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A black and white old photo where a therapist is helping a child with leg braces walk

History

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore began as The Delaware Society for Crippled Children in 1948, where it provided services for children in New Castle. Learn about our history here.

Watch the video above to discover the rich history of Easterseals Delaware & Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Our History

The National Easterseals began in 1919 with Ohio-Businessman Edgar Allen founded the National Society for Crippled Children, which would later become known as Easterseals. 

Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore began as The Delaware Society for Crippled Children in 1948, where it provided services for children in New Castle. In the following years, Camp Fairlee on Maryland’s Eastern Shore opened its doors for children and adults to experience recreational camp. 

Through the following decades, Easterseals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore expanded to provide innovative services at new locations throughout the state of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to meet the growing needs of the community. From providing innovative therapies to help children meet their milestones, to giving adults with disabilities and seniors a place in their community, Easterseals has pursued its growth in the direction of the community’s needs. 

In recent years, with the help of generous donors and tireless advocacy, Easterseals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore has increased its capacity to serve, by improving upon its facilities, cultivating a stronger workforce, and bringing support to families and caregivers. From the annual Volleyball Challenge to the Caregiver Conference to Walk With Me, Easterseals has sought to engage, inform, and help build a more inclusive community for us all to thrive in. 

Our Stories

Community Stories
  • A young child with a disability smiles at the camera

    Easterseals Treats People, Not Diagnoses

    Families like James’ turn to Easterseals not only for life-changing therapies, but for hope for their child’s future. Tracy and Jamie experienced that after James was diagnosed with Down syndrome.
  • A mother, father in a wheelchair and daughter look at the camera and smile

    Caring for Tish at Home with Easterseals

    Emory and Otisia “Tish” did not know in 1982 when they said those words “in sickness and in health” that sickness would come sooner than they thought. Though caregiving for Tish, who had her first stroke at 45, has not come without trials, it is Emory’s great attitude, support from family, and a team of caring professionals at an Easterseals Adult Day program, that has really made a huge impact in how they continue to live their lives.
  • Man with a disability in a wheel chair working in a library and smiling at the camera

    Alex's Perfect Job

    Alex landed his dream job shortly after graduation thanks to Easterseals Supported Employment program.
  • toddler boy with down syndrome walking on a assistive walking device

    Isaiah's Parents See Bright Future

    Blessings come in small packages. Latoya and Jean’s blessing came in the size of their first baby boy who was born with Down syndrome. Latoya went right to work getting him the services he needed and found the tools for success at Easterseals