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GREENWICH, Conn. FOX News Channel host Gretchen Carlson will help lead the sixth annual Walk in the Park for Abilis this Sunday, Oct. 23, at Greenwich Point Park. The walk is the largest community event of the year for Abilis, a nonprofit serving Greenwich-Stamford area residents with developmental disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome.
The Greenwich mother of two is the walks honorary chairwoman. Carlson is a co-anchor of the morning show Fox and Friends and also a regular contributor on Thursday nights to The OReilly Factor with Bill OReilly.
"Any parent knows the most important treasure of their life is a child, Carlson said. I am honored, as a mom myself, to support Abilis in walking for a better future for all of the families Abilis so generously serves."
Dianna Downs Smith of Greenwich is chairwoman of the event.
Also on hand will be Greenwich resident and mother of three Afton Fraser, the co-author of Point to Happy (2011, Workman Publishing), an interactive picture book for young children with an autism spectrum disorder. She wrote the book with her mother and sister after discovering that there were numerous books for professionals and family members about autism, but none written expressly for children themselves.
Being the kind of family we are, we said: Lets make one! said Fraser. Her 9-year-old son, Griffin, has autism. Miriam Smith, Ms. Frasers mother and the co-author of the book, also is expected to take part in the walk.
The Walk in the Park raises funds and awareness for Abilis (pronounced ABLE-ISS), the nonprofit formerly known as ARC. Founded in 1951, Abilis serves hundreds people of all ages with developmental disabilities. The agency also provides advocacy and support for their families.
The day starts at 10:30 with registration and kid-friendly activities such as a bounce castle, kids crafts, face painting and hair designs for children and costumed characters. The walk follows at noon with a one-mile stroll or roll through Greenwich's beautiful shoreline park. All are welcome: The Walk is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
Teams and individual walkers are encouraged to register online at www.abilis.us/walk. Those raising $50 or more will receive a Walk T-shirt.
Abilis is the only nonprofit in Greenwich and Stamford that provides comprehensive services to people of all ages with developmental disabilities. Support ranges from therapy and education for children to help them develop needed skills, to basic housing, transportation, medical support, employment training and placement services and recreation activities for adults.
In addition to serving people with developmental disabilities, Abilis professionals evaluate children from birth to age 3 with developmental delays and give families strategies to help them catch up. About 60 percent of children who receive this help enter kindergarten at comparable development to their peers, reducing the need for costly special education services.
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