Stories That Count
Kyle, age 7
Easter Seals 2011 National Child Representative
Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
Kyle is in first grade at his neighborhood school, and teachers say he may be able to live independently someday an idea his mom, Stephanie wasn't sure was possible when he was diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, a form of autism.
Stephanie says Kyle's progress is a result of the early start he got at Easter Seals. He continues to receive 30 hours of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy each week.
"We were able to build such a strong foundation for him," she says. "Without that, I don't think he'd be anywhere near where he is today. We're just so thankful for Easter Seals."
Ivy Joy, age 5
Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region (Chicago)
At four months, Ivy Joy was diagnosed with hemi paresis, or weakness in the muscle on her right side. An MRI and CT scan showed Ivy had a stroke before she was born. At Easter Seals in Villa Park, Ivy received physical therapy at 6 months, occupational therapy at 8 months and was walking by age 1. Ivy was a chatterbox after just 9 months of speech therapy.
"We don't know what we would have done if it hadn't started therapy so early and if it hadn't been Easter Seals," said her mom, Missy.
Now, Ivy is taking the bus to preschool, where she still receives physical, occupational, and speech therapy. She's taking ballet and even performed at her last recital without an aide! Ivy will be a busy girl this summer, as she wants to take on therapeutic riding, swimming lessons and tap dance.
Brothers Scott and Thomas, ages 5 and 6
Easter Seals Southern California (Los Angeles)
Mary-Helen and Peter enrolled their grandsons, Thomas and Scott, at Easter Seals Child Development Center (CDC) for daycare. There, Easter Seals therapists noticed something was not quite right and diagnosed both Thomas and Scott with special needs, including speech and language delays.
The boys excelled because of the early help they got at Easter Seals, and are now developmentally with their peers. Thomas graduated kindergarten in June 2009 and Scott in 2010.
"I'm so thankful for Easter Seals and their staff, they have helped my grandsons tremendously," says Peter. "I am very committed to Easter Seals and strongly believe in its mission to support all people with disabilities and special needs and their families."
Conner, age 3
Easter Seals Capper Foundation (Topeka)
Soon after Conner was born, his parents, Mark and Michelle noticed that Conner would only look and turn his head in one direction. Conner was diagnosed with a condition where half of his brain didn't develop. He spent much of his day napping from the 30+ seizures had every day.
After surgery that disconnected the problem side of his brain, Conner started to notice the world around him. He was interested in his toys, later took his first steps, and is now walking and running!
Conner's left side is still weak, so occupational therapists at Easter Seals Capper Foundation are working to help him gain use of his left hand and arm and improve his walking abilities and speech therapists at are helped him begin to form sounds.
Now, at three, Conner is making steady progress in Capper's Kidlink Preschool & Childcare Program. He's making new friends, laughing, smiling and learning to talk!
Triplets Evan, Elliott, and Emerson, age 5
Easter Seals Southeast & Central Ohio (Columbus)
Because Evan, Elliott, and Emerson were born eight weeks prematurely, their parents knew to look for complications with their sons' development. When the boys first came to Easter Seals, they were two years old and had little to no communication skills. They were diagnosed with global developmental delays, including significant speech and language delays.
The boys received services through the Early Intervention program and after a few short months, they began expressing their wants verbally instead of gesturing. The Early Intervention program also helped them develop new social skills. The progress they’ve made through Easter Seals has allowed them to be developmentally on track and they will no longer need special education or therapies.
