The 10th annual WalkRite for RiteCare was a wonderful success on June 23rd at Lake Zorinsky’s Picnic Pavilion. The weather was a perfect 79°, as we welcomed 150 RiteCare families, the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute staff and faculty, and Scottish Rite Masons and their families to Lake Zorinsky’s picnic pavilion for the Walk.

While WalkRite for RiteCare has a goal of fundraising for the Clinic, the Walk has also become an effort to celebrate our RiteCare families and give them a fun event, where they can simply enjoy the morning and fun activities with their kids.

Once again, the women of the UNO Nebraska Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSHLA) hosted a table with activities for the kids, including face painting and games, and Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA) brought therapy ponies for the children to pet. The Culinary Masters grilled hamburgers and hotdogs.

T.J. Brumfield, 32° and Sarah Brumfield came with their kids - daughter Eva has worked with Paul Laikko at the Clinic, as she receives therapy for Apraxia of speech. They were joined my members of the Rebel Legion, who came in costume as several characters from the Star Wars movies, which the kids love meeting!

RiteCare families donated several beautiful raffle baskets, which raised an additional $400, and many families made generous donations throughout the day.

Kicking off the Walk, RiteCare dad Tin Tran spoke about how his son Josepth got on the waiting list shortly after birth for speech therapy, and has worked with RiteCare clinician Miss Korey on his speech. Today, he uses an augmentative alternative communication (AAC) device to help with his speech. Tin said that he never thought he’d see a day when his son could say “I love you Dad,” but not only has Joseph been able to express what he wants, he can communicate through his device to make himself understood. He continues to receive therapy and continues to expand his communication skills thanks to RiteCare speech therapy.

“We never thought Joseph would be able to say, ‘I love you,” said RiteCare dad Tin Tran.”

With that, walkers were off, with most walking to the playground across the park, and a few walking some or all of the entire trail around Lake Zorinsky.

This year, WalkRite for RiteCare has raised $6,000 toward the Scottish Rite Foundation of Omaha’s commitment to speech therapy at the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute.