10,000 Steps a Day for My Son — and for the Future of CP Research
This September, I'm lacing up my sneakers and pledging 10,000 steps a day for someone who inspires me every single day — my son Zach. Born with Cerebral Palsy, he’s taken life head-on with grit, humor, and a sense of adventure. Despite needing a power wheelchair to get around, that hasn't stopped him from earning his Eagle Scout rank, rocking out at EDM concerts across Madison and Chicago (he’s a huge Alan Walker, Zedd, and Illenium fan), and living independently while earning his computer science degree. Today, he works at Epic as a software developer — and yes, I’m lucky enough to call him both my son and coworker!
I’m walking to celebrate how far he’s come — and to help pave the way for future breakthroughs in CP research and assistive technology that can make life even more accessible, inclusive, and empowering for people like him.
🧠 Why STEPtember Matters
Cerebral Palsy affects 18 million people around the world, yet it remains one of the most underfunded areas of medical research. The Cerebral Palsy Alliance Research Foundation (CPARF) is changing that. They invest in life-changing research and cutting-edge assistive technology that helps people with disabilities live more independently, manage chronic pain without opioids, and fully participate in work, school, and community life.
Through initiatives like their tech accelerator, Remarkable US, CPARF is helping to create innovative tools that improve lives — not just for people with CP, but for aging populations, people with other disabilities, and really, society as a whole.
💚 How You Can Help
Your donation supports research and tech that makes a real, lasting difference. Together, we can build a more inclusive world where everyone — no matter their mobility, ability, or circumstances — has the tools to thrive.
Thank you for stepping up with me this STEPtember!
Amount raised for cerebral palsy and beyond
My Steps
Steps
422,490
My goal
300,000
Thank you to my supporters
$158
Cparf Board Of Directors Matched
$158
Anonymous
$106
Kate Siefert
$106
Aristocrat Matched
$106
Anonymous
$106
Tom Superfan
$53
Chris
$53
Tom Yosick
$53
Craig Crutcher
$53
Eric
$53
Aristocrat Matched
$53
Kelly Strawman
$53
Jill Siefert
$53
Kirkland & Ellis Matched
Your donation has been matched by Kirkland & Ellis! We are proud to join you in raising funds for research and technology innovation.
$53
Joe Mcguire
$52
Kirkland & Ellis Matched
Your donation has been matched by Kirkland & Ellis! We are proud to join you in raising funds for research and technology innovation.
$52
Cheryl Bourne
$50
Meg Bohse
$50
Bonnie Gee Yosick
Go Tom!
$26
Jessica Debolt
$26
Kirkland & Ellis Matched
Your donation has been matched by Kirkland & Ellis! We are proud to join you in raising funds for research and technology innovation.
$26
Carter Lux
Awesome challenge - good luck on this great cause.
$26
Kirkland & Ellis Matched
Your donation has been matched by Kirkland & Ellis! We are proud to join you in raising funds for research and technology innovation.
My Updates
Mid-Month Progress
Thursday 18th Sep
Hi everyone,
I wanted to thank you again for supporting my STEPtember challenge to raise money for cerebral palsy research! I'm halfway through the month, and I’ve been able to hit at least 10,000 steps every day so far, thanks to lots of walks around campus and a few long bike rides.
Last weekend I added 24,000 more steps by hiking a 12-mile stretch of the Ice Age Trail near Paoli. It was a great reminder of how beautiful Wisconsin is! The path wound through sun-dappled forests, native prairies, wetlands (with a wooden walkway), and cornfields (only in Wisconsin!), with occasional views of rolling farmland. The weather was perfect, though the mosquitoes definitely tried to keep me moving!
So far I'm at 237,156 steps for the month, and pretty proud of my progress towards the 300,000 step goal!
If you know a friend or family member who might also be interested in supporting this cause, feel free to pass along the link to my donation page: STEPtember - Tom Yosick
Thanks again for your generosity and encouragement—it really keeps me motivated to keep stepping!
Proud of you…. You’ve inspired me to get out and walk more in September