Patricia (Pattie) Rosenlund has worked at Easter Seals Rio Grande Valley for the past 14 years. During the first six years, she served as the Director of Program Services. Since then and currently, she serves as the Executive Director. Rosenlund knows families who have children with a disability sometimes have to work harder to achieve their hopes and dreams. They have to seek and create opportunities for their child to be included in the community.
In her role as Executive Director, Rosenlund believes working with Easter Seals families is not work at all—it is a way of living and being part of something bigger and more important than a job. This passion shows through in Rosenlund’s drive to help meet families’ needs, regardless of their struggles and challenges. She believes all families have the same hopes and dreams for their children in wanting what is best for their child quality childcare, quality early learning and opportunities to develop friendships and be part of their community.
Rosenlund has conducted several interviews with local media to share the message that parents should not wait to see if their child “grows out of it”. That therapy can be part of the family routines and that the gains are not only due to the therapy visits with the professional but most importantly, the on-going practices that the family does during their everyday routines, between visits. In addition to benefitting families, early intervention services benefits communities as well when children get the supports they need early, more costly intervention can be avoided in the future.
Rosenlund earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Special Education and a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She has spent 10 years teaching and working with children in a variety of settings, including elementary and middle school public schools, a University demonstration school and mental health facilities
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