More than 500 participants are expected to turn out for a walk-a-thon at Liberty Station at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17 to raise awareness and fund research for Angelman Syndrome (AS), a neurological disorder largely misdiagnosed as either autism or cerebral palsy.
The San Diego walk is part of a greater simultaneous 19-city national event.
People with Angelman Syndrome are developmentally delayed, have difficulty with balance and walking, are unable to speak and often experience seizures.
Among those afflicted is 6-year-old Ryan Ravellette of Point Loma. Ryan can walk and has a positive temperament but, typical of Angelman children, has yet to speak. To communicate, he uses his hand to guide adults and his smile to show his happiness.
“As a mother of a child with Angelman, as well as a typical daughter, I can tell you there is equal reward in parenting both,” said Ryan’s mother, Susan Ravellette. “The challenges come from educating others about his unique attributes and needs, which is why this walk is so critical,” she said.
Susan and her husband, Steve ” a deputy sheriff for San Diego County ” reach out to parents who may not be aware their child may have been born with AS. The prevalence of AS is estimated to be 1 in 15,000 live births, with 1,200 confirmed diagnoses nationally. There are about 25 diagnosed cases in San Diego County.
Saturday’s walk-a-thon happens at NTC Park on Womble Road, Liberty Station. For more information, call Susan Ravellette at (619) 806-9118, or visit www.angelman.org.