Two mothers of disabled children were overwhelmed with emotion Thursday as Easter Seals West Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center staff members explained the progress their kids have made as patients of the center during the Easter Seals Fun Walk’s kickoff event.

During the kickoff event, Easter Seals West Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center introduced 4-year-old Miles Knox, who has autism, and 3-year-old Kaylee Goodman, who has cerebral palsy, as ambassadors of the Easter Seals Fun Walk scheduled for April 11. Held at the memorial stadium from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., the walk funds operational costs for the center, which strives to give all people with disabilities equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play.

“None of it would be would be possible without your donation, your participation and your gifts,” Rachel Ratcliff, the program coordinator of Easter Seals West Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center, said. “We depend on the gifts of the community.”

The group is hoping to raise at least $16,000 to fund their special programs for adults and children.

When Kaylee joined the pre-school program at the Easter Seals center in late November, she could not stand and could only sit up if she used her fingertips to balance herself. After months of therapy, Kaylee is now able to sit up independently, wave, crawl and more.

According to the rehabilitation center’s staff, a physical therapist announced that with continued treatment from the center, she would be able to walk.

“I feel very privileged that she’s in here and blessed because it helped her a lot,” Kaylee’s mother Brandy Goodman said with a broken voice as she began to cry. “I like seeing her make progress.”

Last year, Miles was enrolled in center’s pre-school program as a non-communicative child. Miles has become more vocal since he began the program and will be enrolled in a mainstream head start school.

Miles’s mother, Charlotte Knox, said she is thankful for the staff that has helped her youngest son progress to this stage he is now.

“It’s very touching,” Charlotte said as she wiped away tears. “I do not take anything for granted.”

Registration for the Easter Seals Fun Walk begins at 9 a.m. on April 11.

It costs $20 to register a team or individual. Anyone younger than 12-years-old, can register for free.

For more information, call the Easter Seals West Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center at 872-8421.