to the Board members and some of the kids in the audience, that read "One Word at a Time". After they were done they both received a very large applause from the crowd of Manhattan residents that were all just so proud of these two children also.

Illinois has proclaimed Apraxia Awareness Day for the past few years as well as Chicago. The Village of New Lenox will be signing their proclamation next week.

Amber Crawford will be hosting a bake sale out in front of our Manhattan Ace Hardware on May 14th from 4pm to 6pm. These families will also be a part of a fundraiser in the months ahead for the September walk for Apraxia at Soldier Field.