For Immediate Release

Disability nonprofit, Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania announces 2023 Walk With Me Pittsburgh and Child Ambassador, Grant Cogley

March 2, 2023

Media Contact:
Colleen Felentzer
cfelentzer@eastersealswcpenna.org
412-281-7244
https://www.easterseals.com/wcpenna/

Lori McCann
lmccann@eastersealswcpenna.org
412-281-7244
https://www.easterseals.com/wcpenna/

  Disability nonprofit, Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania announces 2023 Walk With Me Pittsburgh and Child Ambassador, Grant Cogley

Pittsburgh, PA, March 6, 2023:  Grant Cogley, or “G Man” as his family calls him, was diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, a severe seizure disorder, shortly after his first birthday.  In addition to seizures, Grant has global developmental delay and is autistic. As his seizures increased and milestones were being missed or lost, it became clear that the traditional preschool setting wasn’t going to work.  Enter Easterseals. 

Since starting Easterseals at 3 years old, Grant has grown more than his family could imagine.  When first enrolled, Grant was nonverbal and unable to communicate his wants and needs.  Grant’s mother, Kayla Cogley states, “just two short years later, Grant now communicates simple everyday things like wanting a drink of water or choosing what he’d like for breakfast.  It may not be “normal”, but it is Grant’s way and the family is forever grateful.” 

We are pleased to announce that Grant will be 2023 Child Ambassador.  Last year, Easterseals was well represented by our 2022 Child Ambassador, Avery Reynolds who will also be joining us the day of the event. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Avery and her family, Danielle and Dan Reynolds.

Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania (ESWCPA) is not only working on making the lives of those with disabilities and other special needs 100% inclusive, accessible and equitable but. they are also rolling right along on their plans for 2023 Walk With Me Pittsburgh.  By popular demand, the Walk will once again be at Kennywood Park on Saturday, May 20, 2023.  Families participating in the Walk will also have the opportunity to spend the rest of the day riding, rolling and enjoying all that Kennywood has to offer as part of their registration fee.  All proceeds will help Easterseals provide programs and services for individuals with disabilities and other special needs.

"Walk With Me has been a vital component to our grassroots efforts that has allowed Easterseals to provide programs and services in our local communities" says Lori McCann - Vice President – Development.   Lori, continues, “In the wake of the CoVID 19 pandemic, it's more crucial now to support this effort.  We hope the local community will join us for an exhilarating day of fun on May 20th in support of this mission-driven event."

Walk With Me Pittsburgh Details

What: Walk With Me Pittsburgh

Where: Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, PA 

When: Saturday, May 20, 2023, Registration begins 8:00 AM, Walk kicks off at 9:15 AM, Post Walk Celebration at 10:00.  Event ends at 11:30. Enjoy Kennywood for the balance of the day (Park closes at 7 PM)!

How to Register:  www.walkwithme.org/pittsburgh

Registration Fee:  $50, includes T-shirt, refreshments before and after the Walk, entertainment and an all- day pass to Kennywood (usually priced at $54.99)

“At Easterseals, the very heart of our mission is to build a more inclusive world, one that ensures those with disabilities are welcomed and provided with every opportunity to succeed. And a big part of that is helping members of the disability community with the services, programs and activities that are essential parts of living a full, happy and independent life,” states Colleen Felentzer, Communications and Events Specialist.

Don't forget your Dramamine!

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Easterseals Western and Central Pennsylvania is leading the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities, families and communities by focusing on five “E’s” - Enriching Education, Enhancing Health, Expanding Employment, Engaging Community and Elevating Transportation. Through well-designed programs and activities based on best practices; early intervention and autism services coupled with medical rehabilitation assistance; workforce training and job placement; and community living, camping and recreation opportunities; and respite assistance among a myriad of other services, Easterseals continues towards accomplishing its mission.  For over 103 years, Easterseals has been and will continue to be the indispensable resource for disabilities for our community.

For more information on ESWCPA and those we serve, visit www.eastersealswcpenna.org  or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EastersealsWCPA/.

Media members are invited to join us and report on this event.   If you are interested, please email cfelentzer@eastersealswcpenna.org.

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