The 2019 A Million Things I Need to Say Walk and Run for Stuttering Awareness took place in Toronto on September 22nd, and in St. John's September 29th, and brought out people who stutter, their friends and family and speech language pathologists to enjoy a day of exercise, music, fun and barbecue.
Founded by Greg O'Grady in 2011, the event raises money to give financial assistance to people who need speech therapy, and to raise awareness about stuttering.
A Need to Give Back
Greg O'Grady started the event in order to give back to the Speech and Stuttering Institute (SSI) and support them in their treatment services to people who stutter. Loriellen Karam who works at SSI helps organize the Walk. Since then thousands of dollars have been raised to go towards a grant program, so SSI can help as many people as possible.This year, thee Toronto event raised over $16,000.00! When Greg moved back to his home province of Newfoundland, he started a stuttering organization and a Walk there too.
The Toronto Event
and Neil Driscoll
The event in Toronto was a smash with perfect weather and a delicious hamburger barbecue. Bob Kroll, the long time former executive director of SSI spoke, as well as Frank Ientile, the current director. Speech-Language Pathologist and person who stutters Richard Holmes, active in the stuttering community, spoke about upcoming self-help groups for people who stutter, and Lisa Wilder reminded everybody about the Canadian Stuttering Association conference on October 19th. George Shields of Harmonize for Speech, a supporter of people who stutter for decades, was also in attendance. You can read more about the event and see more photos here.
The St. John's Event
for Stuttering Awareness
The Newfoundland Stuttering Association held their event a week later. Everyone had fun despite a bit of rain! The St. John's event raised money for the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists and will also help provide speech therapy to people who stutter.
There were a few guest speakers in attendance. Councillor Debbie Hanlon brought greetings on behalf of Mayor Breen and the City of St. John’s Council; Councillor Andrea Power brought greetings on behalf of Mayor David Aker. Also out for the day was Charles Murphy, Co-Founder of Raise Up Fundraising and our Walk & Run Presenting Sponsor; Cecil Haire, CBC Reporter and Allison O’Brien, NLSA Executive and Founding Member. It was a beautiful walk/run in Bowring Park, Bob Whelan Field in St. John’s, followed by food and refreshments with party music, and an exciting raffle.
We look forward to next year for more fun Walk events!