This handsome smiling preteen is Dustin.

He represents the 600 "kids at KIDS" who will benefit from the funds raised at the 2008 Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center 's Walk and Roll on May 17th.

Dustin was born with a condition which accounts for many physical challenges. He is wheel chair bound and his spasticity makes every aspect of his life difficult. At the KIDS Center Dustin benefits from traditional physical, occupational, and speech therapies to help him overcome the  barriers to performing daily activities which able- bodied kids take for granted.

His parents adopted Dustin knowing that they would be facing significant challenges. At the KIDS Center they found a supportive "family' to guide them on their journey and to help them see the ability in their son's disability. Our therapists and staff  empowered them and supplied  the  hope for securing Dustin's future.

In spite of his physical constraints Dustin has a solid  IQ. Innovative approaches at the KIDS Center have helped train him to use an augmentative speech device. He is a whiz at programming his Dynavox and has a lot to say , especially about his favorite team, Tennessee!!!!

Dustin's smile is contagious. His spirited enthusiasm for life is the motivation for my participation in the WALK AND ROLL. I hope my involvement encourages him and the other kids at KIDS to recognize that they have the abilities to overcome their  disabilities. 

Their success is not without  a cost. The Center has a mission to never turn a kid away if their family lacks the ability to pay. We, therefore, experience an annual budget deficit of $600,000. The average "funding gap" is $1000 for every child we subsidize. The deficit is met by donors through fund raisers such as the annual WALK & ROLL.

This year my  goal is to raise  (with your help) enough money to subsidize 5 kids so that they can continue receiving services at the center where we see the ability in disability. I appreciate any donation you can make to help reach this lofty goal.

If charging online is uncomfortable, you can send your check (payable to the CPKIDS Center) to me at 1763 Casselberry Rd, Louisville, 40205.

Thank you in advance for your generosity,

Ron Lehocky