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June 3, 2004

Easter Seals benefit a walk in theme park

From: Times Picayune, LA - Jun 3, 2004

Mandeville girl, 16, to be 'ambassador'

Thursday, June 03, 2004
By Kathy Steffan
St. Tammany bureau

Mandeville resident Katie Brewster may not be able to use words to express her excitement about being an honorary ambassador in this year's Easter Seals "Walk With Me" event, but she doesn't have to.

Her enthusiasm is evident in her bubbly personality, her mother, Michelle Anderson, said. Katie expresses her eagerness for the June 13 event through sign language.

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Just the mention of Six Flags puts a smile on her face, Anderson said.

Katie, 16, will join hundreds of walkers from the New Orleans area expected to take part in "Walk With Me" at Six Flags in New Orleans.

The event is designed to raise awareness and money for people with disabilities.

Katie, who was born with cerebral palsy, was selected to participate as an honorary ambassador through the Easter Seals of Covington, where she has been a client for several years.

She will join dozens of other ambassadors from across the metro area.

As an honorary ambassador, Katie will encourage walkers to complete 1, 3 or 5 miles around the theme park.

New Orleans City Councilwoman Jackie Clarkson will lead the walkers, who raise money for Easter Seals before the event.

"We're looking forward to having hundreds of people discover firsthand how their efforts benefit others," Clarkson said. "They will get to see that kids and adults with disabilities are people just like anyone else, people trying to reach their goals and be their personal best."

About 58,000 children and adults in the New Orleans area have a disability.

More than 500 of those live on the north shore. "We are glad Katie is going to be able to raise awareness here on the north shore," Anderson said.

Money raised in the event will support a wide range of Easter Seals programs designed to help people with disabilities lead satisfying and productive lives.

Easter Seals benefits include job training and placement, improving physical mobility, learning basic living skills and improving developmental delays.

"Easter Seals services have helped pave the way for Katie to be able to live the best quality of life she can and to reach her greatest potential," Anderson said. "We are very grateful for what Easter Seals has done for Katie." Katie is a student at Mandeville Junior High School. She is very social, said her mother. "She loves school and being around her friends. So naturally, serving as an ambassador at the event is a perfect fit for her," she said.

The walk begins at 8 a.m. in the Six Flags parking lot and is followed by a party with food, live music, games, prizes and a day of fun at Six Flags. Individuals can still join in the effort. Participants are encouraged to form teams of families, co-workers and friends.

Individual walkers who raise $50 in pledges receive a "Walk With Me" T-shirt and free admission to the theme park.

For information or to register for the event call (504) 523-7325 or visit www.walkwithme.org.

Katie Brewster of Mandeville is the honorary ambassador of the Walk With Me event to benefit Easter Seals. The walk will be June 13 at Six Flags in New Orleans.

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