Easterseals Introduces 2026 5K Your Way Ambassador

Services for a lifetime -- that is a guiding principle at Easterseals Delaware & Maryland’s Eastern Shore. For families like nine-year-old Martin Colin Gonzalez, who has been receiving Children’s Therapy Services since he was six months old, it is more than a saying; it is a promise.

“We have been with Easterseals for as long as I can remember. They are like family,” Martin’s mom, Jhazmin Colin-Gonzalez, of Salisbury, MD, says. “We love everything about Easterseals. We find comfort with Martin going there and doing what he needs to do.”

When Martin was only three months old, Jhazmin noticed something was off. She trusted her instinct and took him to the emergency room, where they discovered Martin had already experienced two seizures. After his epilepsy diagnosis and his delay in meeting his milestones, Jhazmin sought out Easterseals Children’s Therapy. Early on, they helped him lift his head, sit up, work through feeding difficulties, and celebrate as he said his first words and took his first steps.

Over the years, through many medical illnesses and new diagnoses, Easterseals has been by Martin’s and his family’s side, helping Martin regain and develop skills he has lost due to these complications. Now, Easterseals is working with Martin on writing, attending to tasks for extended periods, fine-motor skills like puzzles, and walking with flat feet.

“To all the other parents out there, keep on trying and don’t give up,” Jhazmin says. “Even if you have a frustrating day, it is okay. Take a break and try again tomorrow. You are doing a good job!”

Easterseals is delighted to announce that Martin will serve as this year’s ambassador for the reimagined “5K Your Way” event. Beautiful course, fully accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and athletes of all abilities.

It will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., at Salisbury Bible Fellowship.

Registration for this year’s 5K Your Way event is available at www.5Kyourway.net. For more information, contact Pamelyn Manocchio at pmanocchio@esdel.org.