Declare Apraxia Awareness Day

May 23, 2017, as Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 23, 2017, as Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, May 23, 2017, marks the fifth annual Childhood Apraxia of Speech Day, dedicated to raising awareness of Childhood Apraxia of Speech, a particularly difficult, persistent, and severe speech and communication disorder in youngsters; and WHEREAS, The mission of the Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) is to strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with apraxia; this vital organization offers information and support related to Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS) on its website; and WHEREAS, CAS causes children to have extreme difficulty planning and producing the precise, highly refined and specific series of movements of the tongue, lips, jaw, and palate which are necessary for the production of proper speech; it is among the most severe of speech and communication problems in children; and WHEREAS, While the act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to most children, those with apraxia endure an incredible and lengthy struggle; although not life threatening, it is life altering as families are left to cope with the emotional, physical, and financial challenges of having a child diagnosed with CAS; and WHEREAS, Additionally, without appropriate intervention, children with CAS are at high risk for secondary impacts in literacy and other school-related skills; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to encourage insurance providers, schools, and other states to recognize the critical need to provide adequate speech therapy and other services so the impact of this disorder can be minimized and that affected children can grow into productive, contributing adult citizens; and WHEREAS, Every child should be afforded their best opportunity to develop speech; with early intervention and appropriate therapy, most children with CAS will learn to communicate with their very own voices; and WHEREAS, These children, as well as their families, deserve the highest respect of the people of the State of New York for their effort, determination and resilience in the face of such adversities; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 23, 2017, as Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.