People with developmental disabilities often experience stigma and discrimination, and tend to receive poor quality services, especially when it comes to their health care and day-to-day living needs.

One Colorado man is trying to help the cause of the developmentally disabled by bringing attention to their needs, and he’s doing it in a very unique way.

Andy Rybak, of Aguilar, Colorado, age 73, is carrying a large wooden cross through some 40 miles of walkable roadway in southern Colorado. The cross is 9 feet high, 6 feet across, and weighs 100 pounds.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/6CL4mFe0Tco

The walk began today (Thursday, April 7, 2022) in downtown Aguilar. Rybak plans to walk along the service roads of I-25 North to Pueblo. Rybak’s goal is to walk 5 miles a day for 8 consecutive days, ending on Good Friday, April 15th, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pueblo.

Rybak has been planning this event for over a year and built the cross himself. He wants to raise money that will benefit Jane’s Home, a not-for-profit that provides senior age, developmentally disabled adults with housing in a home-like setting, as well as individualized, professional care around-the-clock. 

​Tax-deductible donations can be made on the special website that’s been set-up for this event, WalkAcrossUSA.org

Rybak’s wife of over 51 years, Diana Rybak, is driving a support vehicle to keep an eye on her husband while he does the walk.

For more information, call 719-941-0152. Or, email Info@WalkAcrossUSA.org

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Website: WalkAcrossUSA.org