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A special publication for supporters of Kennedy Krieger Institute • Vol. 10, Issue 1 • Summer 2013
Even In The Cold, Runners Warmed Hearts Inaugural Baltimore Running Festival Charity Team Raises Over $92k As a result of a shared vision between physical therapist Erin Michael and her co-workers at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at Kennedy Krieger, the first year for the Institute’s Charity Team at the 2012 Baltimore Running Festival was a great success and raised more than $92,000. The event began on Friday evening at a carb-loading pasta party with food donated by Sabatino’s Italian Restaurant. Then, early Saturday morning, more than 250 people supported the Kennedy Krieger charity team by running or volunteering at the team tent and water stop. Seven individuals from the International Center for Spinal Karen Sersen, left, and therapist Nia Wallace-Clennon cheer as Jerry Sersen prepares to drop his walking sticks and cross the finish line.
Cord Injury made history as the first group of patients to participate in the running festival. Portions of the funds raised were used to purchase handcycles that will be used by patients in future races, and a Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) device designed to stimulate major leg muscle groups Marshall Garber shows off his medal with therapist to facilitate walking. Remaining Erin Michael. proceeds have been used to help kick-start the 2013 Baltimore Running Festival team effort, create a new Racing Scholarship Program to support the training needs of patients who show an interest and dedication to racing, and support additional programs at the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury and Kennedy Krieger.
Donations Lead to New Playground for Students with Autism Thanks to your support, students in the specialized autism education program at the Institute’s Greenspring campus are now enjoying a custom state-of-the-art playground specifically designed for children with autism. The playground was designed to accommodate the active movement and creative play critical to those with autism, and offers a place for fun, fitness, multi-sensory exploration, and social interaction. The space also includes quiet areas for students who are easily overstimulated, such as a tunnel and a picnic table with an umbrella. The vision for the playground began in 2008, when Michael Delia, educational director at Kennedy Krieger, and Susan Schaffer, manager of occupational therapy services for Kennedy Krieger
School Programs, chaired a committee that worked with Playground Specialists to customdesign the playground. Student Danny Billiat takes a Michele Jacobs, who served as the spin on the new equipment. LEAP Parent Association president at the time, kick-started the fundraising efforts through a Race for Education initiative, and additional funds were donated by individuals—including an impressive $15,000 from LEAP families and staff members—and foundations, including the Pearson Charitable Foundation, the Rite Aid Foundation, The Herbert Continued on page 4